Gov. Butch Otter seemed to be walking just fine during his first day back at work after his Jan. 29 hip surgery, and impressed legislative leaders – with whom he met early Thursday – as being rarin’ to go. Said Otter’s spokesman, Jon Hanian, “He felt good, he looked good.”

Otter’s return to preside over a Thursday morning Land Board meeting actually came as a surprise to his staff, who expected him to participate by phone. “I think he’s anxious to get back,” Hanian said. “He has crutches, but he didn’t use ‘em today.” As to whether the governor’s back to stay, after recuperating and working from home for the past month, Hanian said, “It’s going to be day to day.” Otter left the office shortly after the Land Board meeting.

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