By LINDSEY A. HENRY

REGISTER STAFF WRITER

Admirers and opponents gathered Monday to bid farewell to a man known for decades as the feistiest voice in town.

Twenty-year Des Moines City Council veteran George Flagg attended his final council meeting.

Council members surprised Flagg with a vote to rename the city’s Valley Drive in his honor. The council voted unanimously to title the street near Water Works Park George Flagg Parkway.

Council members Christine Hensley and Mike McPherson jokingly questioned the cost of the decision, a gentle jab at Flagg’s well-known fiscal conservatism.

“Is this a wise use of taxpayer dollars?” McPherson asked to the amusement of the audience.

Robert Ray, former governor, mayor and Flagg’s opponent in the 1956 Polk County attorney race, spoke of Flagg’s commitment to the city.

“Nobody was too big for him to take on,” Ray said, adding that no resident was too small for him to assist. “He was a nemesis to many on this council year after year after year,” Ray said. “Because someone was challenging us, we were better.”

“He did what he knew was right for his community, even if it wasn’t popular to do so.” -Ralph Moisa Jr. on George Flagg

Flagg was born in Waterloo in 1925 and moved to Des Moines in the 1940s to start a law practice. He lost several elections before winning his at-large council seat in 1980. Flagg earned a reputation as an advocate for the city and someone unafraid to speak out.

As well-wishers filed past him before his final meeting, Flagg paused to tell Public Works Director Bill Stowe about a problem area a constituent had written him about.

Flagg told the council and a packed City Hall that he believed he always had been “willing to do what should be done” for Des Moines. A standing ovation and lengthy applause let him know that those in the audience agreed.

Ralph Moisa Jr. came to say goodbye to a “man of honor.”

“He did what he knew was right for his community, even if it wasn’t popular to do so,” said Moisa, appointed by Flagg to the city’s neighborhood revitalization board.

City leaders will gather Wednesday to honor and roast Flagg at a dinner at the airport Holiday Inn.

Councilman-elect Frank Cownie will replace Flagg in January.

Retiring with distinction: George Flagg stands behind a new street sign that was unveiled Monday by Des Moines Councilwoman Christine Hensley and Mayor Preston Daniels.