ORANGE : Surgery Will Keep Mayor Out of Office

Mayor Gene Beyer was scheduled to undergo bypass surgery in Palm Desert on Monday afternoon to correct a blocked artery and will be kept from his duties for an undetermined amount of time.

Beyer, 64, who complained that he was not feeling well, decided to have some tests done late last week while on vacation. Mark Murphy, a spokesman for the city of Orange, said it is not known how long Beyer will be away from office.

Mayor Pro Tem Fred L. Barrera will probably assume Beyer’s responsibilities for several City Council meetings. Beyer had unrelated surgery in November to correct some old athletic surgeries, Murphy said.