The Perry Historic Preservation Commission announced Thursday its selection of the newest member of the Soumas Court Wall of Witness. Michael S. Kanealy, longtime Perry booster and benefactor, will have his likeness enshrined on the downtown memorial.
Kanealy was the owner and operator of Michael’s Pub at 1010 Second St. in downtown in Perry for 25 years. Prior to opening his pub, he farmed and worked at Oscar Mayer. Kanealy died Feb. 13, 2012, at age 74 and is buried in Violet Hill Cemetery.
The Perry Historic Preservation Commission called for nominations in mid-July and received 27 names by Aug. 31, according to Commission President Gary Martin.
“We were totally shocked” at the number of nominations, Martin said. “I thought we’d only get half of that.”
Martin said the process has been a collaboration between the commission and Hometown Heritage, the former Hometown Perry Iowa face of the Fullhart Carnegie Charitable Trust.
“They are footing the bill for the plaque,” Martin said. “But they left it up to us to come up with the person.” The plaques cost about $1,500, and several artists have contributed to the the line of ceramic and earthenware bas-relief busts lining the southwest wall of Soumas Court in downtown Perry.
The Perry Historic Preservation Commission had its work cut out for it in selecting a new witness from the many nominees, but they arrived at a decision quickly.
“The meeting went very well,” said Perry Historic Preservation Commission Vice Chairperson Jeanette Peddicord, “and a lot faster than I thought it would. We narrowed it down to six or seven after the first round. It was a lot more complicated than I thought it would be simply because we a number of very good candidates.”
Perry has such a surplus of worthies that the Historic Preservation Commission hopes to bring a new face to the Wall of Witnesses yearly and will keep this year’s nominees in the pool in future years.
“We are going to hold over those candidates that didn’t get selected until next year,” Peddicord said. “The hope is to make it annual, and we’re hoping that we can come up with enough money for the plaques that we’re not just limited to one person. We would like to be able to do at least two a year.”
The city of Perry Finance Officer Susie Moorhead said the Wall of Witnesses “recognizes those who have gone before us and stand as witnesses to our care of the community and those who set the course both in the present and in the future.”
Members of the Perry Historic Preservation Commission include Martin, Peddicord, Secretary Judy Marckres, Treasurer Eugene Peel, John Palmer, Jim Von Behren, Ronda Onken, Larry Vodenik, Dave Berkemann and Chris Hinds.
Further details of the Kanealy memorial plaque will be forthcoming, and an unveiling ceremony will be held, according to the commission.
