Despite surgery, mayor running to keep city commission seat

After undergoing abdominal surgery early Tuesday, Fort Scott Mayor Gary Billionis is slowly recuperating at a local hospital.

According to Billionis' wife, Connie Billionis, her husband underwent abdominal surgery on Tuesday at Mercy Health Center to remove nearly 12 inches of his small intestine. The procedure was a success, and now he will remain in the hospital for about five days while he recovers, Connie said. And with just about any surgical procedure, the aches and pains have begun to set in for the long-time Fort Scott resident.

"He's feeling pretty rocky today," she said Wednesday. "He's in there healing and trying to get well, so he can hopefully get back to city business soon."

Billionis, a former long-time teacher in the USD 234 school district, took an early retirement, several years ago, due to a health problem. He later returned to teach physical education at Fort Scott Middle School. Other than his mayoral duties, he currently works as the FSMS director of student activities and still substitute teaches periodically at the school, Connie said.

Before being admitted to the hospital, Billionis had complained of severe abdominal pains, which doctors found to to be small intestine diverticulitis. Billionis' condition was severe enough that part of his small intestine had to be removed.

The condition can be treated through rest, changes in diet, and the use of antibiotics. Billionis is currently taking antibiotics to help him feel better and to cure the condition, Connie said. Diverticulitis can be serious, but if diagnosed early and treated properly, the condition is completely manageable, according to a related article on the Internet site, www.wikipedia.org.

Billionis, an active member of the community for several years, is seeking re-election to the Fort Scott City Commission on April 3. He was elected to the city commission in 2003, and was elected mayor by the other commission members in 2005.