After six weeks of health problems, Kelowna Coun. Charlie Hodge returned to his seat in Kelowna chambers for today乌鸦传媒檚 regular city council meeting.

Hodge, , after getting an infection in his jaw following the removal of a severely impacted tooth, missed last week乌鸦传媒檚 council meeting while in hospital.

But on Monday afternoon, he was back, looking markedly slimmer following the last six weeks on a liquid diet, and sporting a new titanium place in his jaw, complete with six screws holding it in place and more than 200 stitches, most of which are inside his mouth.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 back and very thankful for it,乌鸦传媒� he told council.

Prior tot he meeting, Hodge乌鸦传媒攚ho writes a weekly column for the Capital News乌鸦传媒攕aid he is still in a a great deal of pain but it乌鸦传媒檚 a different sort of pain.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 the pain of healing,乌鸦传媒� he said.

During the council meeting, Hodge publicly thanked his wife, his medical team, his colleagues on council and the many members of the public who wished him well. And he praised the the medical treatment he received at KGH, saying the staff there did a great job despite it being obvious to him that the hospital is seriously understaffed.

乌鸦传媒淭he people there do a phenomenal job despite the criticism they get,乌鸦传媒� he said of the doctors, nurses and staff at KGH.