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Mayor David Goins was back in the Alton City Council chamber Monday for this week’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
Goins returned after missing both the Committee of the Whole meeting and City Council meeting during the week of July 6. The majority of the City Council said at the time that they were surprised when Goins did not attend those meetings.
During Monday's meeting, Goins gave no explanation for his absence two weeks prior, and he declined an interview request after Monday's meeting.
Goins has not responded to multiple requests from The Telegraph during the ensuing two weeks to explain the reason for his unannounced leave.
At the July 6 meeting, Corporate Counsel Heidi Eckert revealed the mayor would not be present for that week’s Committee of the Whole or Alton City Council meetings when Alderman Michael Velloff requested to enter closed session.
Several City Council members and City staff told The Telegraph it was communicated to them only hours before the July 6 meeting that Goins would be absent. Some members were surprised enough that they shared their own upcoming absences with The Telegraph, clarifying that those absences had been shared weeks in advance with all members.
This marked the first time Goins missed a Committee of the Whole or City Council meeting in 2026.
David Goins' online statement doesn't answer concerns
On July 13, Goins posted a statement online that somewhat addressed his absence, and he told his staff not to send the statement to The Telegraph, local radio, or local TV.
Council Coordinator Beth Bear confirmed the statement published online came from Goins.
The Telegraph waited to publish a story on the press release in an attempt to hear from Goins directly, with the goal of verifying claims in the release. The Telegraph provided Goins an additional opportunity to comment after Monday’s meeting.
In Goins' online statement, he claimed that the "established process was followed," including informing Mayor Pro Tempore Stephanie Elliott of his absence, and that city functions "continued."
Goins provided no details or information to support the claim that "the established process was followed."
When The Telegraph asked Elliott if she was notified in advance of Goins' absence, Elliott declined to comment.
The statement also characterized the issue as a “manufactured controversy” in which no policy violation or misdeed occurred, describing headlines and community responses as misleading.
Goins' statement does not directly address concerns from elected officials, including council members and other city leaders, that they were unaware of his departure until the day he left.
City Council members John Meehan and Rosetta "Rosie" Brown and City Clerk Lauren Wilson all said they were unaware of Goins' departure for the week until the afternoon of July 6.
"There was nothing unusual, improper, or irresponsible about my scheduled time off," Goins' statement said. "The appropriate individuals knew I would be away."
Alton City Council members are scheduled to return to their chambers Wednesday for the next Council meeting.
