Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan listened to Tuesday’s City Council meeting over the phone while continuing to recover from a recent surgery.
Parham-Copelan also had surgery last November and spent time in an intensive care unit.
At the end of Tuesday’s meeting, Parham-Copelan spoke up and offered an update on her health.
“I want to say thank you for all your prayers and know that your mayor is fine,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you all in the chambers within the next meeting or so ... Thank you all for your time and your patience with me in my time of restoration and healing.”
In Parham-Copelan’s absence, Mayor Pro Tem Denese Shinholster led Tuesday’s meeting. Shinholster, the City Council member from District 3, led the first meeting of the month, as well.
The City Council has now had 18 regular meetings this year. Parham-Copelan has been present for 11 of those meetings, while Shinholster has led the other seven, with the mayor joining remotely for those meetings.
Shinholster also led four City Council meetings in 2025, with the mayor unable to attend in person.
Parham-Copelan, who turned 60 earlier this year, currently is in the first year of her third term.