After six weeks of health problems, 91大黄鸭 Coun. Charlie Hodge returned to his seat in 91大黄鸭 chambers for today鈥檚 regular city council meeting.

Hodge, , after getting an infection in his jaw following the removal of a severely impacted tooth, missed last week鈥檚 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.

鈥淚鈥檓 back and very thankful for it,鈥� he told council.

Prior tot he meeting, Hodge鈥攚ho writes a weekly column for the Capital News鈥攕aid he is still in a a great deal of pain but it鈥檚 a different sort of pain.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the pain of healing,鈥� 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.

鈥淭he people there do a phenomenal job despite the criticism they get,鈥� he said of the doctors, nurses and staff at KGH.