Supervisor Ryan Kelley back after heart scare
EL CENTRO — Imperial County District 4 Supervisor Ryan Kelley announced at Tuesday’s board meeting he had missed last week’s meeting and several other work days after suffering a heart attack while mowing his lawn on May 1.
He attended in person and noted this was the first he had spoken publicly about his health scare.
Kelley said he was treated first at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley before being transferred to a Scripps medical facility in the San Diego area where he underwent a repair procedure and is now “right as rain.”
Kelley said he is working to improve his eating habits and overall health and explained he hopes his story will motivate others to do the same before a serious problem ensues.
“I’ve cleared my pantry and am learning the benefits of whole grains. I’m not eating the same as I was two weeks ago,” he said, adding he was taking those measures to “have a fruitful life.”
However, conceding his efforts have a way to go, he said, “You might still catch me smoking, but I’m working on it.”
Kelley also said he used some of the recovery time to reflect on the positives in his life.
“I have been writing letters to family and friends letting them know how much I cherish them,” he said.
A former firefighter and emergency medical technician, Kelley is an associate administrator for support services at PMH and was first elected supervisor in 2012.
His district encompasses much of the county’s North End, including Brawley, Calipatria, Niland and Salton City.