gdp's Comments

GazetteOnline.com : City begins fight with FEMA over $36 million

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 05:01:08 +0000

Question that needs to be asked here: If the city claims that all these buildings should be eligible for FEMA funding because they were either planned to be brought back 'before the flood' *wink wink* or because they were 'actively being used' *wink wink*; why is it that the city kept talking about using the windfall of cash to use for other projects??? If these were really necessary functioning pieces of the city, wouldn't the city be using any funding for their restoration? I mean, according to the article, the city had already hired someone to look into the hydro-electric dam; so if that is their argument why were they planning on using the funds for an alternative project at another facility? Also, if these are following the guidelines, shouldn't the city have the proper documentation to back up their claims by now? It's been two years!!! I'm rooting for FEMA on this one...

GazetteOnline.com : First big flood home demolition contract wrapping up soon

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:52:34 +0000

I would imagine that if FEMA is funding these demolitions that selecting the low bid would be necessary. Corbett's buy local scheme would not include Zinser anyway seeing as they do not operate out of the Cedar Rapids city limits.

GazetteOnline.com : Branstad campaign to comply with law after buying vehicles illegally

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:55:05 +0000

Nope, no excuse at all, in fact I don't like either him or Culver much. I just think it is sad when people try to turn these types of things into "political issues"...regardless of party affiliation. Now, what Bransad did back in 1990 by selling himself a campaign-purchased vehicle for under half of its book value? That I have a problem with...

GazetteOnline.com : Old seed corn to add $175,000 to Sinclair demo bill

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:40:09 +0000

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency is paying for the demolition, now in progress, at a cost that could reach $15 million, Eyerly said Thursday." The contracts for demolition that were awarded in May of this year amounted to roughly $8 million; so are we to expect an additional $7 million in chageorders from Zinser and Eyerly?? Something appears to be happening behind closed doors and Eyerly just tipped his hand. May 7, 2010: http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/20...

GazetteOnline.com : Branstad campaign to comply with law after buying vehicles illegally

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:11:40 +0000

Branstad is responsible for all sorts of laws, he has been governor for nearly 10% of Iowa's statehood! This seems like a 'non-story' seeing as the Ethics Board Director admits that he made a mistake with his advice and Branstad's campaign is correcting the error without any further fanfare.

GazetteOnline.com : Old seed corn to add $175,000 to Sinclair demo bill

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:31:37 +0000

Doesn't the city have an attorney that can draft a simple demand letter to the company that owns the corn? If that doesn't work, take them to court and get a judgement. Maybe next time the city should screen their tenants a little more.

GazetteOnline.com : County upset with UI over school property

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:23:17 +0000

I understand that the building was flooded, but "filled" with water? That is a multi-level building and could not have possibly been filled with water. Who chose to build that large of a building next to the river anyway? How much damage was sustained in 2008 due to the flooding and how much is it going to cost to rebuild this building?

GazetteOnline.com : County upset with UI over school property

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:33:38 +0000

Why is Hancher being rebuilt? I was just at a play there a few years ago and it seemed to be an adequate venue. And the music department was in the same building, correct? Why are these buildings being rebuilt in separate locations and how much is tuition going to be raised to pay for all this moving?

KCRG : Foreclosed Home with Pool Causes Problems for City, Neighborhood | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa New

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:26:23 +0000

Too late for the "municipal infraction"; the bank no longer owns the house either. Federal taxpayers now own the home and will take any loss on the bad loan as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development holds the deed. Great investigative work by KCRG and Iowa City, this information can be found on Iowa City's own website to boot...

GazetteOnline.com : Foreclosed home's pool causes headaches for neighbors

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 02:21:07 +0000

Too late for the "municipal infraction"; the bank no longer owns the house either. Federal taxpayers now own the home and will take any loss on the bad loan as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development holds the deed. Great investigative work by the Gazette and Iowa City, this information can be found on Iowa City's own website to boot...

GazetteOnline.com : City's Version of Beef with FEMA - Updated

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:45:18 +0000

Looks like this posts' edit was spot on to what Dorman included in his edit today. Where is the accountability for this particular official?

GazetteOnline.com : City's Version of Beef with FEMA - Updated

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:40:42 +0000

Oh come on, “Christmas may have just come early in Cedar Rapids,” is this really what our government has come to? Did Obama plan this line? Maybe part of the stimulus? I didn't think that government bureaucrats were supposed to promise anything to the public, or in this case the city? Isn't that supposed to be up to the elected officials?