The end of December marks the end of an era in Grinnell as Mayor Gordon Canfield will retire at the end of this year. He has been serving our community as mayor for 18 years (just shy of the 20-year record of Floyd Beaver) and has done a mighty fine job. I'm sure there are some of you who haven't seen eye-to-eye with him and even had disagreements over the years, but we are certainly thankful for his incredible dedication and commitment as a public servant to the City of Grinnell, and I think it's safe to say he's one of the community's biggest advocates. 
He has received many different awards throughout his tenure as Mayor, and earlier this year was inducted into the Iowa League of Cities Hall of Fame for his outstanding service to the League and municipal government in the state. He's also been recognized by the US State Department for his contribution and support of the International Visitor Leadership Program and has been the recipient of several local awards, including the Civil Servant Award from GPCF.
Our office has the pleasure of working with the city on many occasions, and we feel fortunate to have worked alongside Gordon on many efforts. From serving on mayor task forces to having him speak with countless groups who tour the Louis Sullivan Jewel Box Bank to greeting the WHO Tractor riders with water and even traveling across the state together to promote Grinnell, we will miss seeing him on a regular basis. We wish him the best in retirement and look forward to the new chapter that will begin in 2018.
Please take a few minutes to attend an open house to celebrate Mayor Canfield's retirement next Wednesday, December 20 at the city offices. Stop by to thank Gordon for his years of service and wish him well in retirement.
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