en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/651082 Comments by SKayBT http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Former-Cedar-Rapids-Fire-Chief-Explains-Abrupt-Retirement-116635678.html#IDComment129841098 Pomeranz says the city is giving the fire department a new facility? Is he referring to REPLACING Central??? Gave them money for equipment - what, one new engine at +500K? To replace an engine that's probably 10 years old? T-shirts instead of "professional" uniforms? Makes sense to have something that is easily and quickly laundered after a fire; how would you like to be an EMS patient cared for by a firefighter who caught a fire a couple of hours before and had to wear the "professional" (expensive) uniform his whole shift? Firefight's in CR DO have a dress uniform, used for official ceremonies. Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:20:34 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Former-Cedar-Rapids-Fire-Chief-Explains-Abrupt-Retirement-116635678.html#IDComment129841098 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/09/09/watch-home-demolition-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment97891668 I think the water is just to keep the dust down a bit, so there isn't a lot of "stuff" out in the air. I'm guessing some of these homes have a pretty bad mold problem, so watering them down would help keep the mold spores out of the air. Thu, 9 Sep 2010 21:46:32 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/09/09/watch-home-demolition-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment97891668 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/09/09/watch-home-demolition-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment97816660 Every time I see or hear of one of these, I'm saddened again by the losses suffered by the citizens of Cedar Rapids over 2 years ago. Thu, 9 Sep 2010 15:02:12 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/09/09/watch-home-demolition-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment97816660 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/07/15/american-flag-returning-to-waterloo-golf-course-island#IDComment86850750 Fixed flags can still be at "half staff" simply by attaching 2 black ribbons, 1-3 inches wide and the length of the hoist (smaller end of the flag). This is not a reason for taking down the flag, only an excuse. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:01:07 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/07/15/american-flag-returning-to-waterloo-golf-course-island#IDComment86850750 http://gazetteonline.com/breaking-news/2010/06/02/man-caught-masturbating-in-walmart-bathroom-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment78259860 PEAK -- the highest level or degree attainable PEEK -- 1. To glance quickly. 2. To look or peer furtively, as from a place of concealment. 3. To be only partially visible, as if peering or emerging from hiding So was he looking at the boy or doing something else??? Wed, 2 Jun 2010 20:50:22 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/breaking-news/2010/06/02/man-caught-masturbating-in-walmart-bathroom-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment78259860 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/26/reward-offered-in-case-of-cat-with-nail-in-head#IDComment77205887 Not in all cases, but there are documented cases where serial killers started with small animals. Do we really want to take the chance that this is one of those cases where the person WON'T move on to larger animals? Wed, 26 May 2010 15:51:37 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/26/reward-offered-in-case-of-cat-with-nail-in-head#IDComment77205887 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/26/reward-offered-in-case-of-cat-with-nail-in-head#IDComment77195329 I know some will say, what, a reward for a CAT?!??! But the person who did this needs to be found so s/he can get help before s/he moves on to bigger animals -- like humans... Wed, 26 May 2010 14:37:40 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/26/reward-offered-in-case-of-cat-with-nail-in-head#IDComment77195329 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/20/fundraiser-set-saturday-for-cedar-rapids-k-9-unit#IDComment76383167 Hopefully this will be well attended! Next, a fundraiser for the Fire Department's acceleration detection dog, Ember?? In most cases, there is no money in the budget to provide for these service animals, so fund raisers are needed to help offset the feeding and vet care they require. Thu, 20 May 2010 15:26:15 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/20/fundraiser-set-saturday-for-cedar-rapids-k-9-unit#IDComment76383167 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/18/kwikshop-reviews-policies-following-kidnapping#IDComment76061511 And, as a possible deterrent, police officers USED to get free coffee while they were on duty, especially the overnight shift. The convenience stores felt that offering a cup of coffee would deter anyone from robbing the store -- if a police car is parked outside the store, you wouldn't think anyone would try to rob it. However, Mr. Prosser fixed that -- even if the state of Iowa says city/state employees can accept "gifts" valued up to $2.95, Prosser mandated that NO city employee was allowed to take a "gift," regardless of it's value. Tue, 18 May 2010 20:40:36 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/18/kwikshop-reviews-policies-following-kidnapping#IDComment76061511 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/15/truck-rear-ends-slow-moving-back-hoe-on-highway-30#IDComment75539686 Just how slow moving was the backhoe? If it was going 45 MPH, it was "legal" and the 22 year-old simply wasn't paying attention (or perhaps driving too fast, or talking on the phone, or texting someone?)... On a 70 MPH road, anything less than 70 MPH is considered slow moving, isn't it? So a backhoe at 55 MPH would still be slow moving, but not like a bicycle or lawn mower. And, since the photo doesn't include a shot of the backhoe, assumptions can't be made about the speed of the backhoe... Sat, 15 May 2010 11:53:52 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/15/truck-rear-ends-slow-moving-back-hoe-on-highway-30#IDComment75539686 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/05/11/one-question-for-sioux-city-why#IDComment75300136 OK, a little cheesy, but at least they looked like they were having fun and promoting their city... Thu, 13 May 2010 18:08:32 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/05/11/one-question-for-sioux-city-why#IDComment75300136 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/02/republican-extremists-dangerous-to-country#IDComment72374008 "The present Republican Party is a disgrace ..." Oh, really? Biden tosses the f-word in front of an open mike, and what happens? The Dems sell t-shirts to raise money! A Republican lawmaker shouts "You lie" during BO's healthcare fiasco and what happens? He's censured on the floor! A Democratic lawmaker expresses concern about overloading an island in fear it will capsize... Who's a disgrace? Tue, 4 May 2010 12:19:34 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/02/republican-extremists-dangerous-to-country#IDComment72374008 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/04/12/new-cedar-rapids-fire-chief-may-be-named-tuesday-night#IDComment67419513 2 external candidates and 1 internal candidate.... hmmm... I'd be a tad concerned about the CEO of the consulting firm; Santa Fe Springs is less than 20,000 population (2000 census); Brian is a Cedar Rapids firefighter and heads (or used to head) one of the Urban Search and Rescue team for Iowa; he also has written successful grant applications in addition to his outstanding performance during the flood of 2008 (not saying the other 2 internal candidates didn't perform well during the flood, but they didn't make the cut). I'm hoping for Brian to make the cut. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:37:51 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/04/12/new-cedar-rapids-fire-chief-may-be-named-tuesday-night#IDComment67419513 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/04/01/longest-serving-cedar-rapids-firefighter-retires-after-41-years#IDComment65378520 Congratulations, Chief Stu!! The department won't be the same without you! Have a great retirement! Fri, 2 Apr 2010 00:56:00 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/04/01/longest-serving-cedar-rapids-firefighter-retires-after-41-years#IDComment65378520 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/08/what%e2%80%99s-on-your-mind-4#IDComment61984480 It's always harder to hear the sirens in the winter when you have the windows up and the heater going (maybe even the radio). Making them louder would possibly make them overly-load when the weather is warmer. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:57:43 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/08/what%e2%80%99s-on-your-mind-4#IDComment61984480 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/08/what%e2%80%99s-on-your-mind-4#IDComment61984179 Why isn't there a fire department employee on the committee to choose a new location for Central Fire/Station1? Are these going to be the same caliber of people who asked if it was necessary to carry water on the fire trucks? Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:54:59 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/08/what%e2%80%99s-on-your-mind-4#IDComment61984179 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/03/12/strays-still-a-concern-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment61915373 THANK YOU to the vets and clinics who are helping with the stray/feral issue. This is a great program! We adopted a kitten from the CR Animal Shelter in January last year (2009). We figure his momma was a flood cat as he was found in the Time Check area. Mid-January, very cold temps, he was about 3 months old and weighed only 3 pounds -- he was fortunate to have survived, been picked up by AC and then adopted. He is the sweetest guy, very affectionate. And, yes, he's neutered -- we did that as soon as he was old enough and weighed enough. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:38:12 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/03/12/strays-still-a-concern-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment61915373 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/03/03/read-read-read#IDComment59647673 Tikki Tikki Tembo was one of my son's favorite books (he's now 35)... Great list -- I'm having all my children link to this story so they will have the list for my grandchildren. Wed, 3 Mar 2010 23:22:26 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/03/03/read-read-read#IDComment59647673 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/02/01/city-still-hopes-for-fire-station-at-new-site-fema-not-convinced-of-flooding-possibility#IDComment54846295 I worked at Central for 8 years and the parking lot never flooded until 2008. Rebuilding is a good option, but probably pricier than starting from scratch. All cabling in the building ran in conduit under the building -- that conduit has had flood water sitting in it for the last 18+ months. The building itself is concrete block, and, while not impossible, the cost to disinfect the existing concrete block would be a huge expense .____Moving Central from downtown would impact response times, as the citizens of Cedar Rapids are expecting under 6 minute response times wherever they live/work (average response time when I worked at Central was between 4 and 5 minutes anywhere in the city). Believe it or not, the firefighters at the Cedar Rapids Fire Department are most concerned about serving the citizens of Cedar Rapids, not getting a new station or new recliners or anything else. The request for a new station can be justified from a service standpoint.____All in all, the 140+ men and women who serve Cedar Rapids as firefighters and paramedics do an OUTSTANDING job, as do the leaders of the department. Job well done to Fire Chief Steve Havlik, congratulations on your retirement next month! Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:58:52 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/02/01/city-still-hopes-for-fire-station-at-new-site-fema-not-convinced-of-flooding-possibility#IDComment54846295 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/12/12/cedar-rapids-dropping-plans-to-charge-accident-fee#IDComment47028958 Williamsburg is the one of the departments that charge (or perhaps used to charge, I don't know for sure one way or another) for responses on Interstate 80, primarily car fires. Whether or not this has been challenged in court as not receiving equal "protection" under the law is unknown. I'm not sure that fire services could be considered protection, like police services... Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:53:54 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/12/12/cedar-rapids-dropping-plans-to-charge-accident-fee#IDComment47028958