Homers

DEVELOPER HONORED: The flood of 2008 didn't stop Jon Dusek from reinvesting his Cedar Rapids company's resources in severely damaged downtown properties. Dusek, president/CEO of Armstrong Development col., was recently named to the Midwest Commercial Real Estate News Hall of Fame for his efforts in quickly repairing damaged buildings so that more than 100 retail and office tenants could resume business as soon as possible.

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MURAL'S MESSAGE: We're glad to see that the mural above the judges' bench in the former federal courthouse in downtown Cedar Rapids will be restored (the federal government will pay the bill). The city owns the historic building and is moving City Council chambers to the large third-floor courtroom.

The Great Depression-era mural is one of several around the room's walls, all of them painted over - twice - after periods of controversy about their content. We hope this is the start of their permanent recovery. The graphic depictions, including a lynching, are strong but should remind us of our government and community's efforts to right the wrongs done to some of our citizens, as well as encourage open debate on difficult issues.