ELSMERE, Ky. — An Elsmere city councilwoman who was just re-elected has missed more than 70% of public meetings in 2024, according to publicly available attendance records analyzed by WCPO 9 News.
Councilwoman Serena Owen has missed 13 of the 18 public meetings held this year through Nov. 12, including city council meetings and city caucus meetings.
Per documents on the city of Elsmere website, the last public meeting Owen attended was a June 4 caucus meeting.
WCPO has reached out to Owen multiple times for comment over the last two months.
She eventually responded to our inquiries over the phone Tuesday following a city council meeting she did not attend — her husband, Larry Owen, was in attendance, so we asked him to call her for us.
"There are several men who have been attacking me," Serena Owen said. "Attacking me on social media, defaming my character, spreading rumors and lies."
Owen named one of those men as Elsmere resident Eric Bunzow.
"I've heard rumors it's because of me. She's feeling threatened and intimidated by me," Bunzow, who denied threatening her, said. "It's not threatening when you're asking questions. That's all I've done."
When asked to describe the threats, Owen said Bunzow told her to, "... Show up [to the meetings]."
She said he legally carries a firearm with him at public meetings, which makes her feel uncomfortable.
Bunzow confirmed he open carries but said he has never made any threats toward Owen or anyone with his firearm.
When asked if she filed a report or complaint with Elsmere police, including the police chief who attends city public meetings, regarding the matter, she said no.
"I had near-perfect attendance in 2023," Owen said. "I want everyone who serves and everyone who attends our meetings to be safe."
"I think I've made more meetings than her [this year]," Bunzow said. "There have been meetings that haven't been able to meet the quorum."
"What other job in America can you have and miss that percentage of work and keep your job?" Andrew Myatt, another frustrated Elsmere resident, said. "You need to have somebody that's going to be there willing to be a voice."
Myatt ran against Owen as a write-in candidate for city council this November. He lost while she garnered the second most votes of any candidate.
"She was elected again. I hope that she just participates," Myatt said.
After Tuesday's council meeting, we asked Elsmere Mayor Pro Tem, Maria Vogt, if she knew why Owen had missed so many meetings.
"I have no idea. I've heard various reasons but I can't say myself," she said. "For our residents, that's why we're here. We vote and talk about things that are most important to them."
"You need to be there for the people. And, at this point, she's missed ... a lot this year," Bunzow said.
In an article by our news partner LINK nky, Owen described herself as a “... loving leader with a servant’s heart and a ‘win-win’ spirit.”
Owen previously served on the Erlanger-Elsmere School Board. Her prior experience also includes work for the Kentucky Voting Rights Coalition and the Erlanger-Elsmere Historical Society.
While Owen has not cast a vote since at least June, she told LINK nky her goals this term include improving parks, roads and sidewalks, encouraging the city’s businesses and economic growth and promoting education and public services.
To provide context to the extent of Councilwoman Owen's absences, WCPO 9 News has analyzed the attendance records of officials in surrounding Northern Kentucky cities through Oct. 9 of this year:
- Newport Board of Commissioners: 98.6% average attendance rate
- Covington Board of Commissioners: 97% average attendance rate
- Florence City Council: 82.3% average attendance rate
- Edgewood City Council: 89.5% average attendance rate
When asked about Owen's attendance record, Elsmere Mayor Marty Lenhof told WCPO 9 News, "No comment."
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