Since the Nov. 4 election, Coal Grove Mayor Tom McKnight has been absent from the public view.

This has raised many questions within the village as to what he has been doing and why he has kept a low profile.

McKnight served as the village's mayor for 19 years overall before narrowly losing to Councilman Larry McDaniel last month.

Though he still holds the office until Jan. 1,

the mayor has missed six meetings since the election - three regular meetings, two special sessions and one financial workshop.

McKnight had not talked to the media since the election. He did not return more than a dozen messages left by The Ironton Tribune, but talked publicly Friday for the first time.

"I am still doing the village's work," he said. "There are just a few people with the village that I don't want to see."

The mayor said he is still working with the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to obtain grant funding for projects that include removing Carlyle Tile and building the Ice Creek Boat Ramp.

As far as his attendance, McKnight said he has had his reasons not to attend the three regular meetings and was never told of the special meetings.

"I was never notified of any special meetings," he said. "Not a letter, phone call or nothing. Evidently, they didn't want me there."

Still, in part because McKnight is still being paid his monthly salary of $450, some taxpayers are disappointed because it at least appears he has neglected his duties.

"I think it is kind of sour grapes. To my knowledge he hasn't attended any council meetings since he lost," said Howard Perkins, a resident and voter for nearly a decade. "I never saw a thank-you to his supporters. I think he is bitter."

Perkins was one of several voters who felt McKnight had given up on his duties for the village.

"It is very evident that he hasn't done anything or he would have been at the meetings telling council what he has done and helping in the transition," Perkins said.

Several members of council have expressed similar views.

"He is the mayor and he should fulfill his commitment," Councilman Phil Roush said. "He was elected to serve until the end of his four-year term."

Overall, Roush said that things are going well and that he does not foresee any problems during the transition.

Mayor-elect McDaniel agreed. Though McDaniel has not talked with McKnight and does not expect to, he said he is ready to move the village forward.

On the other hand, McKnight said he is hurt because he is being blamed for the mistakes of council. He said that his successes are being ignored - and he is willing to compare his success with any mayor in the history of the village.

"I would say 2003 was the most prosperous year in the history of the village when it comes to businesses and grants," he said.

McKnight said he warned council "time and time" again that cuts were needed and that the general fund was being drained.

"The very ones who put the village in this situation it is in, are now cleaning up their own mess," he said referring to recent votes to cut personnel. "They are acting like it is my mess, but I didn't create it."