By Emilie St. John
Contributing Writer
INGLEWOOD — City Councilwoman Gloria Gray has requested an extended leave from her duties as a member of the City Council.
During the March 3 City Council meeting, Mayor James T. Butts Jr. requested an extended absence for Gray under a mayoral initiative.
According to the city attorney’s office, Gray last attended a regularly scheduled council meeting on Feb. 3. She will likely miss the next several meetings in order to attend to a personal health issue. Should her absence extend to a period longer than 60 days, she would have to vacate her office.
By using a mayoral initiative to request Gray’s leave, the vacating office provision of the city code does not apply.
Gray’s absence from the City Council leaves residents in Council District 1 without a voice on the many matters that affect the city’s residents.
Under a resolution approved by the council, Gray may be absent from City Council meetings through May 5, according to Derald Brenneman, chief assistant city attorney.
Gray, who also sits on the West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors, attend ed the Metropolitan Water District’s representative caucus meeting March 4. She represent the West Basin on the Metropolitan Water District board.
Gray is under fire from some residents who have asked the Los Angeles County district attorney and state Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate her for holding two elective offices at the same time.
“District 1 is one of Inglewood’s highest voting and tax-contributing districts,” said Yolanda Davidson, who is a longtime resident of District 1. “Residents show up and speak during public comment on development, public safety, infrastructure, and budget decisions and District 1 currently has no active voice at the dais.
“This ongoing situation also underscores why concerns have been raised in the past regarding the compatibility of holding multiple public offices,” Davidson added. “Complaints have been filed questioning whether the demands of serving in dual governmental roles can impact effective representation.”
Gray has not attended a City Council meeting in person since December.
After being elected to the City Council in 2022, she began attending West Basin meetings remotely from her home.
Emilie St. John is a freelance journalist covering the areas of Carson, Compton, Inglewood and Willowbrook. Send tips to her at emiliesaintjohn@gmail.com.
