Councilwoman's decision on return awaited

Grovetown officials are waiting to hear whether a city council member who suffered a stroke in early December will be returning.

Mayor Dennis Trudeau said Councilwoman Marjorie Adams had a stroke Dec. 8.

"I have every hope and belief that she will be back for duty," Trudeau said. "I'm sure when she gets well, she'll be back."

Trudeau said there is no time frame as to when council members are required to take action to replace Adams.

It is up to her when, and if, she returns to the council. She has served on the city council since the early 1990s, City Clerk Shirley Beasley said.

"That would be her decision," Trudeau said.

If she is unable or unwilling to return, Beasley said a special election is required to replace Adams, whose term ends at the end of 2007. If her term has less than one year left, council members can appoint a replacement.

"She's under a doctor's care, so it's sort of an ongoing situation," Trudeau said.

Adams has been in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center since the stroke, which affected her right side and speech.

"I think she can understand you and recognize you and she tries to tell you, tries to talk to you, but her conversation is really slurred," said Trudeau, who has been visiting Adams.

Trudeau said two attempts to transfer her to an inpatient rehabilitation facility were unsuccessful because of infections.

However, Adams was successfully transferred during the weekend to a rehabilitation facility in west Augusta, Trudeau said.

All in all, Adams is progressing, Trudeau said, adding that she seems to be in fine spirits.

"I think she's going to be all right," he said. "We're looking forward to her coming back."