In recent weeks, there has been much speculation about Cortney Niland’s absence from city hall and her abrupt decision to not run for mayor. I have received many requests for details and information and rumors about what has transpired. Much of the interest has to do with the Duranguito debacle. There is much rumormongering and very little details.
Before I get into what I know let me share with you that the Niland issue has been difficult for me. It is difficult because it involves both public policy issues, i.e. the destruction of Duranguito to make way for the arena and not to mention her intent to run for mayor. However, it also involves personal issues for the Niland family. So, today, I am going to tip toe around the personal stuff and focus on dispelling as many of the rumors as I can.
First, although it seems that Niland’s vote and advocacy to keep the arena out of Duranguito is the reason for her absence from the city hall meetings, that is not the reason. The timing could not have been worse, but it is what it is.
Also, Cortney Niland intended to run for mayor. She held a fundraiser for the office run. However, as you all likely know by now, she is not seeking the mayor’s office.
Niland has missed at least three city hall meetings, citing a family emergency. The family emergency has to do with her husband, Jack Niland. Although I am aware of the various rumors, it is important to note that none have been substantiated.
However, Cortney Niland filed for divorce on February 10. Her husband, Jack was issued a citation (summons) on the sixteenth.
This is the not the first time that Cortney Niland files a divorce petition against her husband. She previously filed one on October 14, 2015. A little over a month later, she withdrew the divorce petition. The most recent divorce filing refers to the children, unlike the first petition she filed in 2015.
At this point this is all the information that I have been able to verify.
It is clear from this, that her decision to not run for office, her missed meetings, and more importantly the Duranguito controversy are not the reasons for her absences.
Based on this information I see no reason to continue looking for details about her missed meetings. At this point it seems that the Duranguito debacle had nothing to do with her absence at city hall. The rest is personal issues that are best settled by the family.
