Update: Here's a statement from Mayor Lee Leffingwell on his dais mate, Bill Spelman:
“Bill is a good friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as he works through this difficult process. All of us at City Hall will be working closely with Bill to make sure he and his staff have all the support they need during this time. I look forward to having him back on the dais as soon as he is able.”
Original post: Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman will be absent from the dais for weeks as he deals with a pancreatic tumor, according to a statement just released from his office.
“Just removing the tumor may not be enough to solve the problem,” Spelman says in a statement. “We won't know what kind of follow-up attention I'll need until after surgery. But the doctors have assured me I can be in the classroom on the first day of the Fall semester, and I expect to get back on the council dais even sooner than that.”
In addition to his role as Place 5 City Council Member, Spelman also serves as a professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
The tumor was found last week, when Spelman was absent from the council dais. Spelman will be operated on at St. David's Medical Center tomorrow.
"Spelman's family is grateful for the support of friends and colleagues, and asks that well-wishers send thoughts and notes to Spelman’s city council office," the release states.
