Is it Time to Connect the Dots America?

UN Agenda 21 - Coming to a Neighborhood near You - American Thinker

Most Americans are unaware that one of the greatest threats to their freedom may be a United Nations program known as Agenda 21. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development created Agenda 21 as a sustainability agenda which is arguably an amalgamation of socialism and extreme environmentalism brushed with anti-American, anti-capitalist overtones. - American Thinker

So, are we seeing it with the decision in Cedar Falls this month? - YouTube

City Ordinance Demands Keys From Citizens for Lock Boxes ... - healthfreedoms.org
Jun 13, 2011 ... For citizens of Cedar Falls, Iowa, ordinance 2740 (unfunded city-wide ... based on footage from the May 23 City Council meeting and posted it to YouTube. ... “If it does pass, we are going to file a lawsuit,” Saul said. ...

The City of Cedar Rapids passed a revised Chapter 29 in 2010.

In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the government is attempting to nullify the Fourth Amendment. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the third and final reading of an ordinance adopting a 2009 International Fire Code that specifies the fire chief can require lock boxes for emergency access to keys to buildings. - Kurt Nimmo

By the way, the 2009 International Fire Code was approved in Cedar Rapids with the adoption of the revised Chapter 29.

One World Government Quotes By World Leaders
One World Government Quotes By World Leaders: Henry Kissinger, David Rockefeller ... Al Gore, Barack Hussein Obama, French President Chirac, Strobe Talbott, ...

We had an interesting conversation today in Cedar Rapids. Tonight, after that conversation, we googled the following on Governor Rick Perry of Texas.

Bilderberg-Approved Perry Set to Become Presidential Frontrunner ...
Jun 20, 2011 ... Look beyond the rhetoric and study what Perry has actually done in his role as Governor – he's the ultimate globalist – his every action ...www.infowars.com/bilderberg-approved-perry-set-to-become-presidential-frontrunner/

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness ...

Don't take your future for granted, as you watch reality TV or follow your favorite sporting event in the United States of America.

peace

May 3, 2011: How should we pay for Infrastructure Needs in Linn County, Iowa?

Yes, it's the last day of the month, the 30Th of April 2011.

On Tuesday, May 3Rd, voters in Linn County, Iowa, except for people in three small townships, will vote to extend the local option sales tax for twenty years through 2034. Those other three cities have already done that. The sales tax will remain seven percent, which it is currently.

In Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha and Robins, each City is planning to use the 20 year extension of the L.O.S.S.T or local option sales tax as an Infrastructure Tax [PDF of ballot]. The fifth city in the voting block of five (Hiawatha) is not.

The infrastructure in Linn County and our communities is getting older. Like with our pools in Cedar Rapids, they reached the age where they needed to be replaced. Much of the infrastructure in Linn County has reached an age, where replacement is needed. In Cedar Rapids, four tenths of every cent (40 percent) will be used for existing street infrastructure.

The City of Cedar Rapids choose to not allocate funds, since 1967 to ward off the historical flood that occurred in 2008. The 1967 Flood Study predicted the Flood of 2008. It is time to have a funding source for flood protection systems. Several plans are being discussed. The City of Cedar Rapids needs a funding source for the final plans.

Sales tax is a natural option for local communities for infrastructure projects. The State of Iowa limits municipal and county governments to one percent. In many cases, like with roads, people who use our roads, can help in funding them. A sales tax over a property tax provides us with that opportunity for those who work and visit our community to help in maintaining that infrastructure.

We are voting "Yes" on May 3Rd. We support a local Infrastructure Tax.

peace

Happy Easter weekend to everyone; May 3Rd L.O.S.S.T vote moves closer in Cedar Rapids, Marion and Linn County, Iowa

Thursday night was a big night, when both sides on the local option sales/service tax vote came together for a community forum sponsored by ImpactCR, among others.

The March 2009 local option tax approved by the voters of Cedar Rapids has come with a price. The ballot language was very broad and it has ruffled feathers, since 2010, when Mayor Ron Corbett and the current City Council began utilizing the tax. Sadly, it is in place through 2014 and can't be replaced immediately by the improved language in the May 3Rd ballot language.

On May 3Rd, the voters of Cedar Rapids will have the opportunity to approve a 20 year tax for the following:

• Property Tax Relief (10%),



• Flood Protection Systems for the East and West sides of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids (50%) and



• Existing Road Improvements (40%).

We support the L.O.S.T.T. for the City of Cedar Rapids, along with the other infrastructure tax votes in Marion, Hiawatha and Robins. Fairfax is the fifth community voting as a metro block on May 3Rd with the City of Cedar Rapids. We believe a sales tax, as opposed to higher property taxes, is a more prudent approach to resolving the deferred road issues impacting the Cedar Rapids community. Further, in 1967, a flood report recommended flood protection needs for the City of Cedar Rapids. If flood protection is going to become a reality in Cedar Rapids, sales tax is a fair approach to paying for our flood protection needs in our community.

Most communities the size of Cedar Rapids have a sales tax. One percent is very fair tax rate. Take a look at local taxes throughout the Midwest. Currently, five percent of the sales tax collected moves to the State of Iowa in Linn County. An additional one percent of the sales tax collected moves to the State of Iowa for school districts. The final one percent can be used for local municipal purposes. The State of Iowa doesn't allow a higher rate for local communities.

peace

Thirty days and counting until May 3 Tax Extention Vote in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa

Happy April to everyone ...

March Madness has ended, with the Final Four this weekend and the NCAA Championship Game on Monday night, which will feature UConn vs. Butler.

Major League Baseball has opened for 2011. How long will Chicago Cubs fans carry there hope in 2011?

On May 3Rd, the City of Cedar Rapids voters, along with voters throughout Linn County will consider a twenty year extension of the Local Option Sales Tax. The Pro-Tax folks in Cedar Rapids have started to place blue yard signs supporting the Tax. The group called, Protect Cedar Rapids Committee, is going to be campaigning throughout the month of April holding daily neighborhood meetings during the work week.

In February, the City Council approved the ballot language for the May 3, 2011 vote.

On Friday, April 1, the first Pro-Tax neighborhood meeting was held at Harrison E.S. in NW Cedar Rapids. A neighborhood hit hard from the Flood of 2008.

Cedar Rapids Holds First Public Meeting on LOST Extension‎ - Eastern Iowa Government Option sales tax in Cedar Rapids draws a crowd at a local elementary school. ... Corbett has planned until the LOST vote happens May 3 of this year. ...

Prior to starting the neighborhood meeting circuit, the Pro-Tax supporters meet with The Gazette Editorial Board.

Baird, Corbett test sales-tax pitch before neighborhood meetings - The Gazette

Top Stories - New L.O.S.T Campaign Ad Featuring CR ... - KGAN CBS 2 Mar 24, 2011 ... The Push is on Ahead of May 3rd L.O.S.T. Vote · Iowans Get First Glimpse at New Iowa ... Your 2 Cents with Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett ...

There are groups opposing the Local Option Sales Tax extension in Cedar Rapids. One of the leaders of the local Tea Party group suggested orally they would have an alternative for how Flood Protection for the east and west sides of the river should be funded, but we haven't heard formally how it should be handled differently?

• Sales Taxes


• Property Taxes


• Do nothing - Flood Insurance?


• new local Income Tax

Another group is very vocal against our current Mayor, City Council and the proposed extension of the local sales tax. This group prides itself with the following slogan: "We commit to the citizens of Cedar Rapids that we will work to protect the citizens from the antics of the CR City Council." There web site has the following statement: "Vote No on the Local Option Sales Tax Extension on May 3, 2011." The group has said it is not a political organization.

The another part of the $375 million proposal to build flood protection on the east and west sides of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids will come from the State of Iowa.

Cedar Rapids flood protection funding begins to take shape in Iowa Legislature - The Gazette DES MOINES – A plan that could provide up to $30 million a year for Cedar Rapids area flood recovery is beginning to take shape in the Iowa Legislature. Although the plan is in draft form, meaning no bill has been filed or assigned to a committee, representatives of Cedar Rapids reminded a 12-member legislative ...

City Manager Pomeranz: “We can never let Cedar Rapids flood again” - The Gazette CEDAR RAPIDS — Invite the public for a visit with high-profile, hotel-buying, Second Avenue-closing Mayor Ron Corbett, and you’re apt to get a crowd. Last night, though, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz held the first of three, Thursday-evening “meet-and-greets” as a way to introduce himself to the community and had only about 15 residents come out to ...

The final step will come from the Federal Government. Sadly, the U.S. Corp. of Engineers recommendation to the Feds does not include funding any protection for the west side of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids.

Flood Report for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Calls for Better Protection ... - Insurance Journal Sep 7, 2010 ... The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft report that calls for a better, if limited, flood-protection system in Cedar Rapids, ...

Cedar River, Cedar Rapids, IowaFlood Risk Management - US Army Corp of Engineers

• City of Cedar Rapids flood information


• City's Flood Recovery Plan

The upcoming ballot item is extremely important for the Citizens of Cedar Rapids and throughout Linn County. Hopefully, the community dialogue will be a productive one that gets out the facts and truth about the issue coming before the public.

peace

We welcome March: Two months away from L.O.S.T. vote in Linn County, Iowa

On February 22, 2011, the Cedar Rapids City Council during a regular council meeting passed the following for a May 3Rd public measure ...

Discussion and Resolution requesting a special election be held on May 3, 2011 on the extension of a local option sales and services tax to establish and maintain a flood protection
system for both the east and west side of the Cedar River, existing street improvements and
property tax relief. (Angie Charipar) CIP/DID#654114

Exhibit A

(Insert letter to be assigned by the Commissioner of Elections)

SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED? YES □ NO □

Summary: To authorize extension of a local sales and services tax in the city of Cedar Rapids at
the rate of one percent (1 %) to be effective from July 1, 2014, until June 30, 2034.

A local sales and services tax shall be imposed in the city of Cedar Rapids at the rate of one
percent (1 %) to be effective from July 1, 2014, until June 30, 2034.

Revenues from the sales and services tax shall be allocated as follows:
Fifty percent (50%) to establish and maintain a flood protection system on both the east and west side of the Cedar River; and Forty percent (40%) for existing street improvements; and
Ten percent (10%) for property tax relief.

*** *** ***

This year's State of the City address is a little late per the City Charter ...

Mayor Corbett to Present State of the City Address Tomorrow ... - The Gazette
Mar 1, 2011 ... Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett will present his “State of the City” address

tomorrow, March 2, 2011 at noon at the Hotel at Kirkwood Center, ...

Here's a look back at his first State of the City address in 2010.

Corbett On State of the City Speech: "I Just Want To Be Realistic ... - KCRG-TV9
Feb 24, 2010 ... CEDAR RAPIDS - Mayor Ron Corbett said flood victims in Cedar Rapids feel it ... of about 350 people for his first State of the City address.

In June 2011, the City of Cedar Rapids will celebrate the third anniversary of the sixth worse natural disaster in U.S. history. The gulf oil leak surpassed the disaster in Cedar Rapids in 2010.

peace

Happy New Year: 2011 will be an important year for Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA

Happy New Year to all ...

The past three years have been like no other for many in the City of Cedar Rapids

• Flood of 2008


• Recession of 2009


• Change over in the City Manager position of 2010

What will come in the New Year? 2011 has arrived and there will be many questions ahead.

How will the City of Cedar Rapids handle the review of the Home Rule Charter in 2011? Will applications be taken and will they expand the number of people who serve on the Home Rule Charter Review Commission?

Right now, the City plans nine members to review the Home Rule Charter. Early thoughts were for each member of the City Council, including the Mayor, suggesting a name, with the five districts representatives picking a person from their district. In the past, applications, like other boards and commissions, were requested and names were selected from the applications received. The past two charter commissions for the City of Cedar Rapids each had 15 members.

Wow, is this what we expected, when 69% of the voters selected the Council-Manager form of government in 2005?

In February 2011, we will see the Five Seasons Hotel close. Work will formally begin on the Convention Center and U.S. Cellular Center project. The City Council has purchased the hotel, so they can include it in the redevelopment project. When the Five Seasons Center (U.S. Cellular Center) was built, the hotel was built together. Infrastructure was shared. The land has always been the City's, but the hotel and air rights have been private.

What will happen with Flood Mitigation in 2011? Will Cedar Rapids get construction started to protect Downtown, as reinvestment continues there? Will the West Side be protected as well?

In November 2011, our City will have an election of one at-large council member and the district representatives for District 2 (non-downtown/east side district) and District 4 (mainly NW side district).

Some stories to follow in the City of Cedar Rapids as we head into 2011 ...

Branstad sets focus on jobs, economy - The Gazette

VIDEO: Greene Square Park building demolished - The Gazette
Demolition on the Cedar Rapids' park building in Greene Square Park is wrapping up this morning (Dec. 31). The building was used by the Green Square ...

Commission to review Cedar Rapids’ charter, form of government - The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — Is nine the best number of members for the City Council? Should the mayor be a full-timer? Can you imagine a return to five, full-time council members who also manage city departments? Those are apt to be some of the topics discussed by the Charter Review Commission, which the City Council Tuesday ...

Cedar Rapids mayor reflects on his first year in office - The Gazette
One of the great City Hall dust-ups in the decade before the Flood of 2008 centered on a city handout to help replace a tiny, aged grocery with a shiny, specially designed, neighborhood store in a highly visible spot in the 1500 block of busy First Avenue NE. It took years of back and forth ...

Council hires second lobbying firm to secure funding for flood-protection - The Gazette

Council takes steps toward flood-protection system - The Gazette

Branstad says taxes, regulations blocking Iowa job creation - The Gazette
Commercial property tax and regulatory relief are needed for the state’s private sector to create more jobs, according to Governor-elect Terry Branstad. Speaking to a capacity crowd at the Marion Public Library Tuesday, Branstad said commercial property taxes need to be lowered to encourage business expansion and attract new enterprises to Iowa, but not at ...

Hall-Perrine Foundation gives $3 million for new Cedar Rapids library - The Gazette
The Hall-Perrine Foundation of Cedar Rapids has announced yet another award for a city building project. This time, the foundation is giving $3 million to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, an amount which equals about half of the foundation’s fundraising goal for the city’s $45-million library project. The library foundation already has about $1 ...

peace

Closing Streets vs. Buying Hotels or doing neither in the City of Cedar Rapids

The Gazette is reporting in the Sunday edition of the newspaper in the story titled Cedar Rapids will announce purchase of Crowne Plaza that the City will acquire the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel as part of the U.S. Cellular Center/Events Center redevelopment plan.

Other recent news for Cedar Rapids:

• Privatizing parking in C.R. no simple matter - The Gazette


• Payments to renters complicated for Cedar Rapids - The Gazette

Closing streets for the benefit of a private entity is very unusual, though it has been done once already for PCI, with the closing of Seven Street SE between Eighth and Seventh Avenue nearly twenty years ago. PCI has been awarded the 1000-1200 blocks of Second Avenue SE for their medical mall development.

Other local government news for Cedar Rapids:

• Local-option revenue could help buy land for key projects - The Gazette


• Corps endorses flood-protection for east side - The Gazette


• First major wave of flood demolitions nearly finished - The Gazette


• Area flooded in 2008 targeted for new Cedar Rapids housing - The Gazette

Unemployment rate, Linn County, IA - Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
6.3% of the labor force - Not seasonally adjusted - Sep 2010

peace

Wow, August is about to wrap up... Where did our Summer go?

It's been a busy month. Students headed back to schools and colleges. The final weekend in many ways seems like the final weekend of Summer, before we head into Labor Day weekend and September shortly.

In Cedar Rapids, Mt. Mercy College has become a local university, as of this past week.

Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids becomes a university ‎- Radio Iowa
An eastern Iowa school is the second in the state this month to change from a college to a university. Mount Mercy ...

Mount Mercy Change to University Began Years Ago‎ - KCRG
Mass Celebrates Mount Mercy Name Change‎ - KCRG

This past Tuesday, August 24Th, we learned that the City of Cedar Rapids is taking the first step towards the closing of two blocks of Second Avenue SE for a medical mall.

Council Votes 6-3 to Close a Piece of Second Avenue SE‎ - KCRG
By Tracey McCullough CEDAR RAPIDS — After lengthy comment this evening from ... the council voted 6-3 to close a two-block stretch of Second Avenue SE to ...

BBC finds connections between Katrina, Cedar Rapids disasters‎ - Iowa Independent
“The government says 'because you initially helped yourself we won't help you'”, says Nancy Kasparek, president of US Bank in Cedar Rapids. ...

July unemployment rate remains flat in Corridor‎ - TMCnet
Area jobless rate holds steady at 6.3 percent‎ - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

Lake Delhi damage could top $150 million, dam repair may cost $5 million - The Gazette
Damage from late July flooding that breached the Lake Delhi dam could top $150 million and repairs to the dam itself could ...

peace

PCI says that Skywalks "won't work" and closure of Second Avenue is necessary for Cedar Rapids

The Medical District will have a new skywalk over 8Th Street SE near Mercy Hospital, but the citizens and taxpayers of Cedar Rapids are being told it "won't work" for the proposed Medical Mall along Second Avenue SE, between 10Th and 12Th streets. The popular public street needs to be closed and given to a private organization.

Open Houses are being conducted this week in Downtown Cedar Rapids and The Gazette is reporting ...



Skywalks as an alternative to closing Second Avenue won’t work for PCI - The Gazette
Skywalks an Alternative to Closing Second Avenue Won’t Work for PCI - KCRG-TV
Closing a stretch of Second Avenue SE is necessary to facilitate patient flow through the Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa’s proposed new medical “mall” at 10th Street SE and Second Avenue SE, the physicians group has said ...

The group and other representatives of the new Cedar Rapids Medical District are holding open houses:

• Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The open houses will be held in The Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel

The two groups will discuss the Medical District as well as PCI’s plans to build the mall inside the district.

peace

More Public Spending on the way for the City of Cedar Rapids

Talked to a newer Cedar Rapids resident who was concerned about his rising property taxes today at work. He estimated his taxes were going to rise as much as $2,200. He found out about the changing tax climate in our community, when he and his wife went to refinance his house of two years and property taxes came up.

City seeks $12.2 million in I-JOBS funds for amphitheater, fire stations - The Gazette
The City Council is seeking to secure $12.2 million more in state I-JOBS disaster-related funds in a statewide competition for a remaining pot of about $30 million in such funds ...
Council members look at sprucing up gateways into city - The Gazette

While the City of Cedar Rapids needs to rebuild, the questions regarding the designs and costs of flood mitigation infrastructure leads one to pause. The State and Local community typically has to come up with a 35% match with the Federal government.

The Corp of Engineers is still working on the recommendations for our community. Right now, there are significant differences between what our community wants to see vs. what the Corp has been suggesting.

peace

New Political Party being formed in the State of Iowa

In order to form an official political party in the State of Iowa, the supporters of a new political party must run a candidate for either the office of President or the office of Governor. If the candidate receives 2% of the vote, the State of Iowa will officially recognize the political party.

Local Cedar Rapids residents and citizens from outside the City of Cedar Rapids have decided to form a new political party. Here's a link to the The Citizen Action Party.

peace

City of Cedar Rapids continues push to close Second Avenue for Medical Mall

The headline on the Saturday morning newspaper's front page of The Gazette is entitled "Study: C.R. can handle closed Second Avenue." PCI wants to have the City of Cedar Rapids close Second Avenue SE from Tenth to Twelve streets, so PCI can construct a Medical Mall.

The City of Cedar Rapids now has a "draft report" that is a "work in progress" ~ the current "report does not include any cost figures related to the considerable changes to the city's street infrastructure that are premised in the report."

The article reports about the recently completed traffic study by Anderson-Bogert Engineers and Surveryors, Inc. of Cedar Rapids. Reporter Rick Smith wrote that the traffic report: "says the city street system also appears to have sufficient capacity to handle other development that might come nearby and a 'fairly generous' growth in traffic."

What about the cost?

What about the need for taxpayers, citizens and guests to our community needing to "find their way for a few years," if Second Avenue SE between 10Th and 12Th streets is closed and Second and Third avenues remain one-way in certain locations and revert back to two-way in other locations? Between the river and 5Th Street SE, will all our current one-way avenues remain one-way?

This past week we heard there is some people in our community that want to close a portion of Third Avenue SE near the Museum of Art. Did the study include that future recommendation, as well?

How far will this suggestion go with the current City Council?

Mayor Ron Corbett reported again on Monday that the study to close Third Street SE for the Event Center expansion will soon begin. Currently, you can take Third Street SE west to get onto I-380. The City of Cedar Rapids has already closed First Street SE at Eighth Avenue for the new Federal Courthouse.

The City of Cedar Rapids has closed a street in the past for PCI. Seventh Street SE between Eighth and Seventh avenues was closed for one of PCI's current properties in Cedar Rapids. PCI plans to consolidate facilities currently located in SE Cedar Rapids into one Medical Mall.

What will happen to PCI's current facilities?

If Second Avenue isn't closed for PCI's planned Medical Mall, will they exit Cedar Rapids for Hiawatha? A local resident in Cedar Rapids suggested what is wrong with that?

Another local resident commented this week about Verizon's tunnel on Fifth Street beneath the street to connect two buildings that Verizon used for a time. Wouldn't a tunnel be an option as well?

Didn't the original Downtown Framework Plan discourage closing streets?

Typically, functional cities want traffic to flow throughout the community. Streets, trails, sidewalks and other types of paths connect neighborhoods and offer walkers, runners, bikers and vehicle traffic to enter and exit one neighborhood, one after another. They connect communities together. Another viewpoint on issue of closing streets, link.

Earlier this week:

Cedar Rapids man pickets; opposed to Second Avenue closure - The Gazette
Jul 26, 2010 ... GIVE ME A BREAK… when PCI starts offering health care for everyone in Cedar Rapids that uses 2nd Ave then they can close any street they ...

While The Gazette says "can handle closed Second Avenue" note the KCRG headline ...

Street System Could Cope with Closed Second Avenue ‎ - KCRG
CEDAR RAPIDS - A draft of a traffic study on the proposed closing of a section of Second Avenue SE to allow ...

Could we cope with a Closed Second Avenue SE between 10Th and 12Th Avenue?

• How many more streets in Cedar Rapids will be closed for private use?


• How many more streets in Cedar Rapids will be closed for public use?


• How will citizens be allowed to participate in the community dialogue and process?

Meetings set for August on Cedar Rapids Medical Mall proposal ... - The Gazette
Meetings set for August on Cedar Rapids Medical Mall proposal. Posted on Jul 13, 2010 by admin. An artist's rendition of the new Cedar ...

The City Charter promotes the important role of "citizen participation" for our community. In the Long-Term planning for our community, how do these projects measure up? Is the Medical Mall concept in conflict with other reports and plans formulated by the community or government?

Are the Mayor and remaining eight members of the City Council embracing our City Charter?

It appears a group of Landlords are upset with the City Council in regards to Chapter 29. Again, another group in our community has been asked to "find their way for a few years?"

Earlier in the month of July, the City Council on back to back 2Nd and 3Rd readings replaced the existing Chapter 29 with a complete new Chapter 29, drafted by professional staff in the Code Enforcement department and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

While citizens of our community have to live under our community standards in Chapter 29, a citizen board or commission was not used in this case. The same people who will enforce and implement Chapter 29, also wrote it.

What will be the impact be on affordable housing, economic development and the preservation and use of our current housing stock?

Landlord Group Sues City Following New Ordinance - KCRG
Jul 30, 2010 ... CEDAR RAPIDS - The Landlords of Linn County, a group that represents most landlords in ... Landlord Group Sues City Following New Ordinance ...

Why not utilize a Citizen Board or Commission in the legislative process in our community? Isn't that government 101? Isn't that more in keeping with our City Charter?

Why did our City Council rely on professional staff to develop and write public policy?

• Does Iowa Home Rule law permit the City to intervene and govern civil relationships?


• Equal Protection under the 14Th Amendment


• Are mandates into civil relationships appropriate by the City of Cedar Rapids?


• Is this good public policy to fix it later?

Yes, certain City Council members have supported the new municipal code, even though they have publicly stated, they don't have it all worked out yet. After all, it is a "work in progress" ~ like other public issues in Cedar Rapids.

peace

City Council in Cedar Rapids leaning to appoint interim City Manger

The transition from the Commission to the Council-Manager form of government has not been smooth for the City of Cedar Rapids. Especially, with the first two city councils and with the hiring of the first city manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. The City Manger resigned this spring. Now, news out of City Hall has a new development coming forward, within our community.

City Council May Hire Interim City Manager on Tuesday, May 25Th

Possible Interim City Manager - City of Cedar Rapids
The City Council will consider hiring an interim city manager during tomorrow night's meeting ...

Various News agencies are reporting ...

Cedar Rapids to hire Thoms as interim city manager - The Gazette
City set to hire Allan Thoms, who held key posts in state government, as interim city manager ...
Cedar Rapids to Hire Interim City Manager‎ - KCRG
Former Dubuque mayor to be hired as interim city manager in Cedar Rapids - Dubuque Telegraph Herald
AP Cedar Rapids is planning to hire former Dubuque mayor Alan Thoms as the city's interim city manager. Mayor Ron Corbett said Monday that Allan Thoms ...

The City of Marion hired a former mayor of Cedar Rapids to serve as City Manager in the past. Now, the former mayor of Dubuque is likely in line to serve the City of Cedar Rapids as interim City Manager.

peace

Local cameras - Big Brother is watching and ticketing in Cedar Rapids

This group was created to inform others of the location of the Cedar Rapids
Police Departments mobile speed cam. The vehicle is a red Jeep license plate
#216 BSG. If you come across this vehicle, please note the location and time you
saw the vehicle. ~ Facebook group

Cedar Rapids Mobile Speed Cam -Facebook

A number of the cameras were recently installed behind an exit sign on I-380
near Diagonal Drive S.W. Those cameras will monitor northbound traffic entering
the downtown portion of the interstate. The speed limit in that area is 55 miles
per hour. - Dave Franzman

Big Brother takes on I-380 with new speed cameras - The Gazette
Cedar Rapids Police will soon kick it up a notch when it comes to those automated cameras for traffic violations ...

Red Light Camera's Go Live - City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa ... - City of Cedar Rapids
Feb 11, 2010 ... CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -February 11, 2010 - The Cedar Rapids Police Department is giving the green light to the Red Light/Speed Camera project ...

In other news on the highway in the State of Iowa ...

State Trooper driving Governor Culver during his re-election ...‎ - Examiner.com
This weekend, while an Iowa State Trooper was driving Governor Culver and his son in an un-marked SUV, another driver nearly ran them off the road. ...

West Des Moines says charges in Governor's stop up to state patrol‎ - Radio Iowa

peace

Welcome to Cedar Rapids: Where some our local leadership since the '05 City Election want it both ways?

Folks, we want our cake and eat it too ...

Cedar Rapids is a vibrant urban hometown - a beacon for people and businesses invested in building a greater community for the next generation. - City of Cedar Rapids

The key word of concern is "urban" ...

By the way, the Federal Government classifies "urban" as

populations of 500,000 people or more.

A good resource to discuss some of our current and future challenges is the League of Cities and Counties in the State of Iowa. Prior to the change in the Form of Government vote in June 2005, The Gazette held a good forum with the League of Cities and Counties in 2005.

How many U.S. House members does our "urban" community have in Washington D.C. representing us today? How many does the City of Chicago have? Are we really "urban" folks?

But, go no further than our most recent "Conflict of Interest" story unfolding in the City of Cedar Rapids right now ...

"It’s a small town. It’s no different from all the other people that come before
the council that I know or have some relationship with.” - Council member Pat
Shey

Say, what? Could this be part of our branding problem that the City of Cedar Rapids has right now? Maybe, we need to rethink our "urban" thing we are trying to force down our public. Maybe we need to look at our hometown culture and determine what really exists today in our community?

"It's a small town." No, we would say Algona is a small town. While, Cedar Rapids isn't "urban" in the true sense. Suggesting Cedar Rapids is a "rural" community like Algona isn't the direction we should turn to either. But, the words of one of our council members says a lot of the disjointed messages we hear in our community often these days.

Actually, the banking model (Urban, Community or Rural) would seem most appropriate for Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids is in the middle.

We should stop branding Cedar Rapids as an "urban" community; when in fact, we are more like that "small town" of Algona, Anamosa or Marion, than clearly Kansas City, Charlotte, Memphis or whatever "urban" community one of City Council or City Consultants want to think up next?

Council’s $540,000 yard-cart fix raises appearances of conflict - The Gazette
It’s a small world. It didn’t seem so much so Thursday evening when only one of eight City Council members at a budget hearing ...

The Parlor City needs to get back on track. The "City of Five Seasons" went through some outstanding times with Urban Renewal in the 1960s and 1970s, but the Farm Crisis of the 1980s created a chic in the armour of our fine community.

We lost some of our industrial base in the 1980s, with losses in heavy manufacturing. We didn't lose our step immediately, but a variety of factors have slowly arisen over the past 15 years. Now, the Flood of 2008 and the recent economic and financial crisis have seen another round of losses in our manufacturing sector.

As a neighbor often says: Pay Taxes! Our economic engine in Cedar Rapids is hammered hard with the burden placed on industrial and commercial property taxes right now in the State of Iowa. There is current pressure to increase property taxes again for new infrastructure and the cost of government services ...

• Rising salaries of city and county employees


• A proposed new $45 million downtown library


• The new Cedar Rapids Community School District board building


• Expansion and recovery of Linn County infrastructure - post Flood


• Expansion and recovery of City of Cedar Rapids infrastructure - post Flood

When, we formed our new Council-Manager form of government in 2004-05, we identified the need for an Ethics component. Sadly, the original members of the City Council, stalled in the creation of Article VI of our City Charter.

Both the transition from the Commission form of government and now the Flood of 2008, has our City Government at times stuck in the mud. Could more mud be in the forecast? Let's hope not.

peace

P.S. - How much does our local government plan to get into commercial operations, such as yard-cart devise? The City of Cedar Rapids has expanded into housing and development over the past four years. Now, we hear this from the "Council’s $540,000 yard-cart fix raises appearances of conflict" story ...

"Gulick said he has an interest in Brokaw’s invention if it holds out the
potential of making the city some money, adding that the council has not cast a
final vote on the purchase." - The Gazette

It's February in the Cedar Rapids and Linn County and some concerns are in the air

How does the City of Cedar Rapids clip a $2.2 million dollar budget deficit?

Corbett looks for ways to cut city budget - The Gazette
Does your employer pay you in cash for unused vacation?The city of Cedar Rapids does for some of its employees, and Mayor Ron ...

The ability to access public information online concerns rural property owners in Linn County.

Some Linn County property owners worry too much public info poses security threat - The Gazette

peace

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett to meet with Flood Victims at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2010

Breaking News January 14, 2010- The Gazette

LIVE VIDEO: Cedar Rapids Mayor meets with flood victims - The Gazette
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett will hold a town hall meeting with flood victims from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight at the IBEW Hall located on Wiley Boulevard SW.

The Gazette will provide live video of the meeting at 6 p.m on January 14, 2010 by following link above.

peace

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.

peace

City of Cedar Rapids will swear in second Mayor, Ron Corbett, to serve under Community's Local Home Rule Charter

"It's been a long path for me to get here, but it has been an even longer path
for all those who were so dramatically affected by the flood. I plan to hit the
ground running just as soon as I get sworn in." - Ron Corbett

Corbett Campaign: Corbett set to be sworn in Saturday - IowaPolictics.com (press release)
Cedar Rapids- Mayor-elect, Ron Corbett is set to be sworn in along with other new city council members this Saturday, January 2nd, at the Veterans Memorial ...

The voters in June 2005 in Cedar Rapids adopted the Council-Manager form of government when they over whelming approved the City's Local Home Rule Charter with over 69% support. The transition to the new form of government has been extremely rocky.

The leadership style of the outgoing mayor contributed greatly to the rocky transition. Further, the hiring of a proponent to the Carver Governance Model may have contributed greatly, especially, with the City Council's inaction establishing the board's pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics and implementing policy to assist in the transition from the Commission form of government to the Council-Manager form of government. The Council dropped the ball on the Ethics section of the City Charter.

The first two and half years were extremely rocky and the expected building blocks were lacking in the transition. Then, the worse natural disaster in the State of Iowa's history occurs in June 2008, with the Flood of 2008.

It will be a challenge for the new Mayor, the third City Council and the community to move forward. Embracing our City Charter and the culture, governance and leadership styles that make the City of Cedar Rapids who we are will be extremely important.

Best wishes to our new Mayor and our other leaders in our community in the New Year. There will be plenty of work ahead for all in our community.

Further, in 2010, we will see Republicans and Democrats conduct a Caucus statewide in each county for each precinct on January 23Rd at 1 p.m. Our State will have a primary in June and a general election in November, as well.

We encourage everyone to get involved and engage in the political process of caucusing, voting and discussing the public policy that our elected leaders will engage in at the local, state and Federal levels.

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