CRAYTON MAY BE IN COMA: Former Councilwoman reportedly in "serious condition"

 

"Heart trouble" may be troubling legendary CoMo leader 

 

COLUMBIA, Mo 10/8/13 (Beat Byte) -- Almeta Crayton, the former First Ward Councilwoman whose spirited style and fiesty engagement kept the Columbia City Council -- and local leaders -- on their toes for 9 years, is reportedly in a coma at Boone Hospital in Columbia. 

Boone County Democratic party and Muleskinners publicist Scott Cristal notified the media at 7:44 pm this evening about Crayton's condition, which follows previous hospitalizations for kidney and other ailments. 

"We regretfully report that former city council woman Almeta Crayton is in serious condition at Boone Hospital with heart trouble," Cristal said.   "We will pass along more details once they become available."

Best known for her hard-hitting questions about life in low-income neighborhoods, and her often controversial solutions to community problems such as a youth curfew, Crayton served on the City Council from 1999-2008.  She has continued her service to the people of Columbia with such events as Everyone Eats, one of Missouri's largest annual Thanksgiving feasts, free and open to the public. 

The Heart Beat has not confirmed the information about Crayton's health, but has received similar notifications that have proven accurate over the years.