Gomers: What's going wrong

DEMOLITION CONSEQUENCES: Imminent public safety threat? Then your flood-damaged house is or will be demolished by the city, even if it has historic value.

That was the scenario in Cedar Rapids' Bohemian Commercial Historic District neighborhood last week. Regardless of whether you believe at least some of those homes eligible for the National Register of Historic Places should be saved, their destruction could leave holes in the neighborhood that may require revision of the federal designation that provides businesses with tax credits for rehabilitation that can help keep them operating as well as preserve the historic style.

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NO RESPECT: More than 50 graves were vandalized at the Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery sometime between June 28 and July 8. It's yet another example of senseless, disrespectful behavior that seems to strike cemeteries all too often.

At least there was some good news in the aftermath: About 35 volunteers, including Cornell College football players and coaches, soon showed up to repair much of the damage.

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WATER WOES: Continued high water has severely limited access or use of beaches in Eastern Iowa.

Popular beaches on Coralville Lake are expected to be closed through at least Wednesday. And most state park beaches in the area are either closed for repairs or are posting signs warning of elevated bacteria counts in the water. The elevated river levels also are making things difficult for people who like to canoe or tube in the streams.