gdp's Comments

GazetteOnline.com : Former executive of Cedar Rapids apartment complex owner says he is owed $20.65 million

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:23:53 +0000

If those figures are correct . . . then someone is WAY over-charging rent.

GazetteOnline.com : Police issue reminder on door-to-door sales

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:46:38 +0000

Is it just me, or do other people think the City of CR has a bunch of Department Heads who act "cowardly" when it comes to media coverage - - - meaning, they avoid the media like the plague . . . and instead rely on subordinate staff to handle public relations? I'm not saying Cristy Hamblin doesn't handle the task well for the Police . . . but why is it always her and rarely that we see the Chief? The same goes for other Departments . . . as it's always Craig Hanson and never Engineer Dave Elgin for Public Works, and Planning Director Christine Butterfield has always been invisible. This "PR" appraoch (at least to me) implies "spin" being applied. I'd rather have spontaneity from those actually directly affected with news stories - - - and not a step-in marketing person.

GazetteOnline.com : Backyard chickens on their way to Cedar Rapids on a 5-3-1 vote

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:38:29 +0000

The City of CR needs to change its slogan, as it no longer is "a vibrant urban hometown" (actually never was, because that was just a lot of marketing c r a p) - - - but, rather, is now "a vibrant farm".

GazetteOnline.com : Police find naked man riding bicycle in Marion park

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:25:46 +0000

Americans . . . what a bunch of pruds.

GazetteOnline.com : Council votes 6-3 to close a piece of Second Avenue SE

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:22:32 +0000

Boo! Hiss! I've tired of the sham (i.e., done-deal from the start). Bottom-line - - - next election(s) . . . bye, bye, Council. News Flash! Anyone wanting a boat-load of free money for so-called "economic development" need only line-up at City Hall with hand held out - - - because there is no basis for detemining who gets what . . . no strategy what-so-ever.

GazetteOnline.com : Council member hopes to delay Second Ave. vote to discuss other options

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:29:17 +0000

Compromise? Geez . . . grow a pair and take a stand. Tell PCI to either keep 2nd Ave open, or take a hike. (Their talk of relocating is all "smoke & mirrors" . . . because they've already bought-up enough property to demonstrate they'll stay near the hospitals.) Once again the Council doesn't get it. Its poor judgements have lost whatever confidence they had from their constituents - - - made obvious by endorsing this boon-doggle before getting facts, wasting time with a consultant traffic study (when City staff should have done it from the beginning), and readily caving-in to special interests vs. representing their constituency. It appears Monica gets it (although her "compromise" tactic is flawed) . . . because she knows she'll be voted out next election if she gives everything away to PCI (recognizing proposed incentives are still without basis, and without regard to consideration of filling any actual financial gap).

GazetteOnline.com : City plan drops cost to divert Second Avenue SE traffic

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:09:15 +0000

Okay . . . so . . . what the was the (bleeping) point of the "independent" consultant study, if City staff is just going to toss the so-called expert advice aside??? Oh, I think I get it - - - the consultant improvements made no sense, as they were 4 times greater than the cost of a skywalk (duh) and the City's plan is (surprise, surprise) less expensive than a skywalk. Gee, does anyone possibly think that maybe (just maybe) the numbers are being manipulated to suit the purpose of those behind this boon-doggle??? This will be a water-shed moment for the new form of government. Will the Council actually represent their constituency (as advocated for the change) or will the Council cave-in to special interests. Where's the Council's fiduciary role that's suppose to protect public funds? Again, PU. This just stinks worse and worse.

GazetteOnline.com : It looks like 3-3-3 on PCI; Shields or Gulick could be the crucial vote

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:24:26 +0000

Untold millions to be spent as a consequence of closing 2nd Ave . . . from re-routing traffic and converting one-ways to two ways. But, cost of a skywalk is only 1 million. So - - - duh - - - build the skywalk. This deal stinks for many reasons, not the least of which is that the Council made commitments without either being fully informed, or considering constituent values. The real problem is that it is simply a give-away with no economic development strategy at all. No basis for what to "incentivize" or for how much. There's no equity with other assisted projects. Public funds should only provide "gap" financing - - - and there has been no demonstration of need. PU!

GazetteOnline.com : Medical district picture changes

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:33:19 +0000

What a "back-peddle" editorial. The medical district is good. No, wait . . . it needs re-evaluation.

GazetteOnline.com : Linn supervisors set budget for Oxley center, jail projects

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:24:34 +0000

Jean Oxley was a long-trusted public servant who was dedicated to the betterment of her community. However, can't say the same about any current so-called "leaders".

GazetteOnline.com : Sinclair bricks to be used in new library; REPLAY live chat on library design

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:18:48 +0000

Like the re-use of bricks . . . but hope building design to incorporate them is nothing like that of the hideous History Center.

GazetteOnline.com : Chamber of Commerce backs closing of portion of Second Avenue SE

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:55:44 +0000

Oh gee! What a surprise!!! Especially considering everyone knows the Chamber has taken up residence in the the back pocket of City Hall and the Gazette.

GazetteOnline.com : NEW DATABASE: Cedar Rapids cameras have field day with speeders

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:20:40 +0000

Wait a minute . . . how the heck does a vehicle get a warning??? This is the first I've seen / heard of warnings being issued. Is there an "equal protection under the law" issue here?

GazetteOnline.com : Waterloo looks into installing red light cameras

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:49:31 +0000

Noooooo! Don't do it! Save yourselves!

GazetteOnline.com : Cedar Rapids paying firm to help purchase land for fire station, other facilities

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:16:24 +0000

"BP" . . . i.e., Before Prosser . . . the City had qualified managers with experience. The elimination of those 30+ positions opened the consultant spigot. Today's (August 17th) "Non sequitur" comic says it all: http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/ The City of CR has lost its soul, as it was sold to consultants.

GazetteOnline.com : Corbett against hiring additional city consultants

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:48:07 +0000

Butterfield and Bogert, "said the city could use the consulting team as much or as little as it chooses." What a non-positional "cop out" statement.

GazetteOnline.com : Council's Vernon reminds PCI of 'unprecedented' medical mall incentives

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:29:01 +0000

I disagree. While taxes from increased valuation can be applied to pay for development improvements, in reality it keeps these funds from being deposited into the City's general fund. And, without any transparency, it's not possible at this point to know if the increase will cover all incentives being given away. Just more "smoke & mirrors" . . . because the City doesn't need to incentivize this project. PCI can do it out-of-pocket. The incentives are just lining pockets with unwarranted profit (especially if the City doesn't assist with a skywalk). I believe a faliscy is also that it isn't just City tax dollars being taken for a ride . . . it's also those of the County and School district . Isn't it just the City that captures the increased valuation, which means nothing at all gained by the other taxing districts?

GazetteOnline.com : Council's Vernon reminds PCI of 'unprecedented' medical mall incentives

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:05:37 +0000

Could this bad land development to be bailed out with a boat-load of public funds possibly stink any worse? Just more and more demonstration showing how the City of CR is planning a give-away with has absolutely no economic development strategy . . . none at all. So, now the promised new jobs are cut in half??? Forget the claimed retention of jobs, which is all "smoke & mirrors". PCI ain't goin' no where if they don't get their way. KEEP 2ND AVENUE OPEN!!! Duh.

GazetteOnline.com : City waiting for FEMA approval on library development agreement

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:23:41 +0000

This equates to a City economic development incentive of $19,800 per new job (for 50) over ten years. So, wouldn't that also equate to $1,980,000 as an equitable incentive to PCI for the 100 new jobs it claims it will create - - - and NOT the excessive give-away planned without any other explanation of basis? Again, the City apparently has no equitable rationale for award of economic development incentives (at least none identified). There is no strategy . . . none at all.

GazetteOnline.com : Council to hire traffic study to explore closing Third Street NE for Event Center

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:15:08 +0000

Hello? Someone needs to tell the Council that it is actually is okay to design development so that it is either built over a street or accommodated by skywalk. Hello?