Kalona creek deal falls through

IOWA CITY - If you've ever aspired to have a creek named after you, you're going to get a second chance. Naming rights for a Kalona body of water will be returning to auction on eBay later this week.

“We feel this is a good idea and want to go with it,” City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said.

The city nearly sold the naming rights for the current West Drainage Ditch to a man from Virginia this month.

“He wanted to name it Baniku Kinshi Creek,” Schlabaugh said.

But it turns out that “baniku kinshi” is Japanese for “horse meat prohibited.” The would-be buyer was an activist with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“The name had a ring to it,” said Dan Ehl, the Kalona News editor who came up with the idea for an online sale of the naming rights. “But most people here probably wouldn't like ‘Horse Meat (Prohibited)' for a name to a creek.”

After Kalona officials began to investigate the bid, the buyer abruptly backed out of the deal, Schlabaugh said.

The city is trying to sell the naming rights for the creek to raise money for a sidewalk improvement project. The second 10-day bidding period is expected to begin Thursday.

“I'd like to see it be somebody local,” said Kalona Fire Chief Steve Yotty, a longtime resident and business owner. “Plus, I didn't understand the first name anyway.”

Schlabaugh said he is expecting a family or business to buy the naming rights, though the bidding is open to anyone in the world. The high bid last time around was $681, after more than 10 people took part in the auction.

The final name will be subject to approval by the City Council and the U.S. Board of Geographic Names.