Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-24032067-20131009213338/@comment-5821891-20131009214039

Ruby doesn't appear because Meghan Ory got another job on some CBS show. Not because the writer's don't want her (even though they didn't really anyway which caused her to leave). People move on. These things happen. Show business.

Sydney hasn't been appearing for the same reason. Giancarlo has a significant role on "Revolution".

As far as the other to go, I really don't know.

But personally I really don't think we need a better explanation other than they are just hanging out in Storybrooke. What is going on in their lives just isn't important to the story being told.