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

"And if there are going to be limits, who . . . is going to enforce the rules for a system like that?"

"President Obama called it the "right question" -- then failed to answer it.
This was not surprising: The query is emerging as the ultimate challenge in reining in health-care costs that now consume $2.5 trillion per year, or 16 percent of the economy. How will tough decisions be made about what to spend money on? In a country where "rationing" is a dirty word, who will say no?" - The Washington Post

The Wednesday, July 8, 2009 edition of The Washington Post features an article titled, "In Retooled Health-Care System, Who Will Say No?" For more on this issue, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled "A Health Care Prescription for Iowa."

We need Health Care Reform, but we can certainly argue what that reform should be and consist of.

Health Care Reform Will Succeed This Time, Say Experts -Talk Radio News Service - Laura Woodhead
Speaking at a discussion on health care reform at the Campus Progress National Convention, the experts argued that the mood within the US makes this year ...

Video: Biden Announces White House Deal With Hospitals - The Associated Press
Health Care vs. Rationing - Washington Post
White House, hospitals reach deal on health care - The Associated Press

CQPolitics.com - Chiropractic Economics

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'Cap and Trade' will next hit the Senate after the July 4Th recess

The June 29, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, "Obama Wary of Tariff Provision." For more on this issue, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled "Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council Recommendations: Warmed Over and Wrong Again."

“Cap and Trade” Energy Legislation moved through the House, with the House narrowly approving the landmark legislation by a 219-212 vote last week. The National Write Your Congressman report "the measure would put the Department of Agriculture, rather than the EPA, in charge of special projects to reduce emissions in rural areas. It would not set new greenhouse gas emission standards for aircraft, but does include new standards for motor vehicles and off-road equipment. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. (H.R.2454)."

The Wall Street Journal points out that the "Trade Proposal in Climate Bill a Potential Problem as Action Moves to Senate."

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Hey Washington? Why not take the lead of others and expand Nuclear Energy in the USA!

The Wednesday, June 24, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, The New Nuclear Revolution. For more on energy sources, read the Public Interest Institutes's How shall we power our World? Coal ? Terrestrial Energy? Wind? Solar? Corn? Or Turkey Droppings?

We need to expand nuclear energy as a clean form of energy for our nation.

Department of Energy grants NCSU $5.9M to improve nuclear power -Bizjournals.com
North Carolina State University is getting $5.9 million from the US Department of Energy to conduct research on improving nuclear energy production and ...

Sen. Bennett calls for more nuke plants -United Press International
Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said that if President Obama supports Iran using nuclear energy he should support it in the United States. ...

Bennett calling for 100 new N-plants - Deseret News

"It's been my experience and my position ... that one of the driving forces
behind America's economic growth has been our access to cheap energy. If
we're going to survive in the kind of economy we want, we need to have access to
cheap energy." - Sen. Bob Bennett

Let's expand the Energy Policy discussions to include Nuclear Energy. We encourage you to write your representative on your views on the issues.

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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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Should the United States Auto Industry move towards E85 as the Energy Secretary suggests with food-crops?

The Tuesday, June 23, 2009 edition of The Des Moines Register features an article titled, Energy Secretary wants E85 capability in all cars. For more on ethanol, read Ethanol Utopianism and a look at the popularity of using food-crops for ethanol and the impact.

We have a vehicle that runs E85. We have never incorporated it, since availability of E85 is limited.

Here are some links that may be of interest in E85 Fuel Stations and E85 Vehicles.

E85 Fuel Stations
There are nearly 2200 Gas Stations in the United States where you can fill up on E85 ethanol fuel. To See All the Stations as well as Prices visit our ...e85vehicles.com/e85-stations.htm

E85 Vehicles
Information on vehicles designed to run on 85% ethanol fuel (E85). Also lists stations where ethanol fuel can be found. Chevrolet - Converting for E85 - Ford F150 - Dodge Caravan

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What direction is Health Care Reform heading and where should it head in the USA?

Today's post comes from the article in the Friday June 19, 2009 edition of the Washington Post. The paper features an article titled: "Senate's Health-Care Draft Calls for Most to Buy Insurance, Nixes Obama's 'Public Option.'" For more on the issue read the Public Interest Institutes's Brief: "A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa."

"A draft proposal in the Senate to overhaul the nation's
health-care system would require most people to buy health insurance, authorize
an expansion of Medicaid coverage and create consumer-owned cooperative plans instead of the government coverage that President Obama is seeking." - Washington Post

On Thursday June 18, 2009, the Washington Post article reported that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met with four Republicans, including Iowa's Sen. Charles Grassley, the ranking GOP member on the panel, along with two Democratic colleagues in an attempt to find bipartisan consensus. Baucus dubbed the group "the coalition of the willing."

The Economist has an interesting article dated April 23, 2008 titled "Health Care Around the World: Switzerland." Google's highlight of the Apr 23, 2008 article ...

"Still of all the countries with universal health care, Switzerland's is the
most market-oriented and merits discussion. Switzerland's health" ... - Google

Movement towards the President's government health care system has raised concerns with many that it could have an impact on innovation. Today, the United States ranks number one as The Economist article dated June 8, 2009 titled "Top Countries for Biotechnology Innovation" points out.

Overall the Top 5 Countries for Biotechnology Innovation (source: The Economist):

1. U.S.
2. Singapore
3. Denmark
4. Israel
5. Sweden
   

You can see the full list of rankings here. More discussion on these rankings can be found here.

The health care debate in Washington D.C. is extremely important. We need to keep health care costs at the consumer level. As was mentioned in one of the articles, "When patients are paying for health care costs directly, they are more sensitive to what those cost are."

We need to empower the public. Why are consumers restricted to purchase health insurance beyond their state? Congress prohibits basically interstate commerce when it comes to health care insurance. Wouldn't increasing competition have a positive results on controlling premium costs and care?

Like with housing and food subsidies, we do need to help those disadvantaged in our society. We do need to make sure the consumer has some responsibility and stake in the system. We need to encourage prudence in our society. When it comes to discussing health care and other public policy issues... remember, Character Counts!

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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.

peace

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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While surfing Twitter this morning...

From State Representative Tyler Olson, if you are interested in the Barack Obama transition?

http://twitter.com/cidsports

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Housing and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cedar Rapids...

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...

We see it on Wall Street,

We see it making it's way on Main street...

The Floods of 2008 will impact the community of Cedar Rapids for year's to come. The impact on Housing Stock in the old town is significant. We know that low income housing will get some relief.

Landlords are significantly impacted. They are small businesses, but most incentive based programs by the State of Iowa (aka Jumpstart) and the Federal government don't focus on that local landlord who owns a rental house or two, impacted by the flood. In many cases, we are talking about the loss of single family housing stock in our community.

The push for multi-family housing and high density housing to replace some of the single family housing impacted by the Flood is the talk of the town. In many respects, high density housing was the talk of the town before the Flood.

The Federal government is providing incentives for housing developers. But, what about your neighbor's rental property they have in Cedar Rapids? Who is looking out for them or providing help?

Finally, the Crowne Plaza Hotel appears to be headed for foreclosure. As The Gazette headline suggests: Foreclosure seen as hopeful sign for Crowne Plaza... but, will that be true? Clearly there are problems present, when foreclosure is suggested as a "hopeful sign" in improving a poor situation.

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Keep Things Simple - Good advice

In life, it is often good to keep things as simple as possible. That includes giant Microsoft, who clearly has a history of making things less than simple.

Government certainly can learn from that, as can corporate America.

KISS - you hopefully know the rest of the story!

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One, a Vice President is an Advisor to the President

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin appears to be a very strong candidate as an advisor to Presidential Candidate John McCain. On the surface, she appears to be a very interesting pick for the Republican Vice President position. It's going to be an interesting Presidential Race in 2008.

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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.

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Two Months Ago: Flood of 2008

Two months have now past from The Flood of 2008 that hit the City of Cedar Rapids. June 12th will have a new meaning on top of its old ones for me in the future.

Many of us in our community were lucky. Our houses, our businesses were not directly impacted. But, the impact has certainly reached everyone in one way or another.

The Public Policy has been slow moving.

The Downtown is working to recover. Permits are being pulled. But, our community just isn't quite the same as it was at the beginning of the year or prior to the flood.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in our community. It will be a long road to recovery, but the opportunity to make our community stronger and better is certainly on the horizon.

We have lost a lot of property and memories. Thankfully, property was lost and not people. We were all very lucky for that.

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China fakes portions of opening cermonies

We welcome China into the world stage, but something isn't quite right...

• First, the sixteen year old gymnasts for China appear to be twelve, rather than the required age of 16 ...
• Now, we learn that some of the opening ceremonies were faked for various reasons ...

A portion of the fireworks were computer enhanced for the opening ceremonies, including a fake shake to simulate a helicopter filming the event. Then, a young lady didn't actually sing and her voice wasn't even hers. Apparently, the real singer didn't have the beauty that the China officials required, so they taped the music and had some one else lip sync for the opening ceremonies.

It will be interesting to see how public policy is shaped in the future with the role China plays in our world community.

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Is the Carver Goverance Model Good for the City of Cedar Rapids?

Lets look back at the City of Cedar Rapids for a moment. Back in 2004-05, the City of Cedar Rapids formed a Local Home Rule Charter Commission to draft an alternative to Cedar Rapids' commission form of government, which was adopted back in 1908.

(writer's note: ironically, we didn't know about the impact of Floods of 2008, back in '04-'05.)

In June 2005, fueled by the community's public discussion on the efficiencies of the commission form of government, the voters of Cedar Rapids adopted the Local Home Rule Charter, adopting the council-manager form of government for the City of Cedar Rapids. Or, is it the City Manager form of government? The voters passed the Home Rule Charter with 69% support (pdf link).

In the summer of 2006, the young City Council, under the council-manager form, hired the first official city manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. Our current city manger, Jim Prosser, prefers the Carver Governance model. Which draws me to ask two very important questions?

1. Is the Carver Governance model right for a community transitioning from one form of government (Commission) to a new form of government (Council-Manger)?


2. Due to the tragic flooding of 2008, is the Carver Governance model right for Cedar Rapids now?

What is the Carver Governance model and is it right for the City of Cedar Rapids? Also known, as the Policy Governance® Model created by Dr. John Carver. Training is available in September and October by attending training seminars conducted by Miriam Carver; introduced and moderated by John Carver.

According the Carver's website, the governance model "is the world's most complete theoretical foundation for the board's governance role in business, nonprofit (NGO), and government organizations." It's an interesting subject and one that our City Council, stakeholders and voters need to understand and discuss.

My biggest concern is whether Cedar Rapids' culture makes the Carver model a good fit. Further, from the web site, "Policy Governance boards (IE: our city leaders) demand accomplishment of purpose, and only limit the staff's available means to those which do not violate the board's pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics." Under such a young form of government, have the board's pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics been defined by our local leaders?

What do others say about Carver: (Links to simple google searchs):

• A community's concerns over Saskatchewan Healthcare implementation of the Carver model. Clearly, Mario deSantis has a dark view of how the Carver model by the public health care system in Canada.
• Ontario Literacy Coalitions take on the Carver model.
• "Most boards don't work," which is one of the Carver baselines. Well, the new form of government can't really answer that question, since they are brand new? So, is Carver right for a new government, when it has never had an opportunity to show whether it works or not? A Paradigm Shift for Charter School Boards: The Carver Model of Policy Governance.
• Durango School Talk organization highlight Policy Governance as a current issue.
• More comments from Mario deSantis, a board member who commented on his first impression of the Carver model.
• From the Institute on Governance; we changed forms of government, not seeking "advice on improving in governance"... the voters of Cedar Rapids were seeking a more efficiency in local government.
• I keep seeing the reasons why people adopt the Carver model, but can you adopt Carver fully before the pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics are established? Another link to the Institute on Governance points to the "importance you believe governance is important, you may wish to consider where it should sit in the list of priorities facing your organization. Is this model good for implementing a new form of government?
• One church has found the Carver model very popular? This blog speaks to the Unitarian Universalist denomination's use of the Caver model.
• The Alban Institute talked about the Carver model as a secular practice.
• What impact will globalization and urban change have on our public policy discussions in Cedar Rapids... will we ask the critical questions and set the key priorities?

It's interesting to learn about various topics or subjects. The Carver ore Policy Governance model is one that all in the City of Cedar Rapids should add to their list. Our City Manager is a proponent. It is very popular in Canada, like with the CWWA, and with many in the non-profit organizations. There are cities and counties that have adopted or discussed the Carver model. Like Gresham, Oregon; Dallas suburb, City of Frisco; and Union County, North Carolina

What is the official position for the City of Cedar Rapids? Have we clearly adopted Carver? Is the Carver Governance model good for Cedar Rapids at this time?

The Flood of 2008 was unbelievable, very surreal, and has impacted everyone in our community. The Carver Governance model will impact our community as we work to continue our lives and rebuild from this tragic event in '08. We need to find a way to balance our "crisis" mode with everything that must continue on, despite the tragic events of 2008.

peace

August, 1, 1987: Our Wedding Anniversary

I thought about starting a new blog recently. I thought our 21st wedding anniversary would be a good date to begin. Of course, I didn't have time on Friday, so here it begins. A new blog dedicated to my views and observations on public policy.

I began writing a sports blog in 2007, so after reflecting on my concerns about politics in the Cedar Rapids area, I thought a blog dedicated to public policy is more fitting, than to combine my love for sports and interest in public policy discussion into one blog: http://cidsports.blogspot.com/.

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