FARGO (KFGO-AM) -- Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker is speaking publicly for the first time since announcing two weeks ago he's being treated for kidney cancer.
In an exclusive interview with KFGO's Joel Heitkamp, Walaker says his health in improving and he is able to do his job as mayor. He says "right now it's a quiet time, and as long as they're able to keep me in the loop, which they are, that's going very well. Walaker says Dr. Mahoney has been a godsend being the Deputy Mayor. He says he doesn't know if he'll be at the meeting Monday night, but he will try to call in. Walaker says he tried to call in at the last meeting two weeks ago, but couldn't get through.
\Walaker underwent both chemotherapy and radiation treatment and is in a re-hab facility after suffering some intial setbacks with weakness and dehydration. He hopes to go home next week to continue his recovery.
Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney announced Thursday he's leaving his surgeon's job at Essentia Health to assume a larger role in city government.