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Corfu mayor gets doctor's note, but it's unclear if he will take leave of absence

By Howard B. Owens

Corfu Mayor Ralph Peterson has a doctor's note excusing him from official duties for the next four months.

It's unclear, however, if Peterson intends to follow his doctor's advice and take a leave of absence.

Peterson's girlfriend reportedly dropped the note off at the village hall on Thursday. There was no letter with the doctor's note indicating what Peterson intended to do.

The note from a Pembroke doctor reads simply, "To Whom it May Concern: Ralph Peterson is a patient in our practice who has been advised to take a medical leave of absence until January 2, 2014."

Trustee Ken Lauer said he's unsure himself if Peterson is taking a leave of absence or just had the note dropped off.

"Our assumption initially was this was him stating he wouldn't be back until January second, but upon reflection I think we need a formal letter stating as much," Lauer said.

Lauer said Sandra Thomas, village clerk, sent a note to village attorney Mark Boylan on Friday asking whether the note should be treated as a notice of a leave of absence, but Boylan has not yet responded.

Peterson's first nine months in office have been tumultuous with numerous controversies. Within the past month, trustees voted unanimously to ask that he resign.

If Peterson didn't resign, the trustees voted, they would seek his ouster through the NYS Supreme Court.

On Monday, after learning that Peterson was hospitalized, reportedly for a stress-related condition, the board agreed to delay petitioning the State Supreme Court until Peterson was in better health.

Lauer said Peterson's doctor's note is just a variable in the process, but as far as he's concerned, the board should continue to pursue the mayor's resignation or seek his removal from office.

Cheryl Saville

Instead of simply resigning he now has done what politicians are so adept at doing. He passed the buck. The result will be the same, one hopes.

Aug 31, 2013, 5:48pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

"If Peterson didn't resign, the trustees voted, they would seek his ouster through the NYS Supreme Court."

To the trustees of Corfu: This man appears to have no intention of resigning. Begin your 'ouster' thru the court system, and THEN you MIGHT get a resignation. But, I wouldn't hold my breath on that, either.

Aug 31, 2013, 7:06pm Permalink
Al Graham

I personally think its just one more ploy of his. the timing is just to odd. If not and he really is stressed then its of his own making. Not one person has done one thing to Peterson! No lies have been told ,no racial slurs have been said. everything that has been reported is true! If he is stressed its from being exposed for the things he has done to people and the village.

Aug 31, 2013, 9:33pm Permalink

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