Lioneld Jordan / Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
FAYETTEVILLE — Mayor Lioneld Jordan is at home while recovering from a heart procedure, but is expected to return to work within a few weeks.
Jordan’s medical procedure took place last week, according to a news release. A second procedure is required, and will soon be scheduled.
Officials said Jordan has been in daily contact with Susan Norton, the city’s chief of staff.
“Thank you to everyone for your heartfelt concern and well-wishes for Mayor Jordan,” Norton said in a prepared statement. “At this time, the mayor is focused on rest and recovery. Staff and I look forward to his return to the office and regular, full-time duties. Until then, we are honoring his request for privacy and limited contact, and we encourage members of our Fayetteville community to do the same.”
Jordan was absent from the April 26 City Council agenda-setting session. At the time, Vice Mayor Sarah Bunch served as chair of the session and said Jordan was sick.
Bunch is expected to lead the May 3 City Council meeting, said Lisa Thurber, the city’s director of communications.
Thurber said she does not expect Jordan to attend the meeting in person or virtually.
It would be Jordan’s first-ever absence from a City Council meeting, according to the Fayetteville Flyer’s council attendance records. He has been present at all 579 council meetings since 2001 when he began his first term as a City Council member. He served as the Ward 4, Position 2 representative from 2001 through 2008. Jordan has been mayor of Fayetteville since 2009.
Jordan is currently able to perform the basic required duties of the office. “Any matters considered to be very significant or potentially controversial will receive his direct approval or disapproval before action is taken,” according to the release.
