en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/637663 Comments by iowafoodgeek http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/02/few-takers-so-far-for-backyard-permits-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment96787133 Thanks for the nice article, Cindy. Glad CR is moving forward with this issue. Especially as our food sources become less reliable, it's important to have these kinds of options. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 17:54:41 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/02/few-takers-so-far-for-backyard-permits-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment96787133 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Many-Cedar-Rapids-Pet-Owners-Like-License-Idea-99075114.html#IDComment88231149 Really? What a creepy, Brave New World story. I'll wait a few minutes for KCRG to finish telling me what I think before I continue with my morning. Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:04:18 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Many-Cedar-Rapids-Pet-Owners-Like-License-Idea-99075114.html#IDComment88231149 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/06/23/i-laughed-i-cried-i-checked-my-watch-a-bunch-of-times#IDComment81820615 Let's build a giant chicken coop at the True North site. Horray for chickens! Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:34:20 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/06/23/i-laughed-i-cried-i-checked-my-watch-a-bunch-of-times#IDComment81820615 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/city-room/2010/06/22/council-okays-urban-chickens-in-backyards#IDComment81717232 wonderful news. :) Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:49:54 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/city-room/2010/06/22/council-okays-urban-chickens-in-backyards#IDComment81717232 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/22/cedar-boat-club-plans-fireworks-but-must-find-funding#IDComment76686300 It's not Alliant's event, so NO they don't have their hands in the kettle, they are a generous race sponsor..a little non-profit called CVRA (Cedar Valley Running Association) is the organization that puts on the race and is responsible for all the funding involved. Alliant already gives CVRA a ton of money and support to put the race on, but the City keeps upping the ante. Sat, 22 May 2010 19:28:53 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/22/cedar-boat-club-plans-fireworks-but-must-find-funding#IDComment76686300 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/22/cedar-boat-club-plans-fireworks-but-must-find-funding#IDComment76651406 The City has already set aside a fund that is intended to pay for Police overtime costs. They had $25k in that pot when they started. $15K has already been promised to Freedom Festival. The Police have said the three biggest events that they need to staff are: 1) Freedom Fest Fireworks, 2) Ellis Harbor Fireworks, and 3) Alliant Energy/CVRA 5th Season Races on July 4th. Both Ellis and the 5th Season Race people are each being asked to pony up about $9000 to cover mandated Police security. Why can't the City give them each $5000 to help out those events? Sat, 22 May 2010 13:31:46 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/22/cedar-boat-club-plans-fireworks-but-must-find-funding#IDComment76651406 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/05/18/probationary-poultry#IDComment75977909 Wonderful! Tue, 18 May 2010 12:41:51 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/05/18/probationary-poultry#IDComment75977909 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75112375 Cedar Rapids Citizens for the Legalization of Urban Chickens. I wish I could claim it...but it was someone else's idea. It's hilarious on several levels. Not as hilarious as all this fuss over a few hens, though..... Wed, 12 May 2010 19:44:25 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75112375 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75063883 Dear Mayor Corbet and councilmembers: I realize you are probably reading the "comments" posted here. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry our city is full of people who can not Google "backyard chickens" and I sincerely hope that their anonymous, crappy comments don't sway your willingness to give this idea a chance. Thanks, Rachel Morey CR-CLUC member and future hen owner. Wed, 12 May 2010 14:07:50 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93513019.html#IDComment75063883 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75058671 Other communities are already allowing backyard hens without problems. There will be no special Cedarrapidian Chicken Disease, Extra-Foxy Cedarrapidian Foxes, or Super smelly Cedarrapidian Chicken Poop. Wed, 12 May 2010 13:25:35 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/05/11/backyard-chicken-advocates-continue-to-push-council#IDComment75058671 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/23/chickens-seized-during-routine-iowa-city-traffic-stop#IDComment63699530 I can not seem to locate any information on the chicken documents that one may need in order to keep their poultry in their possession if pulled over during a routine traffic stop. Birdie Birth Certificate? Will they take your dog away if he's in the car with you and you don't have documentation? Well, until we get this sorted out, if you need to transport chickens, set your GPS to avoid Iowa City. Avoid Cedar Rapids, too. They probably have a steep fine for unauthorized chicken-transport. They'll catch you on the cameras. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:48:01 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/23/chickens-seized-during-routine-iowa-city-traffic-stop#IDComment63699530 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/22/culver-signs-bill-bar-guns-for-domestic-abusers#IDComment63532792 I really wish women weren't led to believe that laws created by an authority figure that her partner has already chosen to ignore will keep her safe. A restraining order never saved anyone. He has to agree to follow it. If he's already beating you up, good luck turning him into a law abiding citizen with another law. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:59:55 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/22/culver-signs-bill-bar-guns-for-domestic-abusers#IDComment63532792 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62621481 "These blisteringly high fees require no proof of guilt or conviction. Theyre just an end-run around basic legal rights. " If your case is dismissed by the traffic prosecutor, you still have to pay the fines. The code is written to allow the fine to be imposed when your car is towed for probable cause. There is no way around paying the fine. The cop isn't allowed to let you go. They aren't given discretion. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:54:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62621481 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62621221 People who are really criminals can't be controlled by laws. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:52:01 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62621221 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62619828 My car was towed due to a clerical error. My case was dismissed by the county attorney before the court date. I was told by the PD that I still had to pay the fine because it was imposed due to "probable cause." The PD has no discretion. This was written into the code on purpose. The hearing is with the cop that pulled you over and a mediator. The mediator ONLY has the ability to decide whether the cop DID act in accordance with the code or DID NOT act in accordance with the code. The cop has no discretion, therefore the cop ALWAYS acted in accordance with the code. I got a lot of apologies, but I'm still out $1200 for fines, fees, theft, and property damage. The PD will tell you that you have 30 days to go get your car from PROTOW (plenty of time to straighten out a mess, right?) But PROTOW will crush/auction your car after only a few days. You are entitled to a Final Hearing in front of a judge, but you won't get notified of that right as the code states you should. Even if you had a Final Hearing, by the time it happened, you property would be gone. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:40:15 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62619828 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62452883 Yes. They do seize the car and you will pay PROTOW $270 TOWING FEES plus a per day "storage" fee. If you can go get/show a card the next day, you don't have to pay the $500 city fee, but you are still on the hook for $120 "court costs." Plus, a couple days out of work straightening the whole mess out and the things PROTOW steals from your car. Add that to the damage they do to your vehicle, and you are pretty screwed. If you dare to ask where your valuables are, or note that your windshield is smashed, your tire flattened, and your check engine light on, you will be told by the woman that "runs the lot" that "if you don't like it you shouldn't have gotten your car towed." And she's right. Only hardcore criminals fail to keep a valid insurance card on them at all times. Only people with things to hide who want to hurt others would stand up and ask for their Constitutional Rights, Please. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:38:13 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/16/new-fee-making-it-harder-for-drivers-to-reclaim-cars#IDComment62452883 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/city-room/2010/03/11/expect-a-good-city-council-debate-before-urban-chickens-arrive-in-cedar-rapids-backyards#IDComment62226458 It'll be too bad if the City of Cedar Rapids comes out openly against sustainability. It'll be a bit humiliating to those of us who constantly speak of how much we love living here in the midwest and how great a blessing it is to be able to raise our families here in Cedar Rapids. I don't recall anyone suggesting that we allow hundreds of chickens in anyone's backyard. But then, I'm just an active member of CLUC. Maybe there are others out there who comment as a hobby and know more than I do about what we are requesting. Others who can't use a google search engine. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:37:02 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/city-room/2010/03/11/expect-a-good-city-council-debate-before-urban-chickens-arrive-in-cedar-rapids-backyards#IDComment62226458 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/03/10/opening-night-in-hiawatha#IDComment61350241 Way to go chicken people! We do have the right to raise our own food. I look forward to Cedar Rapids joining the backyard gardening movement that so many other communities have already embraced. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:45:20 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2010/03/10/opening-night-in-hiawatha#IDComment61350241 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/02/19/city-to-spend-540000-to-protect-residents-from-their-yard-carts#IDComment57784413 EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU THAT WROTE A COMMENT ON THIS NEEDS TO CONTACT YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER TODAY. This is beyond ridiculous. These council members need to understand that their position on the city council is being threatened. If they keep doing this Stupid Stupid Stupid stuff...behind closed doors no less....they will NOT BE COUNCIL MEMBERS ANYMORE. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:41:58 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/02/19/city-to-spend-540000-to-protect-residents-from-their-yard-carts#IDComment57784413 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/02/19/city-to-spend-540000-to-protect-residents-from-their-yard-carts#IDComment57782712 It may start to get crowded there for you, as those of us who are beyond tired of this ridiculous crap here in CR move our events and our families to Marion, Hiawatha, and beyond. Unfortunately for my dear family, I still feel like staying and standing up for ourselves is the right thing to do. This yardy thing looks like a big fat warning label, though. Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:23:21 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/02/19/city-to-spend-540000-to-protect-residents-from-their-yard-carts#IDComment57782712