Bill Allen hospitalized

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Alaska rural development director and Mat-Su Borough Assembly member Bill Allen is hospitalized at Valley Hospital, this week, after undergoing successful surgery Jan. 18 for colon cancer.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's public affairs director, Wayne Maloney, Allen initially suffered from kidney stones, but further tests revealed the cancer.

Maloney said Allen will be hospitalized for seven to 10 days, during which time Frank Muncey, the assistant director of rural development, will assume Allen's duties.

Borough Mayor Tim Anderson said he doesn't expect Allen's surgery will affect his performance as a borough Assembly member. The next Assembly meeting is slated for Feb. 1.

"Depending on how well he recovers, he could probably attend that meeting," Anderson said. "He can also call in through teleconferencing."

Anderson said Allen seemed to be in good spirits last week before the surgery.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.