Countywide : Supervisor Riley Returns to Work

Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas F. Riley returned to work Wednesday, two weeks after undergoing back surgery to remove a cyst in his spine that had caused severe leg pain.

The 81-year-old retired Marine Corps general spent his first day back meeting with fellow supervisors and transportation officials, and reading stacks of mail that had accumulated during his absence.

“I feel great, I’ve had a very good recovery,” Riley said after seven hours of work. “I went to see my doctor on Monday and he was surprised that I was active so soon.”

Riley worked without the assistance of a walking device that he had used during rehabilitation.

“His first day back went real well, he seems to have made a good recovery,” said Christie McDaniel, an aide to the supervisor.

Before the surgery at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, Riley had been confined to a wheelchair for about two months for an unrelated foot infection.

Vice Chairman Gaddi H. Vasquez filled in for Riley during his absence.

Riley, who plans to retire when his term expires next year, has been 5th District supervisor since 1974.