New Cedar Rapids City Council begins work under leadership of new Mayor Ron Corbett

We want to wish the new City Council of the City of Cedar Rapids the very best as they get started in 2010 ...

LIVE COVERAGE: Mayor Corbett holds first council meeting, 5:30 p.m. - The Gazette
Ron Corbett will hold his first city council meeting as mayor tonight. Rick Smith will provide live coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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Local Headline: "Vernon’s criticism spurs action on police substation"

Vernon’s criticism spurs action on police substation - The Gazette by Rick Smith.

Citizens and local Business Owners are encouraged to attend the Cedar Rapids City Council Meeting June 24Th at 5:30.

Today's Cedar Rapids City Council meeting for June 24Th is at 5:30 PM in the AEGON USA Auditorium, 4333 Edgewood Rd. NE, West side of the main building.

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Super Bowl Sunday: Kurt Warner vs. the real Front Page news

The Gazette arrived this morning with the much anticipated 12 page spread on Kurt Warner and Super Bowl 43, but maybe it served as cover for the real front page story by Rick Smith, buried beneath the Special Section?

Online: Breaking News
The Headline: Frustration mounts in flood recovery CEDAR RAPIDS - Temperatures are spiking inside and outside City Hall.

A pastor at a local church commented about it in today's sermon. In the news here is Iowa basketball, Zach Johnson and of course, Kurt Warner, but also the frustration and anxiety over the Flood of 2008 and the future within our community.

It wouldn't be normal not to have some anxiety right now. It's to be expected.

One clear byproduct from the Flood of 2008, is the desire within and outside Cedar Rapids to raise taxes and other revenues. How much will the Flood be used to justify for higher taxes? There was a move pre-flood to increase city and county revenue streams. Cedar Rapids was one of the leaders in the State of Iowa bringing about such discussion and lobbying efforts.

• 1% Local Option Sales Tax
• 8 to 10 cent increase in the State's Gas Tax
• Local Income Surtax
• 10% increase in Residential Property Taxes
• 7% increase in Industrial and 6-7% increase in Commercial Tax
• 14% increase in Water Fees
• Local Impact Fees on new development
• Local Cigarette Tax
• Local Wheel Tax
• Local governments collecting money from non-profits

Cedar Rapids residents call for more flood recovery communication by Phil Harvey -The Gazette writes, CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapidians want their city rebuilt and built better.

Rick Smith's blog: eye on the island has some other interesting tidbits about the Cedar Rapids government today. From Westdale Mall to Consultants to separate fees for residents vs. non-residents, Rick covers the City Hall beat for The Gazette.

Buttry: Wanted - Pushy leadership for C.R. The Gazette's Steve Buttry, editor opines...
Leaders at all levels are failing Cedar Rapids.We need to get tough. We need to get mean. And we need to do it now.

Among the Federal Government, the State of Iowa, and local taxing authorities, including the Cedar Rapids and Linn County; taxes and increases in other fees appear to be growing and growing in popularity. Of course, we see layoffs and declines in GDP, worse since 1982, also making headlines locally and nationally.

It was interesting to listen to comments from those impacted by the Flood of 2008. For example, with Jumpstart's lead based paint mitigation requirements, there is simply a lack of common sense. The key word often... is a need to get back to Limited Government. There clearly is a role for government, often, it's oversight, but the continued growth of the governmental sector is more than alarming right now... at all levels.

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A Live Chat Today with The Gazette on Local Sales Tax

Live chat: On proposed sales tax increase for Cedar Rapids today from 11 am to 11:30 am with The Gazette's Rick Smith.

Proposal by local councilman in The Gazette story by Rick Smith.

Eye on the Island - By Rick Smith The Gazette
Latest post: Prosser named Iowa’s ‘Manager of the Year,’ but he didn’t tell anybody

http://twitter.com/cidsports

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A commentary received in the mail from P.T.L...

A commentary received recently regarding concerns of lack of limited and efficiency government in Cedar Rapids...

Blogosphere:

Local Media Outlets are reporting that the City Manager in C.R. was named
Iowa Manager of the Year, but he didn't tell anyone.

While his humility is to be commended, we have a member of our C.R. City
Council proposing a 2 cents on the dollar Option Tax, without a Vote, which
isn't even legal in Iowa, yet...and hopes the State Legislature will allow,
under the Broad Category, to help Flood victims. This tax,is being
proposed for 10 years. Where's the Manager's Leadership hereto squelch
such rhetoric in its idea phase, and set the record straight on what's allowed
by the Code of Iowa?

Soon the City will divvy out shares of the Annual Hotel/Motel Tax for next
year? Will the focus of this Million Dollars Plus in Annual Revenue go
towards Flood Relief? With projected revenue shortfalls ahead, due to both the
Flood and the Economy, personnel cuts and Privatization of Publicly run entities
will definitely be on the table as options to improve our use of tax dollars to
fund City Government. What is our City Manager's Vision for improving
Government's Efficiency in a Post-Flood, Economic Downturn C.R.?

Good Government requires Good Vision, Timely implementation of Policies and
retooling and restaffing to meet the new and emerging priorities of the
day! Now that Jimmy has earned his Stripes by being lauded as being the
Best Manager in Iowa, will he live up to his pedigree and our expectations as he
steers us forward using Limited and Efficient Government to guide us through
this Post-Flood Era in the City of 5 Seasons?

Time will tell, as we continue to march towards 2020, with Perfect Vision
for our future, hoping and praying that it's implemented on a Broad Scale to
Protect and Serve our City's Future Viability and Competitive Drive against the Dubuque's,
Waterloo's, Ft. Dodge's and West Des Moines' in securing our share of the pie for our
friends, neighbors and fellow Cedar Rapidians! Is Jimmy on Board with this?
Our Economic future, or lack there of, DEPENDS on it!

Indian Creek Neighborhood Blogger,
Mister P.T.L.

Article on the Justin Shields proposal from KCRG-TV last week.

Rick Smith's recent blog post for the Cedar Rapids Gazette comments about the City of Cedar Rapids' city manager's award.

http://twitter.com/cidsports

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