Homers and gomers

Homers: What's going right

TRIPLE PLAY: The local economy received three big shots in the arm last week when Intermec, Raining Rose and a new firm. AgSugar International, announced new building projects in Cedar Rapids. The projects will provide a combined capital investment of $40 million, the potential for future job growth and meet the city's goal of infilling existing sites within the city. Intermec's new 78,000 square-foot facility at 601 Third St. SE, will be the first private building project in the city's core since the flood.

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HABITAT GARDENS: Building on the great housing help provided by Habitat for Humanity, a group of local volunteers has started Habitat Gardens. The effort helps families who became homeowners through Habitat for Humanity to also become backyard gardeners. The families get small, manageable gardens with vegetables and flowers as well as an education in garden basics. The first plantings of seven vegetable and seven flower gardens were scheduled to take place over the weekend.

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CSPS PROGRESS: It's great to see the progress being made in the $7 million renovation and preservation of CSPS at 1103 Third St. SE. We got our first glimpses this week of work at the 120-year old landmark. It's sure to become a facility the whole community can be proud of.

Gomers: What's going wrong

SPIRIT OF THE LAW: The state ombudsman's office reported this week that a former Monticello mayor and a City Council member violated “the spirit” of Iowa's open meetings law when they held a series of meetings at council members' homes to discuss firing the city administrator. We think trying to hide such important deliberations from public view breaks more than the spirit of the law. And we call on lawmakers to clarify the law and make such “walking quorums” illegal.

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LYME DISEASE: Iowa health officials are alarmed by a rise in Lyme disease cases. The tick-borne illness can be very serious, possibly damaging the joints, nervous system and heart if left untreated. Anyone who thinks they've been bitten and shows symptoms, including flu-like symptoms and a bull's-eye rash, should contact their doctor. Wearing insect repellent outdoors is one simple precaution Iowans can take.

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TIPPING THE SCALES: Iowa is slowly climbing the rankings of America's fattest states. We rank 20th, with 28.1 percent of Iowa adults considered obese, up from 22nd on the previous list. Iowa was not among the dozen states with obesity rates topping 30 percent, led by Mississippi's 34.4 percent. But Iowa officials are right to worry about rising risks and costs.