en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/620247 Comments by Bob Loblaw http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cedar-Rapids-Council-Quietly-Passes-New-Budget-Property-Taxes-Going-up-for-Homeowners-117630013.html#IDComment133667821 I hear ya Tori - I took a 12% pay cut in order to keep a job. However, I'm very thankful to have that job and I'm not complaining. I understand that the union raises were already negotiated so they can't go back on them, but why on earth are they giving non-union employees raises? Wed, 9 Mar 2011 19:53:30 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cedar-Rapids-Council-Quietly-Passes-New-Budget-Property-Taxes-Going-up-for-Homeowners-117630013.html#IDComment133667821 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cardella-Drops-Iowa-Growth-Plans-Cites-Soaring-Unemployment-Taxes-111409854.html#IDComment114369554 I kind of resent that. I show up for work every day I'm scheduled to work, I haven't used a sick day in about 18 months and I would never just not show up because I didn't feel like it. I don't work for this particular company, but i can't imagine that "everyone" doesn't go to work if they don't feel like it. Tue, 7 Dec 2010 23:04:00 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cardella-Drops-Iowa-Growth-Plans-Cites-Soaring-Unemployment-Taxes-111409854.html#IDComment114369554 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Johnson-County-Property-Taxes-Highest-In-Iowa-104001534.html#IDComment101552976 I don't suppose that this has anything to do with the fact that those 3 counties are also ones with a large percentage of government-owned property in them, would it? If a large chunk of your city's property isn't able to be taxed (like state government buildings or university buildings), then you have to make that up from somewhere else. Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:13:16 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Johnson-County-Property-Taxes-Highest-In-Iowa-104001534.html#IDComment101552976 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Council-Approves-Pet-Licensing-Two-More-Votes-Yet-to-Come-103976554.html#IDComment101523901 So, I adopted my cat from CR Animal Shelter, but I don't live in CR. The city I live in only charges $3/year for a pet license. So, do I have to pay $3 to my city and another $10 to CR since it was technically a CR resident? Or do I just have to pay the $3? I don't mind paying my fair share, because that current animal shelter is a pit and needs repairs, but still... Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:14:30 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Council-Approves-Pet-Licensing-Two-More-Votes-Yet-to-Come-103976554.html#IDComment101523901 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Supplies-Dangerously-Low-At-Area-Food-Pantries-103531689.html#IDComment100531073 My apologies to anyone I offended. I certainly didn't mean to imply that the people that receive help from me are any less of a person than I am. In fact, many of them are probably much better people than I am. Also, I donate anonymously, so I don't actually know the people my donations are helping. If you don't know someone, you really can't talk crap about them. Again, I apologize that my previous comment was wrong and insulting (and probably full of typos). I really didn't mean to talk crap about the people I was helping. I only meant to indicate that I am trying to help as much as I can, though I probably can - and should - do more. Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:09:28 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Supplies-Dangerously-Low-At-Area-Food-Pantries-103531689.html#IDComment100531073 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Supplies-Dangerously-Low-At-Area-Food-Pantries-103531689.html#IDComment100421913 After I pay my 35% in taxes, 15% to retirement, 10% to savings and 10% to charity, I really don't have any more left after I pay my regular bills. I apologize that I'm only able to give 10% of my income, but please understand that every person's situation is different and some of us really can't spare more. Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:00:28 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Supplies-Dangerously-Low-At-Area-Food-Pantries-103531689.html#IDComment100421913 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/CR-moves-to-require-dog-cat-licensing-99047494.html#IDComment88110839 Probably - you do in North Liberty & Iowa City. The only difference in fees there is whether or not the cat is fixed. Of course it's pretty cheap there - $10 will license both my cats for the year. Since it's so expensive here maybe they'd make an exception. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:39:47 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/CR-moves-to-require-dog-cat-licensing-99047494.html#IDComment88110839 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Farm-owners-object-to-losing-land-for-rest-stops-98929359.html#IDComment87922964 Maybe they don't need a full blown rest area, but there should at least be a porta-potty or a pit toilet somewhere along the road. Sometimes you just have to go to the bathroom, and you don't need to buy a meal or fill your tank with gas. Can't really just go to a gas station or a restaurant, use the bathroom and then leave. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:48:43 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Farm-owners-object-to-losing-land-for-rest-stops-98929359.html#IDComment87922964 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/featured-local-news/2010/05/20/big-brother-takes-on-i-380-with-new-speed-cameras#IDComment76834022 Here's what my very simple mind can't comprehend... I tried going the speed limit last week one day - set the cruise control at 60mph when I hit the city limits on 380, lowered it to 55 near downtown and reset to 60mph when it went back up north of town. I was in the right lane, and I was passed as if I were standing still. I had traffic backed up behind me, the person right behind me was riding my bumper and periodically flashing their brights in my mirror. I did pull over, just in case this was a new method of police trying to pull you over, but no - they kept right on going. Now, really, who is the traffic hazard likely to cause an accident - me going 55mph and slowing down the right lane and preventing people from getting where they need to get to or the other traffic freely moving at whatever speed they were moving at? Obviously, I was the traffic hazard. Since the goal clearly isn't to control accidents why don't they just call it a revenue generation tool since that is what it really is? Sun, 23 May 2010 22:27:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/featured-local-news/2010/05/20/big-brother-takes-on-i-380-with-new-speed-cameras#IDComment76834022 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/business/featured-consumer/2010/05/05/eastern-iowa-temp-jobs-go-unfilled-extended-unemployment-blamed#IDComment72971152 Why would I expect anything more? It's a contract between an individual and a company. They need work done, the employer and I agree on an amount of money that job is worth. I perform the job and turn in a daily record of the hours I have spent doing said work and at an agreed upon time the employer pays me for that work. And yes, given the large number of people who do not have work, I do feel grateful to have one, temporary or not. Wed, 5 May 2010 23:42:31 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/business/featured-consumer/2010/05/05/eastern-iowa-temp-jobs-go-unfilled-extended-unemployment-blamed#IDComment72971152 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/business/featured-consumer/2010/05/05/eastern-iowa-temp-jobs-go-unfilled-extended-unemployment-blamed#IDComment72851159 I currently work a temp job because I was laid off from a full-time job. My choices were to accept unemployment or take a temp job, and frankly a temp job pays more. I apologize that I have had to take a non-union job, but I had a mortgage to pay and a family to feed. Also, I have a college degree, I speak English fluently and I have never been arrested. I don't feel used, I feel fortunate to be able to pay my bills during my unemployment period before I find another full-time job. Wed, 5 May 2010 18:06:57 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/business/featured-consumer/2010/05/05/eastern-iowa-temp-jobs-go-unfilled-extended-unemployment-blamed#IDComment72851159 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/30/moratorium-ends-nearly-90000-iowans-face-utility-shutoffs#IDComment65064584 There's a place on your bill where you can pay extra money to donate toward the fund that helps people with their utility bills. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:29:57 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/30/moratorium-ends-nearly-90000-iowans-face-utility-shutoffs#IDComment65064584 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/30/north-liberty-parents-voice-anger-over-school-redistricting-plans#IDComment64902097 So, are you telling me that I do receive section 8 or that I should turn my house into section 8 housing? As long as they bank the money for later, I don't see what the big deal is. I bought a house in NL 10 years ago with the knowledge that I would be responsible for transporting my kids to West for high school, I didn't think it was that big a secret. Perhaps it's not ideal, but it could be way worse. As it is, if they build a new high school they'll have to raise property taxes to be able to hire people to work and teach there, and it probably won't have as many programs as the other 2 high schools. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:37:01 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/03/30/north-liberty-parents-voice-anger-over-school-redistricting-plans#IDComment64902097 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/featured-local-news/2010/03/29/the-little-bohemia-tavern-is-coming-back#IDComment64702331 Mine always get flagged too. Maybe they're just checking my spelling and grammar? Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:29:02 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/featured-local-news/2010/03/29/the-little-bohemia-tavern-is-coming-back#IDComment64702331 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/03/29/chuck-norris-to-campaign-for-vander-plaats-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment64702045 None whatsoever - it's stupid no matter which celebrity is campaigning for which candidate. And just so I'm totally clear, I mean I think it's stupid whether they are Republican or Democratic. Just want to make sure I don't get branded as elitist or classist or discriminatory or whatever. To me, it's a clear sign that the candidate has no ideas and is in danger of losing their race. They bring someone else in to try and get people excited ("Oh, look! It's a famous person! Who cares if they don't know what they're talking about.") so maybe they'll forget the lack of message. Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:26:47 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/03/29/chuck-norris-to-campaign-for-vander-plaats-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment64702045 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62663502 I don' t think you can keep them off the road. We live in a country with a car culture, and it's very difficult to get anywhere (like work or school) without one. If you have better public transit, maybe you'll be able to keep people off the road. Incidentally, my car's been struck by an uninsured driver as well. That is why I have uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage on my car. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:32:26 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62663502 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/03/16/council-votes-to-reoccupy-veterans-memorial#IDComment62662393 I apologize, I should have included them as well. My bad. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:24:01 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/03/16/council-votes-to-reoccupy-veterans-memorial#IDComment62662393 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/03/16/council-votes-to-reoccupy-veterans-memorial#IDComment62610843 I know this is probably a really simple-minded, stupid question. However, if the city can move back downtown on an island in the middle of the river, why can't the county move back to their building next to the river? Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:27:28 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/03/16/council-votes-to-reoccupy-veterans-memorial#IDComment62610843 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/03/16/council-votes-to-reoccupy-veterans-memorial#IDComment62610681 Nearly everything I post gets the same message, and I've never said anything against Mr. Corbett. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:26:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/03/16/council-votes-to-reoccupy-veterans-memorial#IDComment62610681 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62603731 I didn't mean to disrespect him. I personally think that people on here should get together and raise the money to help him out, get him back on his feet, help him get that education and get his car back. He's a veteran - I'm not. That makes him a better person than I am already. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:25:27 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62603731