Linn supervisor to miss 4-6 weeks

Linn County Supervisor John Harris says he'll miss the next four to six weeks of board meetings to while recovering from surgery.

Harris, 58, said Monday's surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is the last step in his recovery from colon cancer, and the prognosis for permanent recovery is “excellent.”

“I should be normal after it's all over with,” he said.

Republican Harris, the former mayor of Palo, defeated 19-year incumbent Jim Houser last November by less than 1 percent of 16,727 votes cast.  He represents District 5, covering much western Linn County, including parts of Cedar Rapids and Alburnett, Center Point, Fairfax, Walford, and Walker.

Harris' cancer was diagnosed last September, after he'd filed as a candidate. A core group of supporters led by daughter and campaign manager Heather Akers carried his effort while he underwent surgery and post-operative treatment.

Harris said he may participate in some board meetings by telephone during his recuperation, and he'll stay current on his email.