en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/686655 Comments by rhondaks http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Branstad-Doesnt-Favor-Plan-To-Pay--119059489.html#IDComment139126226 The attorneys who take state-appointed cases are NOT rich attorneys. These cases don't pay a lot, but they are a steady stream of income....when the state is paying the bills. Many of these attorneys have not received a paycheck from the state since the end of January. I am an ex-wife of one such attorney and I am expecting an eviction notice next week because he can't afford to pay me alimony (I put him through law school and helped start his business so I don't feel getting for getting alimony). There are similar stories of ex's not being able to pay child support, legal staff being laid off, etc. This is a real blow to the criminal justice system because this situation will prompt a lot of attorneys to no longer take these cases, which is scary given a person's right to a speedy trial. I pay Branstad signs the bill so I don't end up evicted and can stop going to food banks. Fri, 1 Apr 2011 14:54:51 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Branstad-Doesnt-Favor-Plan-To-Pay--119059489.html#IDComment139126226 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2010/07/30/street-system-could-cope-with-closed-second-avenue#IDComment89983175 Why do the city leaders continue to thumb their noses at the people that elected them?! People have said they don't want this done. I guess they all only want one term in office because this junk has been ridiculous since the last election. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:04:41 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2010/07/30/street-system-could-cope-with-closed-second-avenue#IDComment89983175 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Group-Representing-Area-Landlords-Sue-City--99667589.html#IDComment89982720 I live in HUD funded housing. My landlord and apt. manager doesn't do a thing to people who are committing crimes here daily (mainly drugs, assualt, etc...but there have been armed robbers here too). I think this type of ordinance is extremely important to cleaning up our neighborhoods. If it is hard for landlords to understand and enforce then change it. But keep the intent intact! Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:00:56 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Group-Representing-Area-Landlords-Sue-City--99667589.html#IDComment89982720 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/07/23/cedar-rapids-pet-owners-talk-licensing-animal-control#IDComment88498825 There are a lot of elderly and disabled individuals living with service animals that licensing annually might push over the edge. Once again, the poorest folks will get hurt the worst by another move by the city council. And I would like to point out that I am a registered voter that votes in every election! Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:30:37 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/07/23/cedar-rapids-pet-owners-talk-licensing-animal-control#IDComment88498825 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/06/30/committee-at-odds-over-councils-use-of-flood-tax-funds#IDComment83455923 I want my freakin' pennies back! Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:16:47 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/06/30/committee-at-odds-over-councils-use-of-flood-tax-funds#IDComment83455923 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/06/21/linn-county-attorney-retires-after-45-year-law-career#IDComment81223365 No more computer solitaire on the taxpayers dime for Harold soon. And, just maybe sexual abuse against children cases will be prosecuted now. One can only hope! He is a good prosecutor but horrible leader...should NEVER have been county attorney. Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:06:53 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/06/21/linn-county-attorney-retires-after-45-year-law-career#IDComment81223365 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/06/16/live-chat-on-red-light-cameras-11-a-m-tuesday#IDComment80255931 My question is why isn't Chief Graham answering questions during the chat? He is the one who so proudly brags these machines are saving lives and adamantly stated these cameras are not up to make money. BS...and he knows it...so he pushes answering the tough questions off on someone else with the police force. Sad. And, I agree with CameaSite...awfully convenient many people won't be able to participate live because of work. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:28:16 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/06/16/live-chat-on-red-light-cameras-11-a-m-tuesday#IDComment80255931 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/06/11/one-hurt-in-cedar-rapids-motorcycle-crash#IDComment79730923 This man is in very serious condition right now. I always get frustrated with the idiots on here that post and demonstrate their stupidity, but the family of this man may read this junk. The stupid posts, in the name of free speech, really just add salt to the wounds. And we wonder why our society has sunk so low...nobody has respect for anyone anymore. Sat, 12 Jun 2010 13:21:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/06/11/one-hurt-in-cedar-rapids-motorcycle-crash#IDComment79730923 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/96112239.html#IDComment79601110 That is so wonderful! Thanks to the company who donated them. Given the number of people who own dogs and cats I'm surprised the pet mask hasn't had to be used sooner. But, it is nice to know it is available!! I have a service dog and would be lost in many ways without him. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:49:15 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/96112239.html#IDComment79601110 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93406684.html#IDComment74914317 Is there more information about the luncheon? Is it open to the public? If so, how do we get tickets and how much are they? Use basic reporting skills...don't leave your readers/viewers with questions! Tue, 11 May 2010 17:49:48 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/93406684.html#IDComment74914317 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/05/10/colin-powell-to-help-dedicate-korean-war-monument-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment74856044 Any word on how to get tickets to the luncheon? Tue, 11 May 2010 12:15:10 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/05/10/colin-powell-to-help-dedicate-korean-war-monument-in-cedar-rapids#IDComment74856044 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/91000154.html#IDComment68319724 This is wrong on many levels! You can't have individuals performing, or evening being perceived to perform, functions that society has accepted as confidential....as with a pastor at a church...be THAT different with a hospital chaplain and NOT disclose that at the VERY beginning of the conversation. I realize they probably don't disclose it because people would be extremely guarded or refuse outright to speak with a chaplain, but this is very, very wrong. Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:09:50 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/91000154.html#IDComment68319724 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/88397742.html#IDComment62796776 Bedbugs do not come from people not taking care of their apartments or being slobs. Bedbugs have been a problem in major cities for more than a decade. And, they ARE currently in Cedar Rapids. My apartment complex has had them for at least a year...luckily several of us have NOT gotten them...but one of my friends did and she had to move out and throw away all her furniture. It was HORRIBLE. Our landlord is just now having someone come and deal with the problem. I think I'll send them a copy of this article to light a fire under their behinds. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:41:10 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/88397742.html#IDComment62796776 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/02/09/former-gazette-employee-on-library-board-brings-up-ethics-concerns#IDComment56103675 As someone who used to work with Phyllis at The Gazette, I have to say I am extremely surprised that the concept of a conflict of interest did not hit her from the first time The Gazette buildings were mentioned. Phyllis has always been a woman of extremely high integrity. She has been on the library board for years....and the board is lucky to have her. However, I think she made a mistake on this one. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:37:54 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/02/09/former-gazette-employee-on-library-board-brings-up-ethics-concerns#IDComment56103675 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/01/21/network-problems-cited-in-mediacom-internet-service-outage#IDComment53222231 The internet access from Tuesday night through part of the day yesterday was shotty AT BEST. By mid afternoon I couldn't get access at all and it wasn't available again until 5:30 am today. I was up at 2:30 am trying in vain to access the internet. My frustration is that Mediacom can send out an automated recording letting us all know that a temporary deal was reached for Iowa's bowl game. Why couldn't they do the same for this?! It obviously impacted a lot of people across the state if you follow the chatter...thank God I had my cell phone and could somewhat access stuff. And, trying to get through to customer service was a joke...I tried 3 different phone numbers and all had a steady busy signal until this morning. Then nobody answered and I didn't even get a recording. I understand problems happen, but Mediacom seems to have more than their share of "problems" and the customer service always leaves a lot to be desired. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:18:44 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/01/21/network-problems-cited-in-mediacom-internet-service-outage#IDComment53222231 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/81238777.html#IDComment51714451 I can't believe Culver honestly thinks he can get reelected. I'm a registered Democrat and I'll do everything I can to encourage folks on the fence (apparently with blinders on) to not vote for him. He had hurt Iowans currently and down the road. We'll be paying for having him in office for years. And, if he hadn't been stupid and called for "across the board cuts" and provided the list of potential cuts from department heads that he had LAST legislative session maybe we wouldn't be in such a big mess. Why have "across the board cuts" if you want to handpick your pet projects to put money back into? It should have been line by line cuts, like we do in the real world when our bank account is low. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:45:50 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/81238777.html#IDComment51714451 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/80436717.html#IDComment49861426 This guy is obviously not up for father of the year. What a loser. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:54:16 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/80436717.html#IDComment49861426 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/12/23/photos-two-steal-purse-left-on-cedar-rapids-bus-by-special-needs-woman#IDComment48813294 I have a daughter with special needs. If you aren't around someone with special needs regularly you'd be amazed at what people will do to take advantage of people with disabilities. And the elderly. I am personally shocked by nothing anymore. We live in a very cruel society. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:30:59 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/12/23/photos-two-steal-purse-left-on-cedar-rapids-bus-by-special-needs-woman#IDComment48813294 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/12/17/mediacom-vs-sinclair-where-do-you-stand#IDComment47669822 I am stuck with Mediacom now that I'm in an apartment. Their rates are outrageous already! Sinclair is just greedy. Their local programming on Channel 2 and Fox stinks. They can't keep on-air talent and have to create controversy where none exists for many news stories. I say everybody should boycott Sinclair and just watch the national shows on the Internet. If your favorite CBS shows aren't available online then sent an email to CBS telling them why you aren't watching their shows. Sinclair owns a ton of stations across the country! The Cedar Rapids area can't be the only place they try to do this too! Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:14:36 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/12/17/mediacom-vs-sinclair-where-do-you-stand#IDComment47669822 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/15/husband-wants-forgiveness-for-wife-who-killed-their-child#IDComment47551015 It is sad to see how misunderstood mental illness is...even by the judge. I'm not saying she shouldn't have paid for her crime in some way, but she needs to be in a mental health facility long-term, not prison. And, to stop taking medication is part of the mental illness. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:32:15 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/15/husband-wants-forgiveness-for-wife-who-killed-their-child#IDComment47551015