A proposal for Mount Trashmore

I agree with Mayor Brad Hart's notion that now is the ideal time to shelve the name Mount Trashmore.

I disagree with his idea to christen it Mount Smeti. While clever at first glance with its reference to Czech heritage, it sounds weird, requires an explanation and, with the change of one letter, becomes 'Mount Smeli” We're back where we started.

As Todd Dorman explored this dilemma in his 24-hour Dorman column in last Sunday's Gazette, it became clear that eliminating references to 'Mount Trashmore” in the minds of longtime Cedar Rapids residents is probably impossible. Naming contests in the past have failed and there's no reason to believe they would succeed today. People say cute names are silly and simple names are boring.

Still, I'm going to try.

First, a land mass 210-feet high is hardly a mountain, although reopening the landfill after The Flood of 2008 allowed us to not only bury that tragedy behind us, but to raise the height of the summit.

Second, when the park on top opens, visitors will view the Cedar River below, the rejuvenated business/residential districts along both sides of the Cedar, the planned renovation of Cedar Lake and, eventually, the 'Sleeping Giant” recreational trail bridge.

Third, until officials name it and install proper signage, people will continue to call it what they want.

To me, the name is perfectly clear. Cedar View Summit.

Dave Rasdal

Cedar Rapids