There are allegations of a power struggle between political parties within the Omaha city council. And it’s centered around Republican Chuck Sigerson’s seat, which is currently empty while he recovers from a heart attack and stroke.

It’s clear a controversy is brewing at city hall, though the real truth may never come out. What is known is that it’s been nearly three months since Sigerson last attended a city council meeting. "It's very clear in city charter,” says Republican Councilwoman Jean Stothert, “if you're not excused, after three months, you would lose your seat."

She’s sponsoring a resolution to be voted on Tuesday, nearing that three month mark, to officially “excuse” Sigerson’s absence. It will enable him up to six months to recover before he forfeits his seat. However, a spokesman for the Sigerson family, Jim Vokal, says Sigerson hopes to return by the first of the year.

Stothert’s push to clarify Sigerson's status comes on the heels of some gossip. "I mean there's always rumors around that perhaps people are looking to replace him sooner rather than later. “

Those rumors are about partisan politics. Four democrats and three republicans sit on the city council. There's been talk of an effort to remove Sigerson to make room for another democrat, giving the party an even greater presence.

A blog called “Objective Conservative” accuses democrat, Chris Jerram, of “leading the charge to replace Sigerson.”

However, Jerram told Channel 6 News there is absolutely no truth to that allegation. "The people who are spreading those rumors are not only engaging in very deceitful and dishonest endeavors, but it's hurtful, sinful."

As far as the resolution to save Sigerson’s seat, Jerram says, "I am totally supportive of it. I think that Council member Sigerson has given the city many, many years of his service, and he deserves to take as much time as he needs to recover."

Jerram says the blogger is a “cyber bully” who simply makes things up, including an allegation that the mayor is “actively working to remove Chuck.”

To that, Mayor Jim Suttle says, "If we start running ourselves on gossip an innuendos instead of facts, we're in trouble."

Suttle added, his most important priorities right now are the budget shortfall and the police and firefighter pension funds, key to their successful contract negotiations.

“I’d love to have Chuck Sigerson get back on the council. He had a major hand in the Bates task force in shaping the alternatives to get this thing staged,” Suttle said. “I want him back on that council so he can vote yes on his idea that we’re bringing in on the details of these two contracts.”

Suttle says the blog may have provided fodder for talk radio, but has no factual basis.

Jerram adds, "There's someone, or some bodies, that are spreading a rumor for whatever reason that have gotten a lot of people riled up. And I think they'll find out on Tuesday that they got me riled up, too."

Tuesday is when the council will vote on the resolution to secure Sigerson's seat. Channel 6 News reached all six active members, and all say they will vote in support of that resolution.