January 1-4, 2009: Recent News around the State of Iowa and CID

We thought we would pass on the suggested reading from zpeterson today:

Government at the Brink: The Root Causes of Government Waste and Mismanagement (Paperback) by The Fred Thompson Report (Author)

The message we noticed today on Fred Thompson's book.

zpetersen #TCOT Everyone should read "Government At The Brink" By Sen Fred Thompson: Vol1: http://tinyurl.com/965eyd & Vol2: http://tinyurl.com/766x4p

January 1 to 4, 2009: Week in review for Cedar Rapids and the State of Iowa:

A lot of flood recovery remains to be done in Cedar Rapids http://tinyurl.com/9gpu88
2008: Year of the River in the City of Cedar Rapids

Calendar year 2008 a snowy, with frequent tornadoes http://tinyurl.com/7gbb4v
We saw a pretty wet year in Iowa in 2008, indeed.

Top ISU administrators to take unpaid furloughs http://tinyurl.com/79uq8w
Like many college and universities around the heartland, the economic and financial crisis is changing how budgets and staff decisions are made.

Harry Potter prints to help in Cedar Rapids flood recovery http://tinyurl.com/73q9v4
This is linked as a tribute to my family, who have an avid interest in the movies and books.

Cedar Rapids mayor hopes for federal help in flood recovery plan http://tinyurl.com/9w5tbq
Mayor Kay Halloran in Cedar Rapids says ...

"We don't have time to wait. We have plenty of damage already done which
needs to be repaired and replaced, so as long as the federal government is
available and ready and willing to invest in these kinds of projects, we
will
have projects for them."

Climate Change Advisory Council talks about final report http://tinyurl.com/8flu33
The State of Iowa seeks solutions to climate change issue.

Six men seek role of Iowa GOP chairman http://tinyurl.com/9rqoz8
Paul Pate of Cedar Rapids and Christopher Reed of Marion among six men seeking position.

Unions React to Sealed-Air Cryovac's Plans to Close: CEDAR RAPIDS – Sealed Air Cryovac's decision to close the C.. http://tinyurl.com/7g2je6...
Cedar Rapids to lose employer Sealed Air Cryovac and locally 250 jobs

Hawkeyes win Outback Bowl : (Tampa) -- Iowa blew out South Carolina 31-10 to win the Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes .. http://tinyurl.com/98eldf
Iowa is called the Hawkeye State, so a little good news is in order!

Gas Tax May Rise to Pay Road Bills : CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - The state is facing a $267 million annual shortfa.. http://tinyurl.com/8vwede
State of Iowa may seak to raise gasoline tax to pay for road improvements.

2008 Tornadoes Deadliest Since 1968: DES MOINES (AP) - Last year in Iowa, tornadoes claimed the lives of a dozen.. http://tinyurl.com/7f8ht4
We are reminded that we make up the northern route of Tornado Alley.

Iowa Council Releases Plan to Cut Greenhouse Gases: DES MOINES (AP) - The Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council h.. http://tinyurl.com/a3853j
The 23-member Governor Chet Culver appointed council presented the report during a news conference on Friday.

Linn County Elected Officials Sworn in to Office: CEDAR RAPIDS - On Friday, the Linn County Board of Supervisors.. http://tinyurl.com/85shg6
Supervisor Brent Oleson, District 4 becomes the only Republican office holder for Linn County.

peace

The final Open House for community input on Flood Control has been completed?

The proposed map is clearer than what is shown here, but for many it may appear more like the example to the left. The clearer details were on display yesterday during the Open House on the River Corridor Redevelopment Plan held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Some residents were surprised to see that the 10th street to 20th street portion of First Avenue East highlighted on the presentation boards.

What will zoning look like post-flood in the impacted areas of Cedar Rapids?

How much government assisted housing is headed for Cedar Rapids post flood? How much housing is really needed?

The estimated cost for flood mitigation for the City of Cedar Rapids is in the $1 Billion range. The likelihood is the flood mitigation process will take 10 to 12 years to fully implement.

We will soon learn what life on the Wet side vs. Dry side will mean.

The City of Cedar Rapids will have to battle with public policy for the impacted portions of Cedar Rapids vs. the unaffected portions of Cedar Rapids.

We can't stop building our local economy. At the same time, we can't delay the flood recovery.

We will likely see new developments competing with one another. A portion of the developments will pit government subsidized vs. the private sector.

We have to balance all the various factors appropriately.

One hates to say it, but we may have a much better Community, if we can get all the parts working together. Cities that have recovered from major disasters will tell you that.

Now, can we clearly get the sum of all our parts moving in the same direction? God speed everyone!

peace

Alaska's Governor Sarah Palin for GOP's John McCain's Running Mate

Republican Presidential candidate John McCain selects Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Welcome to the national stage Mrs. Palin.

We look forward to learning more about you and how a McCain-Palin ticket can help move the United States of America forward in public policy globally.

From one forty-four year old to another, it will be interesting to discuss various issues, including the following:

• Energy Policy


• Environmental Policy


• Government Reform


• States Rights


• The Economy

I always prefer a Governor for the office of the president, so when names were thrown out as candidates for both president and vice president this year. Mrs. Palin's got my attention as a candidate for vice president. We certainly have had Vice Presidents before in my lifetime with less of a resume.

A women, a reformer in her state, a mother of a son who serves her nation in our armed forces and a person with executive experience as a Governor; it will be interesting to learn more about John McCain's choice as his running mate.

peace