Cayuga County Legislator Bernie Smith has been recovering at University Hospital in Syracuse following triple bypass surgery, Clerk of the Legislature Lee Brew said Wednesday.

Smith, who represents District 3 (Montezuma, Mentz and Throop), underwent a five-and-a-half hour successful operation Feb. 16 after a heart catheterization revealed all of the arteries to his heart were blocked, Brew said.

He is expected to be released from the hospital today or Friday. Recovery will likely take four to five weeks, Brew added.

Smith, who is in his mid-60s, is a first-time legislator.

In last year's primaries, he defeated Peter Marshall, son of 27-year legislator and former Legislature chairman Herb Marshall, for the Republican slot on the ballot by a margin of 27 votes. Smith was declared the official winner a week after the actual primary, following a recanvassing of voting machines and counting of absentee ballots.

In November, he beat out Democrat Philip Simkin for the District 3 seat. He now sits on the Legislature's Judicial and Public Safety, Health and Human Services and Planning and Economic Development committees.

Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, said that he did not expect Smith to attend the legislative meeting on Feb. 28 but that he was looking at Smith's absence as temporary.

"It leaves a hole for a moment in time," Fearon said.

Smith is retired after working for 31 years with the state Department of Corrections. He was a union leader for 29 years and was also one of the first canine dog handlers in the state.

He has been married to his wife, Sharon, for more than 40 years. The two have four children.

Cards may be sent to Smith's residence at 7388 Centerport Road, Auburn, NY, 13021.

Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net