Wow! Is it actually December already? Where did the year go?

We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving wherever your travels took you.

By the way, hopefully, you didn't forget to Vote on December 1 in Cedar Rapids for the municipal runoff election ...

Election turnout hottest in four District 3 precincts - The Gazette

Cedar Rapids City Council runoff election is today - The Gazette

How can we get more participation in Local, State and Federal elections in Cedar Rapids and throughout our State?

On Monday, November 30Th, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks announced that she will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 2nd U.S. Congressional District of Iowa to face current incumbant Dave Loebsack (D-IA).

Miller-Meeks returns to challenge Loebsack - Muscatine Journal
Mariannette Miller-Meeks, center, announced Monday at the Quality Cobbler at Muscatine Mall that she plans to run for Iowa's 2nd ...
Miller-Meeks jumps right back in - Burlington Hawk Eye
Miller-Meeks to seek 2nd District seat again - UI The Daily Iowan
Miller-Meeks stresses 2008 lessons learned - Ottumwa Courier

IowaPolitics.com (press release) - Quad City Times

Mayor-elect Ron Corbett in Cedar Rapids wants feedback from Flood victims.

Mayor-elect Corbett to meet with flood victims on Thursday evening - The Gazette
Mayor-elect Ron Corbett will hold what he’s billing as a “listening session for flood victims” on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 at IBEW Local 405, 1211 Wiley Blvd. SW.In a news release announcing the event, Corbett says he promised during his recent election campaign that he would make helping flood victims a first priority.He calls the listening session “the first step toward fulfilling that campaign promise.”He wants to hear about gaps and needs and how the city can improve ...

It's not all Flood recovery business in the City of Cedar Rapids.

City open house on trails set for Monday evening - The Gazette
City Hall is holding an open house on Monday evening to give the public a chance to weigh in on a Comprehensive Trails Master Plan.The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Ballroom #2 at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel.Residents also can provide feedback at www.cedar-rapids.org/publicworks or www.shive-hattery.com/CRTrails/index.htmlThe comments will help the City Council prioritize trail construction in the next 10 years ...

Local candidate for Governor suspends campaign in Iowa.

Fong suspends camapign, but promises a second act - The Gazette
The first act didn’t end well, “but the play is still being written and I’m looking forward to taking the stage again,” Cedar Rapids gubernatorial hopeful Christian Fong said Tuesday.
Fong suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor, but promised he’ll be back.Fong, 32, who was making his first run ...

The State of Iowa has a Budget Gap to clean up come January 2010.

Iowa lawmakers will return in January to a billion dollar budget gap - The Gazette
State lawmakers will be required to close a billion-dollar funding gap when they return to the Capitol next January to fashion a fiscal 2011 budget, according to an analysis issued Wednesday.The nonpartisan Legislative Service Agency released projections for the upcoming budget cycle that estimated built-in spending commitments of $6.466 billion and available revenue under the 99 percent spending limitation law at $5.396 billion – leaving a projected budget gap of $1.07 billion.“It’s about what we expected,” said Senate Majority Leader ...

Closing thoughts on Government:

• Limited Government


• Limited Spending


• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

peace

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend everyone!

Wishing you, your family and your friends a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving where ever your travels may take you ...

• Enjoyed the Creighton fight vs. Michigan in basketball on Thanksgiving on ESPN2



• Will celebrate Thanksgiving with family today!



• Will likely take a peak on TV of the Nebraska-Colorado football game



• Plenty of joy and conversation on the road during our visit in Nebraska

peace

As we approach Thanksgiving, what's news around our community in Cedar Rapids and otherwise?

Congratulations to Ms. Running-Marquardt in her victory tonight ...

• In the special election held on November 24Th in State House District 33, first time candidate Kirsten Running-Marquardt has filled the opening left by Dick Taylor retirement in precincts 1-11 in Cedar Rapids. Running-Marquardt beat first time candidate Josh Thurston 78% to 22% in the largely Democrat district.

The City of Cedar Rapids is looking to establish a neighborhood center that will be used by all neighborhood associations? Doesn't that seem a little odd? Why would one location be used by multiple neighborhood assocations in a City the size of 126K?

City Council awards CR Neighborhoods a $100k grant - The Gazette

... the $100,000 grant to establish a neighborhood center to be used by all the neighborhood associations. Half of the grant money will be used for a grant researcher and writer who will work to find funding for the neighborhood center on an ongoing basis.

Will it work to expand mass transit use in the City of Cedar Rapids?

Proposed changes to city bus system could attract more riders - The Gazette

Proposed changes to the Cedar Rapids transit system would streamline the city’s bus routes and make it easier to reach more parts of town directly...

Preferential treatment in City parking ramps for those who drive Green vehicles ...

Efficient cars will get best parking in C.R. parking ramps - The Gazette

Drivers of hybrid, alternative-fuel or zero-emission vehicles will get the best parking spots in the city’s Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue parking ramps.The preferential treatment to encourage the use of energy-efficient vehicles likely will be adopted for other downtown parking ramps as well, said Sandy Pumphrey, a civil engineer in the city’s Public Works Department. Pumphrey said the special parking designation might be just the thing to persuade a family to drive the hybrid car downtown for dinner ...

Time to turn to national issues ...

Is the Federal Government really getting it right on the subject of Health Care Reform?

Morning Bell: The Obamacare Rationing Threat To Your Mammograms - Heritage Foundation

Last week, the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued new
guidelines recommending that women in their 40s no longer have annual
mammograms and that women ages 50 to 74 have them only every other year, instead of annually. The recommendations were highly controversial, and by week’s end most health insurers and the federal Medicare program said they would ignore the panel’s recommendation and continue covering annual mammograms. This is as it should be: the federal government collects information and makes recommendations, and Americans are then free to consult their health care providers, ignoring the government if they so choose. The problem is that Obamacare would forever change this...
relationship...

Critics See Health Care Rationing Behind New Mammography ... ‎ - Fox News
"Is this just a way to start cutting costs for government-run health care?" she asked. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said the new guidelines may discourage a ...

GOP decries 'rationing' on eve of health vote ‎ - Washington Times
Obamacare: 60 Minutes Propaganda Piece Paving the Way for Health ... ‎ - First Things

The Senate returns the week of Nov. 30Th, after Thanksgiving to hit the Health Care discussion hard. If you are concerned about Health Care Reform, this is the time to let your Senators know your feelings.

peace

Tough Saturday for Iowans: The Hawkeyes lose first game of season, while later HR 3200 passes U.S. House, ouch!

Iowa 10

Northwestern 17

Final

The Hawkeyes lose four turnovers in the second quarter and QB Ricky Stanzi to injury to eventually fall to the Wildcats 10-17 at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The beginning looked good, as Iowa opened up with a 10-0 lead. But, instead of taking what the defense would give, short passes, the Hawkeyes were forced to punt, then turned the ball over, and eventually allowed Northwestern to take full control of the game with ball control, field position and mistakes by the Hawkeyes.

‘Cost us a TD and a QB’ - The Gazette

IOWA CITY — On Ricky Stanzi’s right, Iowa had a tackle, tight end and an H-back. Then, the ball was snapped...

Cidsports: Sadly, the tight end and H-Back may have gave away the play with the
pre-snap conversation!

Northwestern 17, Iowa 10: The Fifth Quarter - DesMoinesRegister.com
Iowa players said after Saturday's 17-10 loss that the redshirt freshman from Keokuk had few to no game reps with the No. 1 offense. On the bright side, ...
Final: Northwestern 17, Iowa 10 - ESPN
Big Ten: Iowa's perfect season ruined by Northwestern - Los Angeles Times
Northwestern topples No. 8 Iowa 17-10 - Chicago Tribune

Later on Saturday, the U.S. House passed a revised H.R. 3200 by a vote of "220 to 215 vote on HR 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act, was taken late Saturday evening, and fell largely along party lines, although 39 Democrats voted no and one Republican – Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana – voted yes, according to C-SPAN."

The country has been hit by a “difficult economic shock” over the last year.
He said huge government spending efforts like the stimulus bill haven't helped,
and said the government was on an “unsustainable” course - Rep. John
Boehner (R-Ohio), the House minority leader

House passes health care reform bill Saturday - Lake County News - Elizabeth Larson
A summary of HR 3962 provided by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce states that HR 3962 would include sliding scale affordability credits, ...

When the smoke cleared last night in the House of Representatives, the score
was Speaker Pelosi 220 and the American People 215 - The Examiner

President lies and Pelosi swears to it. Illegal aliens get benefits in ... - The Examiner
It is also worth noting that in its preliminary score of HR 3200, CBO found that in 2019 there would be “about 17 million nonelderly residents uninsured ...

In its preliminary score of H.R. 3962, the Congressional Budget Office noted
that, in 2019 there would be “about 18 million nonelderly residents uninsured
(nearly one third of whom would be unauthorized immigrants).” Thus, unless the
number of illegal immigrants is projected to be fewer than 6 million individuals
in 2019—nearly half the illegal immigrants currently estimated to be in the
U.S.—the CBO score presumes illegals would have health coverage, raising further
questions as to whether or not said coverage would be taxpayer-funded - The
Examiner

Iowans in the Second District re-elected Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) in November 2008. He was among the 220 House members who vote for the bill. His opponent in November 2008, Dr. Marrianette Miller-Meeks does not support this type of Health Care Reform. Dr. Miller-Meeks has been busy at Tea Parties and at Health Care Forums discussing how health care reform should be shaped.

Loebsack pleased with vote on health care bill - Burlington Hawk Eye
"A lot of things, we've actually improved since it was (the earlier) HR 3200." Among the improvements are the provisions Loebsack and his fellow Iowa ...

Tough Saturday for Hawkeye fans and those concerned about the direction Health Care Reform is taking in Washington D.C. QB Ricky Stanzi joins RB Adam Robinson and OL Dace Richardson with ankle injuries and likely the rehab room for the rest of the regular season.

The Hawkeyes will face a tough road in Columbus next Saturday for the Big Ten title and the right to represent the Big Ten Conference in the Rose Bowl.

On the Health Care Reform front, taxpayers and Americans will face a tough battle as the Health Care debate moves the U.S. Senate, where hopefully long-term impact and fallout from the House plan will be thoughtfully debated and overturned.

peace

Received the following Election Day e-mail from Ron Corbett's campaign

Please vote! and a big THANK YOU.

Today is the day. Please make the effort to vote.

I look back over the last eight months and think how fast the time has gone. Many people have worked hard on this campaign. It was a team effort that we all hope will end in success at 8:00 p.m. tonight. Thanks to everyone who helped along the way.

The polls close at 8:00 p.m. You are invited to an election party starting at 7:30. We will meet at the IBEW 405 Hall at 1211 Wiley Blvd., SW. They will have a big screen to watch the results as the precincts report. You are welcome to send this email around and invite others. We have received many endorsements, but the biggest endorsement is the endorsement of the people. Please take the time to vote.

Paid for by Corbett for Mayor

Happy All Saints' Day: It's November 1, 2009

Per the Gazette, 23% of the public 'Don't know/no answer' who they would vote for on the November 3, 2009 Municipal Election in the City of Cedar Rapids. More on the story titled:
Poll: Corbett leads Fagan in Cedar Rapids mayoral race - The Gazette

The City of Cedar Rapids has an interesting election on Tuesday. Will the voters support candidate Brian Fagan, who is lock, stock and barrel with City Manger Jim Prosser or will they go with a new direction, candidate Ron Corbett? Mr. Prosser is a proponent of the Carver Governance Model, which Fagan has taken too, as well. James Prosser - Lyle, IL - KCRG-TV
Mr. Prosser came from a consultants position to become our City's first city manager and he has been a strong proponent in the use of consultants in the roughly 3-1/3 years he has been in Cedar Rapids.

In the District 3 council race, The Gazette has an article titled Opponents decry McGrane’s District 3 campaign flier. It's certainly interesting to see an incumbent who is At-Large step down and face an incumbent in a District race. That is exactly what is happening as incumbent District 3 council member faces current At-Large council member Pat Shey.

The Shey campaign dropped literature off to District 2 voters on Sunday in Cedar Rapids. Two other candidates are on the ballot in District 3, including Kathy Potts.

Voters in Cedar Rapids and else where in the State of Iowa will conduct municipal elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Polls in Cedar Rapids are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

If elected, he will ask the City Council to put City Manager Jim Prosser under a
90-day assessment “to see how he performs.” - Ron Corbett

Cedar Rapids mayoral candidates debate city manager’s merits - The Gazette

Common ground: Mayoral candidates excelled as young football players - The Gazette

• One candidate was a Division III all-American running back (Ron Corbett)
• One candidate was a third-team all-State defensive lineman (P.T. Larson)
• One candidate was a first-time all-metro selection (Brian Fagan)

Big disparity in mayoral campaign contributions - The Gazette

McGrane leads in council campaign contributions - The Gazette

Hawkeye Labor Council endorses Corbett for mayor - The Gazette

Labor council endorses Corbett for Cedar Rapids mayor - The Gazette

In State of Iowa government news, a special election will be held on November 24, 2009 for House District 33 in Cedar Rapids, which includes SE and SW Cedar Rapids voting precincts.

Running-Marquardt (Dem.) vs. Thurston (Rep.)

Democrats nominate Running-Marquardt in House 33 - The Gazette

Iowa GOP: Chairman Strawn congratulates Republican candidate in House District 33 -IowaPolitics.com (press release) - Danielle Plogmann
... like Josh getting involved to try and change the direction of his community and our state.” Thurston, 27, works at Cargill West in Cedar Rapids and is a ...

Finally, what about Health Care reform and a public option?

Harkin predicts public option will be law - The Gazette

Does the public really want the Federal Government to move more and more into the operations of 1/6Th of the United States economy?

peace

Final Weekend before Tuesday's Municipal Election in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids mayoral candidates debate city manager’s merits - The Gazette
Posted on Oct 30, 2009 by Rick Smith.

• We would suggest that Mr. Jim Prosser's being named the state’s “City Manager of the Year” a year ago was due to his lobbying efforts on behalf of Cedar Rapids and all municipal governments throughout the State.

BizPac Endorses Cedar Rapids City Council Candidates - KCRG-TV
By Rick Smith, Reporter

• Don't forget to Vote on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 in Cedar Rapids
• A run-off election will be held on December 1, 2009, if necessary

peace