Gomers: What's going wrong

OUR LOSS: Dan Baldwin's resignation from his post of CEO and president of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation is bittersweet. His leadership, expertise and commitment often has been cited. He certainly will be missed. However, he leaves us with a stronger organization that will serve our community well for years to come.

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AND ANOTHER: Dan Mann resigned his job as director of The Eastern Iowa Airport last week, accepting an offer from the Columbia 9S.C.) Metropolitan Airport. Mann built a reputation as an achiever in less than five years here: the terminal's C concourse was upgraded, a retention facility for airplane de-icing and a public safety building were constructed, the number of nonstop destination cities was expanded to 12 before the recession forced some setbacks, and a reconstruction of the airport's 62-year-old main runway will begin this spring.

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FAMILIES HURTING: Nearly twice as many families - 700 compared to 400 last year - applied for “adoption” through the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program (HACAP) Christmas program this year - another sign of the recession's local impact. If you can help financially stressed families with food, clothing and toys, call HACAP at (319) 393-7811.