Weapons ban on the horizon? Popular Police calls in Cedar Rapids

From the Monday April 20, 2009 edition of the Washington Times. The newspaper features an article titled, NRA official rips weapons-ban bid. For more on this issue, read Public Interest Institute Brief: Do citizens have the right to keep and bear arms? Original intent says yes.

Locally, The Gazette highlighted in an article by Adam Belz The top 25 places Cedar Rapids police were called to.

Total Calls, Address, Location

1. 342, 4444 1st Ave. E, Lindale Mall
2. 335, 3601 29th Ave. SW, Wal-Mart Southwest
3. 331, 3000 J St. SW, Apartments
4. 313, 1026 A Ave. NE, St. Luke’s Hospital
5. 281, 2645 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Wal-Mart Northeast
6. 260, 701 10th St. SE, Mercy Medical Center
7. 242, 1556 1st Ave. E, Hy-Vee
8. 197, 2600 Edgewood Rd. SW, Westdale Mall
9. 185, 1430 1st Ave. E, Road Ranger
10. 167, 3325 Southgate Ct. SW, Motel 6
11. 155, 1263 1st Ave. E, Apartments
12. 151, 310 5th Ave. SE, Geneva Tower
13. 140, 3100 16th Ave. SW, Budget Inn
14. 128, 20 Wilson Ave. SW, Hy-Vee
15. 124, 1261 1st Ave. E, Apartments
16. 121, 1407 3rd Ave. SE, Apartments
17. 121, 1415 Bever Ave. SE, Apartments
18. 119, 1243 20th St. SW, Jefferson HS
19. 112, 2030 Glass Rd. NE, Apartments
20. 111, 4600 1st Ave. E, Sears
21. 111, 401 76th Ave. SW, College Community Schools
22. 107, 5910 4th St. SW, Lumberyard
23. 107, 4545 Wenig Rd. NE, Kennedy High School
24. 106, 1323 1st Ave. E, Who’s on First
25. tied/ 105, 2205 Forest Dr. SE, Washington HS tied/ 105, 1530 1st Ave. E, McDonald’s

The following calls for service were removed from the total count as they were self-initiated or initiated by the officer. These calls included:Bar Checks; Business Checks; Traffic Stops; Accidents; School Checks; Motel Checks; Foot Patrols; Cops Projects; Selective Enforcement Projects; Transport Prisoners; Meet Officer; Investigation; Street Storage.

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The Gazette reports Cedar Rapids Library lays off employees; plus other news over the past week in Cedar Rapids...

April 19Th, in a story titled 7 lose jobs at Cedar Rapids library Rick Smith of The Gazette is reporting that "the city has laid off two full-time and five part-time library employees."

Are these the first cuts by the Library, since the Flood of 2008? The story doesn't say.

Other local news this past week from The Gazette:

I-380 resurfacing to close lanes in Cedar Rapids - Important to keep the driving surface safe, especially after all the challenges driving between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids on I-380 pre-Flood of 2008

Flooded areas challenging for census workers - Will Iowa lose a U.S. House of Representative in 2012, after the 2010 census? Most likely...

Iowa same-sex marriage ruling followed careful campaign - We define marriage as between a Husband and Wife (Man and Women). But, Bishop Julius C. Trimble of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church wrote this month that "civil marriages must be judged under the constitutional standards of equal protection and not under religious doctrines or religious views of individuals."

Ruling spurs new Iowa marriage forms - One of the initial concerns we have had were the terms Husband or Wife... "bride" or "groom" being eliminated. Simply, replaced by the terms "Partner" and "Spouse," so it nice to hear that is not the case in the State of Iowa.

The department said it changed the forms to conform to the court's ruling "so
that all couples can have access to the institution of marriage on terms which
accurately identify and record their marital relationship." - The Gazette article

Sykora Bakery reopening in Czech Village - nice to hear more news on the recovery from the Flood of 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

Injured officer Davis moved to St. Luke's for rehab - Welcome back to your hometown, hopefully the path to returning to your home is one step closer to being a reality. God Bless your service to our community Officer Tim Davis. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family and friends. Let's please find a way to stop the violence.

In the words of Jenny Smith, a student at the United Theological Seminary in Ohio, "We do our very best to love persons whose words we disagree with." It is something to remember not only dealing with the same-sex marriage issue, but with all issues.

Washington grads raise money, awareness for Cedar Rapids recovery - great to see people coming to the aid of their hometown!

Abandoned, flooded properties may go to city - Balance between property rights and our City's Flood Recovery?

Want a flood buyout? It's first come, first served -Reminds us a little how the YMCA handled Camp Wapsie enrollments back several years ago. Time will tell, just how smooth flood buyouts will work in the City of Cedar Rapids!

Is respect for police authority declining? - Sadly, often circumstances get worse, before they get better. The challenges ahead in Cedar Rapids are a community problem. Our law enforcement often respond to problems like a "hammer," but our community needs to become the solution and become more proactive.

VIDEO: Tiger Dam flood control demonstrated in Cedar Rapids - Flood mitigation will be a very important issue in the City Cedar Rapids now and into the future. Sadly, we didn't respond enough from the Flood of 1993 that paled in comparison to the Flood of 2008.

Video: Gunshots fired from car in Cedar Rapids - as mentioned, we need to step up as a community. "Who is My Neighbor" - the solution is with all of us as neighbors and members of this wonderful community.

Arson suspected in grass fire near Indian Creek Nature Center - If you see a crime being committed, please contact law enforcement. We need to look out for one another as neighbors and as Cedar Rapidians!

The predicted flood of cats is becoming reality - Should Cedar Rapids have a maximum pet number for each household in the community? Other cities in the Midwest do! Down the road in Iowa City they are talking about allowing chickens in the neighborhoods. Fowl idea? Give it a try Could Cedar Rapids be next?

I-380 speedsters: You might want to read this -

Cause of Gateway Gardens fire still unknown - Don't forget your renters insurance... you never know when you can become a victim.

Cedar Rapids police contemplate charging for 'nuisance' calls - What does Property Taxes pay for in Cedar Rapids? Will we see a property tax rebate, with the addition of a variable fee, as opposed to continued raising of fixed fees (IE: Property Taxes) in our community? Will it be a revenue generator or create some teeth to go after those creating a "nuisance" or violating City Ordinances or State Law?

MUSIC: Rockin’ worship - We don't the the same quantity and often quality of music acts in Cedar Rapids, as when there was less competition for the Five Seasons Center, but it is nice to hear that we are getting a few.

Downtown businesses asked to show steam bills - Some downtown business have simply had to turn off the steam, so bills wouldn't show all the impact from the Flood of 2008.

Red-placarded Cedar Rapids homes getting re-inspection - Sadly, we are going to lose some housing stock in Cedar Rapids post-Flood of 2008.

Cedar Rapids considering landlord license program - Is the City of Cedar Rapids doing enough to enforce and utilize current State Law? For example, Crime Free Lease Addendum's are a good recommendations for Landlords, but when criminal activity occurs... there are steps that can be taken to achieve enforcement. Further, what is the City of Cedar Rapids planning to do with the people who do not conform with our community standards?

Photos: More than 600 protest taxation policies - April 15, 2009 - TEA Parties locally and throughout the USA over not only taxation, but deficit spending by our government.

Limited Government is encouraged here!

TEA = Taxed Enough Already

Deficit Spending will require increased taxation to pay back for the increased government spending.

Plans for new Cedar Rapids library move ahead - FEMA is expected to pay for most of the expected $24 million in costs... the goal for completion is 2011.

About 250 gather to talk about race, police, violence - St. Paul's UMC hosted a Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission Town Meeting on Tuesday, April 14Th titled "Community Connections: Taking Ownership For Where We Live."

Nearly 1,000 show up at benefit for Officer Davis - On the same evening as the Town Meeting - a benefit was held for Officer Davis. A separate second fundraiser was held on Saturday, April 18Th at Grace Baptist Church. The pancake breakfast was held.

Don't forget the old saying that KCRG-TV used to run in the 1970s:

It's 10 o'clock: Do you know where your children are?

Parents and neighbors play an important role is supervising and watching out for our children in our community.

Finally, today's article on Limited Government comes from the Friday, April 17, 2009 edition of the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper features an article titled, "Iowa House OKs limited meetings, records measure." For more on this issue, read the Public Interest Institutes's February issue of the Iowa Transparency Newsletter.

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A look ahead: Newsweek talks Energy and a look at the future/past week in Iowa

Whether it be locally, statewide or nationally, the movement is towards expanding the size, role and cost of government is unfolding. For Americans who seek Limited Government, it can certainly lead to heartburn and headache. When will some of the madness stop?

We hear the fears of the United States moving towards socialism. We hear concerns towards one world government. Locally, what is the future for the traditional marriage: with "Husband and Wife" streaked out, with the terms "Partner and Spouse" inserted in future marriage licenses in the State of Iowa? Links to stories on 4/3/09 ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Today's article comes from the latest issue of Newsweek magazine, dated
April 13, 2009. The magazine features an article titled, Our Tanks Are On Full: The energy
crisis is an artificial one, created by bad policies. For more on
this issue, read Iowa Economic Scorecard: Do
We Need A National Energy Policy? - Public Interest Institute

Further, the Iowa State Legislature is expected to reopen discussion on the Elimination of Federal Deductablility when it comes to figuring your Iowa Taxes. Ironically, Federal Individual Taxes Returns for 2008 are due on April 15Th. Look for discussion in Des Moines on the 14Th. The Iowans for Tax Relief is organizing a rally on Capitol Hill in Des Moines during debate.

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is hosting an important Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, April 14Th at 6 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. This event is open to the public.

Community Connections: Taking Ownership For Where We Live
Join a
community dialogue about current violence and police presence in specific
areas of Cedar Rapids. Let’s discuss how we can work together to solve
problems.
Click here for a flyer for this event. - Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

From The Gazette: a story yesterday titled Flood helps Cedar Rapids woman discover other side of God.

Due the the current violence in Cedar Rapids, The Gazette reported yesterday the following story titled Police chief asks Cedar Rapids parents to 'step up'. The Gazette covered earlier story such as the attack on the Cedar Rapids Police Officer and the story on the attack on a nine-year old youth by another youth.

The Gazette reported recently in the story titled Kirkwood will increase tuition 3.7 percent due to demands in budgets at Kirkwood Community College based in Cedar Rapids.

As we mentioned earlier, on Friday, April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Iowa's traditional marriage law adopted in 1998 unconstitutional (link to ruling). The State Legislature is going to let nature take it's course, rather than step in and discuss the void left by the decision.

The Gazette reported in story titled Traditional marriage backers rally outside Iowa Statehouse this past week. By the way, it's no more "Husband and Wife", when it comes to Marriage Licenses in the State of Iowa. The terms will be taken out by administrative officials and replaced by the terms "Partner and Spouse" for all cases. Why not have two options in the State of Iowa? The Gazette reported in another related story titled Same-sex amendment vote ruled out of order.

By the way, The Gazette will be tested financially on the issue, as Rob Roy had one local subscriber call to say... it's the "Gayzette" now... Some story links from the editorials by The Gazette on the Supreme Court ruling.

Finally, taxes, costs and fees are going up for Citizens of the City of Cedar Rapids.

On Wednesday, the Cedar Rapids City Council finalized their next budget. The Gazette reported in story titled Cedar Rapids council diversifies revenue, sets budget. On the City of Cedar Rapids web site you will find the following:

• a link to new! FY09 Fees
• Thursday, April 9, 2009 All Residents Encouraged to Help Write Job Description for New Flood Recovery Manager
• Thursday, April 9, 2009 Mediacom to air April Edition of City Cable TV Show
• Thursday, April 9, 2009 RRCT Releases Nine Month Progress Report

Is it a surprise that there is no clear link to the new budget? Where's the link on the approval of the new City budget?

We changed the form of Government in 2005, but the web site format surprisingly enough appears to be using the same format before the change. Is Cedar Rapids incorporating enough "Best Practices" approaches, when it comes to City Government? Where's the transparency and accountability.

By the way, don't forget to write to the City of Cedar Rapids with your thoughts on the Job Description for the new Flood Recovery Manager.

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