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  OUTSTANDING LEADER: Congratulations to Jerry Arganbright, principal of Iowa City West High School, for being named the 2007 Iowa Secondary Principal of the year. A principal at West since 1984, Arganbright has led improvements in student achievement and activities. He is now eligible for similar recognition on a national level.

  THANKS FOR ASKING: Far too often, residents complain their voices aren’t heard in public policy decisions, even when public officials bend over backward to listen. In Iowa City, you can literally have your cake and eat it, too. Planning officials are holding public hearings at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at City Hall to get ideas to develop a plan for the Central District, the heart of Iowa City. Not only are the open to ideas, they’re also serving refreshments.
 

  KNOCK OFF SECRECY: The University of Iowa presidential search committee continues to drag its feet on whether to require public on-campus interviews for finalists.

  Keeping the public in the dark on the heels of a terribly botched search would be the wrong decision. Stop wringing your hands over this one and make the right decision: Require the finalists to meet the community.

 DIFFERENT STAKES?: Folks are ticked about the use of the Hawkeye fight song and University of Iowa logos in an Iowa Lottery ad campaign earlier this year. Where’s the outrage about the UI’s association with Riverside Casino & Golf Resort?

 The UI has received almost $100,000 in advertising from the casino; the word ‘‘casino’’ is prohibited from print ads and signs on campus, but it’s used in ads on the pre- and post-game shows on Hawkeye Radio Network. Officials say there’s a distinction, but we don’t see it.

  INFLATING JOB NUMBERS: Iowans deserve accurate numbers on jobs created by the Iowa Values Fund, an economic development program. A report by the state auditor says the Iowa Department of Economic Development’s number (30,732) is inflated, possibly twice as many as the auditor has counted. The Values Fund is an effective program, but the questionable numbers are eroding its credibility and public support.