Mayor Keith Gaskin sat at his desk Tuesday afternoon shuffling through documents that would come up for discussion at that evening’s city council meeting.
Clearly visible on his desk was a draft of the city’s redistricting plan. The council was also set to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
“I’ve been trying to get back up to speed from the time I’ve been off,” Gaskin told The Dispatch. “… It was a terrible time to have to take off.”
Tuesday was Gaskin’s first day back from a two-week health absence. Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens, who represents Ward 2 on the council, performed mayoral duties during that time.
When Gaskin’s absence began abruptly Aug. 19, Angela Jones, his executive administrative assistant, explained in an email to council members the break was due to cholesterol.
“That was a part of it. Obviously cholesterol doesn’t sideline you by itself,” Gaskin said Tuesday. “… Through requests from my doctor and family, I took two weeks off for rest and for health reasons so I could continue to function in this job at the level it needs to work at. … It’s not a life-threatening illness. It’s basically dealing with exhaustion and sleep deprivation.”
He said he was not hospitalized at any point during his absence.
“The time off helped me with reflection, study and getting much-needed rest,” he said.
Gaskin said he discussed details of his health issues with department heads Tuesday morning, and he plans to give the public a “full explanation” for his absence in the “near future.” While he is back working full-time, he said he would manage his schedule differently, possibly with fewer public appearances.
He also sought to assure citizens he is up for the task.
“What I can tell them now is I’m taking better care of myself,” Gaskin said. “I will be doing the work going forward. If any constituent has a question or concern, they are welcome to ask me about it. When you’re in a public position like this, you need to be completely honest and forthright. If I didn’t think I could do the job, I wouldn’t be here.”
Mickens told The Dispatch it’s good to have Gaskin back, despite the two men’s sometimes very public differences on city policy. He hopes Gaskin’s “new energy” translates into more unity.
“The man hadn’t had a vacation in the three years he’s been here. He needed a break,” Mickens said. “I saw a new mayor this morning when he came to City Hall – one who is willing to work with the vice mayor and the council.”
Gaskin was first elected in 2021 and has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection next year. He did not reveal Tuesday how his health issues will factor into that decision.
“I will be addressing that later, as well,” he said.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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