en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/625896 Comments by SKayBT http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2009/10/07/dad-uncle-admit-chaining-davenport-teen-to-car-bumper#IDComment37731640 Wow -- you can tell from a photo that they're poor and not overly educated?? Wed, 7 Oct 2009 21:24:12 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2009/10/07/dad-uncle-admit-chaining-davenport-teen-to-car-bumper#IDComment37731640 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/police-seek-men-who-beat-70-year-old-woman-stole-her-car#IDComment36840066 When the helicopter program was in place, I believe it was grounded between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. for routine maintenance and cost savings (not having a pilot waiting for a call)... Fri, 2 Oct 2009 13:42:44 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/police-seek-men-who-beat-70-year-old-woman-stole-her-car#IDComment36840066 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/police-seek-men-who-beat-70-year-old-woman-stole-her-car#IDComment36839959 I don't believe Christy's ONLY duties are spokeswoman for the CRPD. I know that Dave Koch was the fire department's PIO, but he had other duties (Public Education among them). It's not fair to assume that just because the only time you see Christy's name is as the spokeswoman, this is all she does for CRPD and the citizens of CR. Fri, 2 Oct 2009 13:41:09 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/police-seek-men-who-beat-70-year-old-woman-stole-her-car#IDComment36839959 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/61128992.html#IDComment36760067 Congratulations, Chief Havlik! Thanks for everything you've done for the citizens of Cedar Rapids. You will be missed! Thu, 1 Oct 2009 20:28:40 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/61128992.html#IDComment36760067 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/2009/09/24/fire-chief-havlik-announces-retirement-effective-march-1-his-11-year-tenure-replaced-seven-years-of-department-turmoil#IDComment36759460 Congratulations, Chief Havlik! Thanks for your many years of service to the citizens of Cedar Rapids! You will be missed! Thu, 1 Oct 2009 20:21:19 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/2009/09/24/fire-chief-havlik-announces-retirement-effective-march-1-his-11-year-tenure-replaced-seven-years-of-department-turmoil#IDComment36759460 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/palo-man-runs-for-city-council-after-failed-culvert-floods-home#IDComment36749724 We have the same type of issue in the small town where I live. However, we've been told that there is no "law" regarding this -- that we can do whatever we need to do to drain water from our property and the guy downstream has to deal with it and has no recourse. We also have an issue where the top soil from the farm field across the street has completely filled the ditch and is now washing through and blocking the culverts. The ditch was cleared last fall and it was full of topsoil by late spring. Contacted the county about the possibility of farm chemicals in the topsoil contaminating the water downstream and was told it wasn't an issue and no one would look into it. The solution, since it seems no one is at fault or responsible, is to make sure your property doesn't retain water -- build berms, widen waterways, etc. We have a berm but increased it's height by 18 inches because we don't want the water backing up into our yard and basement. Thu, 1 Oct 2009 18:37:30 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/palo-man-runs-for-city-council-after-failed-culvert-floods-home#IDComment36749724 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2009/09/30/insurance-controls-product-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-make#IDComment36606471 True, WE are paying the bill for the CURRENT recipients of Medicare, but THEY paid the bill for the previous generation. And, in general, the current recipients are healthier than we who are paying the bill are (they had more physical jobs, ate better -- homecooked meals instead of fast food -- etc.) So, who are WE to deny Medicare to the seniors who paid for it while they were working? Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:51:54 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2009/09/30/insurance-controls-product-it-doesn%e2%80%99t-make#IDComment36606471 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/30/some-265-untouched-flooded-homes-targeted-for-action#IDComment36606136 Also, are the volunteers being provided PPE -- masks (not paper ones!!), etc.? Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:47:29 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/30/some-265-untouched-flooded-homes-targeted-for-action#IDComment36606136 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/09/28/man-leads-police-on-car-chase-through-cedar-rapids#IDComment36366386 Sometimes, the decision to pursue/not pursue isn't an officer decision, it's a watch commander decision (that's the policy where my son is a police officer). Bottom line, it was not only a good decision but apparently the right decision -- especially with as many children as there are in the area. GOOD JOB to all involved. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:42:58 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/09/28/man-leads-police-on-car-chase-through-cedar-rapids#IDComment36366386 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/24/cleaning-day-for-tree-of-five-seasons#IDComment35808176 Well, you know, it's CRITICAL that the tree be restored after the flood, don't worry about houses, buildings, etc., that tree IS Cedar Rapids <sarcasm> Is that a foaming at the mouth rant?? Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:54:07 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/24/cleaning-day-for-tree-of-five-seasons#IDComment35808176 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/education/2009/09/22/many-factors-play-into-band-director%e2%80%99s-music-choices#IDComment35617344 Agreed!! These students are tremendous ambassadors for their schools and the area and their talent is always amazing. You won't be disappointed with the "show"! And remember to support ALL the students at a sports event, not just the ones on the field. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:15:10 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/education/2009/09/22/many-factors-play-into-band-director%e2%80%99s-music-choices#IDComment35617344 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/09/21/itinerary-of-fema-directors-visit-to-cedar-rapids-released#IDComment35337634 Let me understand the time schedule... they're going to TOUR Time Check at 10:30 and then do a press conference at 10:45 at the old Central Fire (corner of 3rd St and D Ave)? How much of a tour can they do in 15 minutes and still have travel time? Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:28:28 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/09/21/itinerary-of-fema-directors-visit-to-cedar-rapids-released#IDComment35337634 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/10/two-arrested-in-narcotics-search-at-bever-avenue-apartments#IDComment33978386 You're surely not suggesting that they build a 10 foot high solid concrete wall around the area and then fill it with water, are you <smile!!>?? Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:11:11 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/10/two-arrested-in-narcotics-search-at-bever-avenue-apartments#IDComment33978386 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/editorial/2009/09/07/homers-whats-going-right-3#IDComment33643179 Used car lots in downtown are a HOMER?!?! How about a GOMER? Or is the purpose of "rebuilding downtown" just adding more used car lots? Tue, 8 Sep 2009 14:51:16 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/editorial/2009/09/07/homers-whats-going-right-3#IDComment33643179 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2009/09/08/reruns-zoeys-pizza-worth-the-wait#IDComment33643033 Zoey's a few steps below Cranky Hanks? Tried them on Williams Blvd when they were there -- overcooked, burned, cold, cardboard pizza. Once was enough... Tue, 8 Sep 2009 14:48:50 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2009/09/08/reruns-zoeys-pizza-worth-the-wait#IDComment33643033 http://gazetteonline.com/uncategorized/2009/09/02/council-to-discuss-future-of-library-city-hall-tonight#IDComment32907517 Or, make the first level conference/meeting rooms -- something that wouldn't be a huge loss if it flooded again. Carpet and furniture can be removed and replaced easily enough. Wed, 2 Sep 2009 16:20:49 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/uncategorized/2009/09/02/council-to-discuss-future-of-library-city-hall-tonight#IDComment32907517 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2009/08/25/adding-it-up-federal-officials-tour-flood-damaged-cedar-rapids-buildings#IDComment32036762 I never understood the difference between the dollar damages to the Police Department and Central Fire. PD had water in the basement, it never got to the first floor and it's like $7 million in damages. Central Fire is completely GONE, only the skeleton of the building remains, and it was like about $3 million. How do you figure that?! Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:40:47 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2009/08/25/adding-it-up-federal-officials-tour-flood-damaged-cedar-rapids-buildings#IDComment32036762 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/08/20/iowa-avenue-closed-eastbound-in-iowa-city#IDComment31389790 I would guess that when the railroad bridge was built waaayyy back when, there wasn't any provision for "tall" vehicles to pas.s under it. Traffic flow at that time might have been planned well enough that there was no reason for a truck to drive under the bridge; changes to traffic patterns and just an increase in traffic has folks looking for a less-congested route to/from their destination, so driving a truck under a bridge that you've driven your car under multiple times probably isn't a stretch. However, chains dragging on the roof of the vehicle should have been a huge clue... Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:24:15 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/08/20/iowa-avenue-closed-eastbound-in-iowa-city#IDComment31389790 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2009/08/18/library-city-hall-main-topics-at-cedar-rapids-open-house#IDComment31226531 How interesting that the city/library couldn't be in the "old" library building, which is now the art museum and that monstrosity with the $5 concrete staircase HAD to be built. Now, they want to move back to the "neighborhood," in an existing building with virtually no parking (True North). The area wasn't good enough for the library and a new one had to built, but now the area is ideal. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:56:16 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2009/08/18/library-city-hall-main-topics-at-cedar-rapids-open-house#IDComment31226531 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2009/08/18/rebuild-cedar-rapids-city-hall-or-build-new-one-long-term-costs-about-equal#IDComment31127753 Aren't these the very same people who continually shout REBUILD DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS!!! They want everyone else to rebuild downtown, but aren't willing to return themselves... Not sure where the 500 office workers figure comes from since there are only about 1500 non union workers on the city payroll... don't think 1/3 of them worked in the old city hall. Yeah, we can see what the rebuild is doing -- there are two "new" used car lots within 6 blocks of downtown (the old Dairy Queen location and the old Asian Food and Gift shop). The old church next to Maid-Rite is gone -- will that be a car lot soon? How about the 2 gas stations (1st Ave and 1st St; 1st Ave and 6th St) that still aren't functioning -- used car lots? The house at 1st Ave and 2nd St that used to be an attorney's office is torn down -- used car lot? So, is the purpose of rebuilding downtown to turn it into a used car lot?? Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:13:49 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2009/08/18/rebuild-cedar-rapids-city-hall-or-build-new-one-long-term-costs-about-equal#IDComment31127753