The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for 2009 ...

Where do we start as we close out the Year 2009?

There is always more good in the world, than bad. But, things are getting ugly in many respects.

The Good ...

• Christmas - we hope everyone had a very nice Christmas 2009
• Family - the love of family is always special
• Community - 'Who is my neighbor' - if willing, you will often find good people to break bread and get to know ...
• New leadership in Cedar Rapids in 2010, as Ron Corbett is elected Mayor in 2009
• Private flood recovery and small business flood recovery

The Bad ...

• Well, the loss of life isn't always a bad thing. Many people simply live a long life and time reaches a point, where they gently pass on. But, it is tough to lose friends, family and loved ones to age, cancer, accident, H1N1 and/or tragedy. Two more die of H1N1 flu
• The Economy
• The time consumed by social networking, blogging and other demands of time at work and otherwise ...
• Not always keeping up with our blogs ...
• The next recession, which appears around the corner, due to our public policies ...
• Our Federal Government and State Government's expansion throughout 2009
• The transition in Cedar Rapids to the Council-Manager Form of Government over the past four years ...
• Tax Climate

The Ugly ...

• More terrorism on the horizon in the USA - Fort Hood and Christmas Flight to Detroit
• Health Care Reform and tactics
• Congressional Earmarks
• We could add to the list, but we would suggest the following needs to be promoted in 2010 and that there is more good in life, than bad ...

Needed in 2010 ...

• Limited Spending
• Limited Government
• Life
• Liberty
• Pursuit of Happiness

Governments and individuals need to uphold established standards of ethics and prudence at all levels. Whether it be a political organization, a local, state or federal government, we have a lot of work to do to build a better tomorrow and to rebuild the trust of the American taxpayer.

The past year, we ran across a person who at the end of many conversations or e-mails, would simply say in his salutation or his departure ... "Pay Taxes"

While government has an important role at all levels, there is more to life than taxes ...

Let's work to build a better tomorrow, with getting involved in our local communities and working to better know our neighbors.

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

Freedom Festival gets started in the City of Cedar Rapids: June 18 to July 4, 2009

As the official web site proclaims:

Welcome to Freedom Festival 2009
Get ready for 17 days of outstanding summer fun – June 18
through July 4. Don’t miss – tribute to heroes, fireworks, concerts, races,
parades, office Olympics, pancakes, Patriot’s Bazaar, Little Toot the Train, and
much, much more.

The annual Cedar Rapids event runs June 18 to July 4, 2009 in the City of Cedar Rapids.

peace

March 3Rd Local Option Sales Tax approaching for Cedar Rapids and much of Linn County, Iowa

Is the Cedar Rapids ballot language clear and well written? Unlike Iowa City, the City of Cedar Rapids rushed to get the sales tax thrown together and on the ballot for a March 3Rd vote. The City of Iowa City took their time and will vote May 5, 2009, as Iowa law provided.

Does Cedar Rapids have other options? Yes, they can redraft the language and get it right for taxpayers for an August 4, 2009 or November 3, 2009 vote. The City of Cedar Rapids can re-write the language and a re-vote is possible, if the voters in the City of Cedar Rapids turndown the March 3Rd ballot language. The following article by The Gazette's Adam Belz answers questions on the local-option sales tax points out this option for the City of Cedar Rapids and taxpayers (voters).,

For more information on the upcoming vote on March 3rd in Linn County, visit the Linn County Auditor's web site.

The Gazette has another interesting development on the upcoming Local Option Sales Tax.
Sales tax law change affects amount to counties The Gazette points out...

A little-noticed change that is part of the state's new local-option sales
tax law significantly reduces the amount of revenue coming to unincorporated
Linn and Johnson counties and increases the revenue that could go to the city of
Marion and Iowa...

Cedar Rapids State Senator Rob Hogg worked out a change in the State's formula, as the article points out.

The City of Cedar Rapids did rush the vote for March 3Rd. They are completing resolutions to clean up the damage, but voters should be careful, because like the Board of Supervisors pay issue, the City Council can change resolutions as easy as they create them. The ballot language is what really is key, when reviewing the merits of a 5 year and 3 month local option sales tax.

On Monday, Doug Neumann of the ERPC discussed with the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids as The Gazette reported in the following article Cedar Rapids recovery group asks for $22.4 million.

What happens if local-option sales fails... as The Gazette web site is painting...

Ask Rob Hogg what will happen if the proposed local-option sales tax fails
March 3 in Cedar Rapids, and he paints a grim picture. The state senator
envisions blocks and blocks of abandoned homes rotting in the summer heat and
humidity, surrounded by... More
>>

Well, one real option for the City of Cedar Rapids and taxpayers have is a re-vote and better ballot language. There is more than one way to skin a cat. If Cedar Rapids needs to get a "skin in the game" shouldn't it be done right?

peace