Terry Whitehead, who represents Ward 14 (west Mountain), has been absent from council meetings since December 2020. Social Sharing CBC News · Posted: Jun 10, 2021 10:58 AM ET | Last Updated: June 10 If councillors didn't extend leave of absence for Terry Whitehead (Ward 14), his office would have been declared vacant at the end of June. (Samantha Craggs/CBC) A Hamilton city councillor who has been absent from council meetings since December 2020 has had his sick leave extended. Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to permit Terry Whitehead, who represents Ward 14 (west Mountain), to be absent from council meetings until Sept. 30 or his return to work, "whichever comes first."