A fitting tribute

It was around 7 a.m. on Nov. 2, 1986, when the first jets rolled from the runway toward Cedar Rapids' brand new airport terminal.

A few hours later, local leaders gathered at a ceremony to watch Mayor Don Canney cut the ribbon.

“I've participated in a lot of ribbon cuttings, but I don't remember one that thrilled me so,” Canney said, according to an account in The Gazette. “This makes a statement about Cedar Rapids.”

Now, Cedar Rapids is searching for a way to make the right statement about Canney's long service to his community.

Canney died in March at age 80, and a task force was appointed to decide how best to honor the longtime mayor, who served from 1969 to 1992. Late last month, the panel voted unanimously to recommend putting Canney's name on The Eastern Iowa Airport.

We agree with task force chairman Ralph Palmer, who called it “a proper and wonderful way to pay tribute.” It clearly is.

But this was certainly no easy decision.

Cedar Rapids is filled with concrete evidence of Canney's vision and work. Interstate 380, the 5-in1 bridge, the Edgewood Road bridge are just a sampling. There's also been talk of naming the new convention complex, a new riverfront amphitheater or the city services center after Canney. All are good ideas. And task force members said they also will recommend other, smaller tributes around town would be appropriate alongside renaming the airport.

But we agree with the task force that the airport was quite possibly the centerpiece in Canney's tireless efforts to put Cedar Rapids on the map and pull the city into the future. Scores of local travelers who don't have to drive cross-country to catch a flight are in debt to Canney's vision. And the airport has proved to be an indispensable tool in attracting and retaining businesses and jobs.

Mayor Ron Corbett says he expects the task force recommendation to move forward, pending review by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“A few years ago, we didn't know if we'd have jet service out of here,” Canney said at the 1986 ceremony, referencing the long, rocky road that finally led to the $20 million terminal project. “Now, I know we do. This makes a fine facility for all of Iowa.”

And now, we think the “Donald J. Canney Eastern Iowa Airport” will make a fine tribute for a great public servant.

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