gdp's Comments

GazetteOnline.com : Incoming City Council could work with a five person majority

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 04:23:03 +0000

I believe that we have a council which consists of 9 adults who are beyond simple playground games and one upsmanship. I believe it will be about more than who is now on top and who is going to be the group that is "outsiders". The city council members are each elected by people of thier district to represent the people and interests of thier districts. The at large members are elected to represent all of the people in Cedar Rapids. Each city council member and the new mayor will remember that they have not been elected to stroke thier egos, advance thier own agendas or to dole out retribution for percieved or real slights. I chose to believe in the fact that each of these people cares more about our city than thier own personal gain. If that proves to not be the case, I am prepared , as a citizen to voice my concerns . I hope for the best ! I plan on not being dissapointed.

GazetteOnline.com : Incoming City Council could work with a five person majority

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 03:27:59 +0000

Podzimek said the current nine-member council has embraced to a person a vision for Cedar Rapids as a progressive, vibrant community that invests for future generations. And he said he’s not sure how that will square with what Podzimek said was Corbett’s campaign call for “cheap property taxes.” I would like to think that the vision for Cedar Rapids is not something that will change drastically every time someone is elected. I believe that a vision is something that is not dependent on who is in power. " Vision 2030 offers a look at the city in the future created by ac ommittee of 20 citizens, the city's diverse and growing economic economy helps guarantee a quality of life for all citizens based on broad educational, cultural, recreational opportunities. The vision statement includes growing out goals and objectives including a growing focus on regionalism and private partnerships." What;s not to love in that vision statement.

GazetteOnline.com : Incoming City Council could work with a five person majority

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 03:11:48 +0000

We as citizens have a responsibility to hold our elected officials to a standard. I believe that when a careless statement is made- As citizens we need to not only comment on articles in the Gazette but go to the person and ask what they meant by the statement. We do have to remember that he is entitled to a personal opinion on any matter, but he is a public figure and his words are weighed on a different scale. I guess what I was trying to say is that we as citizens have a right and a responsibility to question our elected officials. We also have an obligation to come forward and sit on boards and commission and speak up for what we believe is important for the betterment of our community.We need to listen and observe and participate as decisions are made. One such opportunity is Thursday night at 5pm at City Hall- the council will be holding a work session to discuss and gather information about the ne budget. I have heard citizens say that we should just cut the budget by 15% or lower property taxes or cut salaries and staff levels. Come and listen and be part of the process.

GazetteOnline.com : Incoming City Council could work with a five person majority

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 03:03:56 +0000

Very good question guardian- thank you for the opportunity to clarify. It has to do with the manner in which we interact with our elected officials. I have heard time and time again, since the change in government that " it used to be better in the old form of government" There was real leadership. I admit I am new to all of this as I was busy raising children and trying to make ends meet during that time. I ask your patience. Since we as a community voted for the change in goverment we now employ a professional city manager( defending the position- not a specific person). The idea was that this was not a political appointment, but rather a professional who had management experience in municipal operations, was knoweledgeable of best practices in business and in the managemnt of resources for a city this size. The person was not someone who was up for election every 4 years.

GazetteOnline.com : Incoming City Council could work with a five person majority

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 02:17:16 +0000

I believe we may be confused as to what the role of the city council is.There are 125,000 people in Cedar Rapids. There are non profit sectors, there are small business sectors, there are city staff and those involved in all walks of life. When we talk about " The city" doing...... do we mean the members of city staff who are employed for the benefit of the community, are we talking about the elected officials or are we talking in fact about something that is taken care of by the county staff and electeds. The city council has duties and responsibilities as outlined by the charter. So does the city manager. City staff are employees of the city of Cedar Rapids. Each group has to work together for the betterment of the community, the county and the region.

GazetteOnline.com : Incoming City Council could work with a five person majority

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 02:12:44 +0000

I believe that all people who serve on the council should consider it a temporary season of service. Perhaps two terms is too much for the average person . I would like us as citizens to have a discussion about what it is to be a part time city council person. I believe that people seek a council position because they want to help their community. The cold truth is that in most local elections no more than 40% of the general population chose to vote. The council fails to represent us .

GazetteOnline.com : City Hall needs applicants for its Long Range Planning Commission

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 02:00:39 +0000

IT is a perfect opportunity for people to get involved- it is of short duration, there is no money involved for the people who serve on it. I have put my application in as have a couple other people I respect.

KCRG : Few Candidates Running for Cedar Rapids Council | KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Local News

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:57:18 +0000

Not to rain on this obviously pessimistic parade but we all have an obligation to make our city better. Running for office is one way- but the council is 9 people who are elected to represent the people. It doesn't mean they are the only venue for creation of ideas. There are myriad volunteer organizations that undergird local electeds. We all need to step up and stop b....g and start doing what we each can. Not everyone can run for council but everyone can choose to be civil and engage in the process.

KCRG : Few Candidates Running for Cedar Rapids Council | KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Local News

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:42:55 +0000

That would be the board of supervisors who are paid full time salaries. The part time city council made 15,000 a year at it's inception and is only slightly higher now. They actually have many meetings scheduled this week. www.cedar-rapids.org .

GazetteOnline.com : Where are all the candidates for Cedar Rapids council?

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:03:58 +0000

well I guess I will repost comments. There are so few candidates running because so many people see it as something that is beyond them.. Running for office is like having children or getting married. You are never going to be fully prepared or know all there is to know.. You are never going to be certain it is the right time to run. The truth is that running for office is not any different than applying for any other job. True your employer is the citizens of Cedar Rapids who each have their own opinions about what you should be doing and how it should be done. There are people who are looking to run in the future who need our support. Very few people will run without being asked to do so. Women especially do not in general, self promote. Some people are afraid of fundraising. Many people are well suited to governing but don't relish the campaign process. I want to see people push themselves a little, step out of their comfort zones and apply to be on commissions or boards. Find out what city council members do and learn about what it takes to govern. Running for office is something that comes to you in stages. If this is not the time to run- prepare for the next time. Join me as one of the first declared candidates for a future election. Together we can learn about what it takes to get people excited about city council not just during election season but throughout the year. Take a chance, learn all you can or help someone who is running if you don't feel comfortable running yourself.

GazetteOnline.com : Where are all the candidates for Cedar Rapids council?

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:46:45 +0000

This comment section is odd. I had posted two comments for this article and they seem to have disappeared. Yet when I check my iphone I can see my two comments. I will repost after I finish work if they don't show back up.

GazetteOnline.com : REPLAY LIVE EVENT: Linn County votes to forgive taxes for flood victims

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 16:26:41 +0000

This is in reference to something elected officials could pursue to assist home owners and businesses. RADIO IOWA NEWS Property tax relief for disaster victims? Friday, April 3, 2009, 1:00 AM By O.Kay Henderson The Iowa Senate has passed a bill that would allow something like tax abatement for property owners who rebuild in disaster zones. Senator Rob Hogg, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says cities and counties would be allowed to give land owners a break on property taxes by keeping the property tax valuation the same as it was before the disaster rather than raising it to reflect all the post-disaster improvements. "Here's an example: if you had a house that was valued at $100,000 before the flood and after the flood you fixed it up and it's now worth $125,000 a city can...say, 'We're going to hold that for a period of five years at $100,000 as an incentive to encourage redevelopment in these disaster-affected areas,'" Hogg says. Cities or counties would have to establish "revitalization zones" where this property tax relief program would be available. "And that's going to be a significant incentive for redevelopment," Hogg says. Hogg is not aware of a city or county hit by last year's disaster that has asked for this kind of property tax break, but he's hopeful it will be embraced. "I'm virtually certain some cities will," Hogg says.

GazetteOnline.com : At-large council member Shey will seek District 3 seat; District 3 incumbent Jerry McGrane says he's

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:15:45 +0000

you and your darn chickens.

GazetteOnline.com : Cedar Rapids leaders: We were wrong on tax abatement period

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:05:59 +0000

how is that parking pass working out for you- always willing to provide direct support.

GazetteOnline.com : At-large council member Shey will seek District 3 seat; District 3 incumbent Jerry McGrane says he's

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:04:02 +0000

That is an awesome opportunity. It means there are two at large positions available with no incumbent. I still in talking with folks, get te sense that there aren't any people who want to run. Nick Duffy and and Chuck Swore are the only at large candidates I know of. If anyone has heard any differently feel free to post.

GazetteOnline.com : Any good economic development news is good in times like this: Quality Chef to add 2 jobs with new i

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:33:20 +0000

It is a little late in the game to run this time. I need to learn more about budgeting and key financial strategies. I have background in flood recovery but as far as planning and development- it is a steeper learning curve. I am attending the Key financial Meetings and budget meetings for City council that begin Monday. The filing deadline is in September. I am interested in seeing who is going to be running- time to get to know them.

GazetteOnline.com : Cedar Rapids hires company to manage parking system

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:24:08 +0000

I believe they went through the RFQ process last year when they were talking about it and at that time had settled on Republic so they started where they left off. I honestly am not sure- I know republic was who they had chosen last year.

GazetteOnline.com : Refusing to leave: 'If (a flood) hits again, I'll fish off the front-porch roof'

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:00:16 +0000

the info I posted below was from FEMA- I know the city followed thier advice. I was working with Americorps as a volunteer at that time- did a bit of mucking and gutting but the city did turn a blind eye for a little while until they figured out that volunteer labor should only be for things like drywall etc.

GazetteOnline.com : Refusing to leave: 'If (a flood) hits again, I'll fish off the front-porch roof'

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:57:59 +0000

f your house is in a special flood hazard zone (100-year floodplain) and you have received substantial damage (50 percent of your home's pre-flood market value) or are undertaking substantial improvements (costing in excess of 50 percent of your home's post-flood market value), you MUST either elevate your house, move it out of the floodplain or wet floodproof it. If you live in a low- to moderate-risk area, you may still choose to elevate your home for added protection. What does it mean to elevate a house? Elevating a house means raising its lowest floor above the flood protection elevation (FPE), a level at which your chances of flooding are greatly diminished or eliminated. The FPE includes one additional foot of elevation to compensate for the uncertainties that exist in expected flood elevations. When a house has been elevated above that level, it still may be subject to flooding and face some risk of damage, but far less than before elevation.

GazetteOnline.com : Refusing to leave: 'If (a flood) hits again, I'll fish off the front-porch roof'

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:27:59 +0000

I would be interested in your ideas. when people say throw the bums out this election- who are the new bums. I haven't heard anyone who is running for city council that has gotten me fired up any more than the current group. you holding out on me?