http://business380.com/2012/05/13/why-downtown-matters/
"There's no reason, Sanford says, that cities can't do more than one thing at once. Streets can be fixed in residential neighborhoods even as downtown's are being revitalized, he (urban planning consultant Sanford) says."
Even with a record municipal debt and $millions in downtown cost overruns residential streets are being repaired. Ask the Mayor when your street will be fixed.
†~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~†
Wait for the light to change before hitting the gas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SENATOR LIZ MATHIS' $20,000 VEHICLE ACCIDENT COVER-UP
Greetings, Senator Liz Mathis—
When you answered a 4-22-12 newspaper inquiry into your vehicle accident with "no comment"--and when you ignored Iowalive's inquiries about your accident for nearly 2 weeks--serious doubts about police favoritism, a cover-up, your integrity, and the integrities of others, were immediately raised. Your sudden admission of the accident, within a matter of hours after it was known Iowalive had a copy of the accident report--does not transcend the nearly 3 week cover-up with your silence and stonewalling--while the accident was not reported in the Gazette.
Had the police done a better job, and had you used much better judgment, you could have honestly answered:
- I was the cause of an accident involving 3 cars and $20,000 of total damages.
- There is no one to blame but myself
- I was given a blood alcohol test at the scene and (passed or failed) it
- I was given a traffic ticket for reckless driving
- I was checked for texting and found I (was or was not) texting at the time of the accident.
- There (were, or were not) serious injuries to the other vehicles' occupants
Such an answer would have eliminated reasonable suspicions of police favoritism or a cover up.
According to the Cedar Rapids police accident report, case #201205305, the accident occurred at 2:00 P. M., on Friday, 4-20-12!!
You were cited, but given no ticket, for following too closely and striking and seriously damaging a vehicle stopped at an intersection--and forcing it into damaging a third vehicle, also stopped at the intersection. Total damage to 3 vehicles was estimated at $20,000 in the accident report.
Do you find it strange you were not given a blood alcohol test at the scene of the accident?
Do you also find it strange you were not given a ticket for crashing into the rear of an automobile, that was in plain sight, in your lane, and legally stopped at an intersection?
Do you find it strange the Cedar Rapids Police and The Gazette treated the crash as a minor fender bender in a parking lot? It is appalling the Gazette didn't even report it--and likely won't--even though a state senator was involved, in whose judgment Iowan's placed their trust to govern the state!!
Do you think people should believe the bill board caused the accident--as you claimed in the accident report?, posted on website: http://iowalive.net/mathispolicereport.htm
Do you have friends in high places in Cedar Rapids, such as City Hall and others?
Your answers to the above 5 questions could be most helpful in recognizing and reporting the events and putting the accident to rest.
The following table presents the Integrity Index Scores for the accident and for some related events.
COVER-UP OF SENATOR LIZ MATHIS' ACCIDENT IS VERY TROUBLING
|
THE CEDAR RAPIDS POLICE AND THE GAZETTE TREATED SENATOR LIZ MATHIS' $20,000 VEHICLE DAMAGE ACCIDENT AS A MINOR FENDER BENDER IN A PARKING LOT. NO TICKET, NO BLOOD TEST AND NO NEWSPAPER REPORT! |
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF KEY SENATOR LIZ MATHIS ACCIDENT ISSUES |
INTEGRITY INDEX SCORE ON SCALE OF 0 TO 100 TOPS |
|
SENATOR LIZ MATHIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TICKET FOR RECKLESS DRIVING THAT CAUSED $20,000 TOTAL DAMAGE TO 3 CARS--2 OF WHICH WERE LEGALLY STOPPED IN THE PROPER LANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT |
96 |
|
SENATOR LIZ MATHIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT |
94 |
|
THE POLICE REPORT CONTENTS AVG. INTEGRITY SCORE |
70 |
|
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HANDLING OF THE ACCIDENT |
60 |
|
SENATOR LIZ MATHIS' JUDGMENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT |
2 |
|
SENATOR LIZ MATHIS' CLAIM SHE WAS LOOKING AT A BILLBOARD AND THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, AS STATED IN THE ACCIDENT REPORT |
0 |
|
SIGNIFICANT INTEGRITY STARTS AT 30 |
|
|
ANYONE CLAIMING TO HAVE BETTER NUMBERS IS ASKED TO PROVIDE THEM. |
|
http://iowalive.net/mathispolicereport.htm
Body Shop Makes Final Repairs to Tin Horn Liz's Tin Lizzy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Will the True Cost of the True North Library Be?
http://thegazette.com/2012/04/30/asbestos-removal-costs-at-new-library-site-rise-again/?comments=show
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Cedar Rapids Streets Turn to Mud
http://thegazette.com/2012/04/22/cedar-rapids-officials-push-more-funding-for-trails-bike-lanes/
Mayor Corbett & Mayor Pro Tem Vernon Promise More Money for Bicycle Trails
http://thegazette.com/2012/04/22/cedar-rapids-officials-push-more-funding-for-trails-bike-lanes/?comments=show
With Only One Leg to Stand On After Two Sales Tax Disasters
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett Vows to Attempt Re-election
Riding a Bicycle Down Rutted City Streets
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Their Local Option Sales Tax LOST - Again
Fill the Chamber's Pot with Record Downtown Benefits Debt
http://thegazette.com/2012/04/11/cedar-rapids-setting-debt-record-with-bond-sale/
Banish the Bourbons Before They Bankrupt Us All
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
World Renown for its Bio Smells
http://thegazette.com/2012/04/08/state-demands-return-of-grant-from-agsugar-international/
The Engineering was supposed to turn waste into wealth
What was delivered was wealth into waste
Financial Engineering Assistance Provided by The Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Call me a senator, NOT a lady!"
Picked to Make Four Oaks Look Good
Picked in a Back Room by Party Bosses to Run
Picked to be Downtown Cedar Rapids Second State Senator
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Victory is Ours!
Lisa Kuzela Hugs Eric Rosenthal as the LOST defeat flashed on television.
The Bourbons have beaten themselves again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB1kp9adYYE
"It's all for housing," council member Monica Vernon explained as the council unanimously passed the resolution. Gazette 2009
Children!
“You will vote until you vote right”
What part of no can’t they understand?
Lost Extension
March 6th
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO OPERATE ITS NEW $44.5 MILLION DOLLAR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING—THE TAJ MAHAL AKA the "Shrine"
~Ajai Dittmar
http://www.signsofprogresscr.com/2011/01/educational-leadership-and-support.html
I called Laurel Day, School Board Secretary, and asked her what the costs were going to be for the brand new administrative building for one year. Here is what she emailed me back:
"Thank you for your patience as it has taken me time to discuss your request for information with appropriate District personnel. Per District Procedure 1008a "Request for Public Records", I'd like to inform you that there will be a fee associated with the retrieval, and potentially copying fee, of records requested detailing the line item costs for staff and operation of the new administration building for one year. The information is not readily available in an existing public record; therefore, District staff would be required to extract, assimilate and/or interpret information/data. At this time, after visiting with our staff, we are estimating up to 1-2 hours of their time to generate the information. Please review the attached document and let us know how you'd like to proceed."
WHAT?!
They want me to pay for information they should already have on hand? Are they of their minds? Do they really think we are that stupid? I mean I may have been schooled in the public school system
but I was lucky enough to be schooled in the Cedar Rapids Public School system when the schools were still good!
I
think we need to compare
the cost of operating that administrative mansion with the cost of
operating our neighborhood schools that the district wants to
close. I wonder if all four of the schools can be operated at less than
the cost of that shrine that they built for themselves?
Got some answers and here are the numbers:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What If There Were No FEMA?
“I reiterated that we were about three-quarters of the way done with flood recovery, and that we need a little more help on a few more projects.” the mayor said he told Obama."
http://thegazette.com/2012/01/25/corbett-quickly-plugged-more-flood-relief-during-visit-with-obama/
"Corbett says he wants to tell Obama about the "significant progress" the city's made since the flood with the federal government's help, including rebuilding its library and a downtown theatre. But he says he also wants to ask for the president's help with a few of the lingering funding disputes the city has with the Federal Emergency Management Agency."
http://www.kgan.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.ia/3ab9aea3-www.kgan.com.shtml
Where would True North be without all that money?
Would the $7.5 million Cedar Rapids Library deal have have been possible without FEMA?
Who else in the Downtown District needs "help?"
FEMA can't do it all.
That is what a local option sales tax forever is for.
Vote No March 6th
What is going on here?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Will the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce Sacrifice Mayor Corbett?
http://thegazette.com/2012/01/15/cedar-rapids-mayor-has-ties-to-agsugar-international-executives/
The Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce’s legacy media voice, Sourcemedia, did an excellent expose’ on the Agsugar fiasco.
What a shame such investigative journalism has not been done on the prospects of the Downtown District’s hotel and convention center, the New Bohemia year round farmer’s market and other projects the Chamber demanded. Sourcemedia endorsed City Council members are taxing us to pay for them all.
Agsugar smells so bad; a bottle of public relations perfume would not mask the stench. Agsugar needed aired out. Of course, the Chamber was involved along with the City and State of Iowa. Who made the error?
With the Agsugar report, an article was run on Mayor Corbett’s investment portfolio. This was interesting considering the non-reporting of questionable connections between local government and the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, or whatever it has changed its name to today.
Is Mayor Corbett being to set up to take the blame?
http://thegazette.com/2012/01/15/risky-business-agsugar-international-lands-state-aid-and-then-changes-course/
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
Yes,
Virginia, CR $mells
$
$
http://www.cedarrapids.org/advocacy/bizpac.aspx
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
http://thegazette.com/2012/01/15/cedar-rapids-mayor-has-ties-to-agsugar-international-executives/
$
$
$
$
it doesn't look good when things like this are being built and
schools are being closed down" ~Ajai Dittmar
It doesn't matter where the money comes from—what matters is how it looks to the people— and it doesn’t look good!
Meantime:
Tax
Funded Yuppie Puppy U.
No Thank You
"The state of Iowa has only eight charter schools. Teacher Gretchen Price would like No. 9 to be in downtown Cedar Rapids.
“It feels like the right time and place, sort of a perfect storm,” she said."
http://thegazette.com/2011/02/09/212655/
"Thank you for your continued support for and/or interest in bringing a charter school to the downtown Cedar Rapids area. The Downtown School development team would like to take this opportunity to respond to the recent statement released by the Cedar Rapids Community School District School Board regarding their refusal to "collaborate with any group requesting a charter school in the district" at this time."
“The Cedar Rapids school board isn’t in a position to collaborate with any group requesting a charter school, according to a statement read by Board President John Laverty Monday night.”
“Supporters of the four Cedar Rapids elementary schools under consideration for closure — Harrison, Madison, Monroe and Polk — took to the microphone Monday night to address the Cedar Rapids school board.”
http://thegazette.com/2012/01/09/supporters-make-their-case-for-c-r-schools/
The Cedar Rapids School District is facing a perfect storm. Shifting population patterns and the need to economize have brought elementary school closings to the forefront. The Board's past decision on a Downtown charter school lends credibility to their ability to decide responsibly.
“SourceMedia company President Chuck Peters has articulated this effort and is committed deeply to it. It is part of the transformation of the media industry he has shared publicly. “
http://thegazette.com/2011/07/01/website-for-transforming-education-in-iowa-launched/
The Cedar Rapids School Board was under great pressure. The power of Cedar Rapids dominant local media was brought to bear as, “Transforming education in Iowa.” The site of Downtown's school was to be the current offices of the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Sourcemedia has been open on its intent to vacate this property.
That was then, what about now?
Chuck Peters is still the CEO of Sourcemedia. Though no longer Chairman of the Board of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Peters is still on the Chamber's Board of Directors as an officer. If the Cedar Rapids Gazette building is still available, contact Sourcemedia for an answer.
http://www.cedarrapids.org/chamber/Board-of-Directors.aspx
The Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce has obfuscated its name, but not its game. The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance remains active in its efforts to promote Downtown Cedar Rapids above all else.
Web sites advocating a Cedar Rapids charter school are still active. Do they still seek a charter school, or a downtown school?
If the need is so great, the charter school crew should consider going private. It would not be in Downtown Cedar Rapids, but there may soon be some Cedar Rapids school real estate available for a reasonable deal.
Unlike Cedar Rapids City Council, the Cedar Rapids School Board has not been Downtown myopic. The Cedar Rapids School District stuck to its responsibility to best serve all students in its District; not just Downtown Cedar Rapids elite few.
The Cedar Rapids School Board is currently facing some tough decisions on school closings. Simply raising taxes and throwing money at whoever wants something is no solution. That is what Cedar Rapids City Council would do.
Whatever decision the Cedar Rapids School Board makes, it is bound to make some unhappy. That is the price for doing the right thing. The School Board's past courage gives hope what is in the best interest of the whole will be their choice.
Iowa Live writes:
Greetings, Todd Dorman, Gazette Columnist--
From your comments in today’s Gazette it appears you slept last night and did you not watch the Iowa caucus vote counting debacle unfold! If you slept, you missed the “rest of the story”. As a homosexual marriage and homosexual sex advocate it is understandable you would have faint praise for Santorum, who was strongly supported by non-homosexual marriage and non-homosexual sex voters—and who might have won with an accurate vote count. But you completely missed the vote count inaccuracies and the lost ballots.
At 1:30 AM, long after Romney and Santorum had finished their post-election speeches, without knowing who had won--nationwide viewers on FOX NEWS were told the vote count inaccuracies in Story County had supposedly been corrected, the ballots were not on a truck that couldn’t be found, and the Clinton County Romney and Santorum supporters had been found and gathered to reach an agreement on what they remembered were the election results there.
Romney’s 8 vote election win was determined on a political bargain—sans ballots.
Iowa’s GOP caucus officials made Iowa look like a hick state once again. Can’t you hear the foul cries in four years when you and Iowa’s political hacks shamelessly tout Iowa’s validity for holding first in the nation caucuses—with lost votes and political bargains thrown in, at no extra cost??!!
Sincerely willing to wait for 4 years!
Look at the chart below and you will see an accurate forecast of the election winner. It’s operators were not “confounded” by the complexities involved, as you surmised.
Iowalive
Greetings, Governor Terry Branstad—
Kudos to Rick Santorum and to The Real Money Futures Market, operated by the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business--where people bet their money, not their mouths. As shown in the following chart, they picked Romney to get the most caucus votes, and he did. However, Santorum surprised them, as well as others, but not the Iowa Evangelicals.
This is how Iowa politics looked at 6:15 PM Jan 3, 2012, As Posted on http://iowalive.net/
According to The Real Money Futures Market operated by the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business--where people bet their money, not their mouths!
BOO HISS to the Iowa GOP for fumbling the ballots and vote count. It should not take from 8:00 PM to 1:30 AM the following morning to collect and accurately count 122,000 ballots. It was a huge embarrassment to Iowa to have FOX NEWS and Karl Rove sort through the mess at 1:00 AM and report inaccurate vote counts in Story County and lost ballots in Keokuk and Clinton Counties—as the problem.
Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa and head of the caucus, ran and hid and left reporters at FOX NEWS and a national audience laughing at the Iowa GOP vote count debacle, until he finally appeared at !:30 AM and tried to ignore the problem.
So what will Governor Branstad, head of the Iowa GOP do about it?
Branstad will shamelessly hold a press conference on Friday Jan. 6 and unveil his proposal on how to run Iowa’s public schools!!! The Iowa GOP can’t run a political caucus but that doesn’t stop them from trying to run Iowa’s public schools—or from ignoring Judy Hintz, at Educational Resource Associates in West Des Moines, who could run them.
Is this Heaven? NO! It’s Iowa!!
Sincerely,
Iowalive A growing network of volunteer citizens and professionals for improving Iowa.
The City Will NOT Give LOST Info to Vice Chair of LOST Oversight Committee
The drones violate our Constitutional rights. Namely, Amendment IV “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
So it's okay that Block by OOPS I missed a Block store all
their stuff on city property without any permission at all whatsoever but some
common unconnected people come together and use public land for what it's supposed to be used for
and they are the 'bad people' who needs to get their junk off city land. ACLU agrees the city is in the wrong on the issue.
Occupy Cedar Rapids is officially on the map
The city called on the "League of Cities" to get advice this is how disconnected this city is from it's people.
HOW MAY WE USE OUR OPEN SPACE?
For the most part, you can use your newly acquired open space however
your community wants to use it, as long as you maintain it as open space.
*NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE THE ESTABLISHMENT OUT OF OFFICE!*
DO NOT VOTE FOR SCOTT OLSON, ANN POE, or MONICA VERNON
At-large candidate Ann Poe has raised the most among candidates — $20,465 from 111 contributors. Next is District 2 candidate Monica Vernon, the only incumbent in the three races, who has raised $18,600 from 166 contributors to go with $619 she had on hand from her last City Hall campaign. District 4 candidate Scott Olson has raised $17,870 from 97 contributors.
http://thegazette.com/2011/11/03/c-r-top-three-have-raised-57000/
Cedar Rapids self appointed enlightened have opened their wallets. Our elected representatives have already committed well over one hundred million in tax dollars to build their Downtown Shangri-La on the Cedar. They demand still more.
Not that these self chosen few would invest much of their money in such a project. They better than most know a fiscal rate of return in the negative when they see one. Their unprofitable desires are not their responsibility. That is what the mass of unwashed taxpayers are for.
To the link's credit, an objective story concerns the money invested in Cedar Rapids city council candidates. Opinions expressed in response below the article may prove a path to even greater enlightenment regarding decisions we must make November 8th.
(515) 281-4104 phone
(515) 281-4073 fax
Brian.Woline@iowa.go
www.iowa.gov/ethics
One billion dollars of public city, state federal money is being spent in post
disaster Cedar Rapids. As taxpayers and citizens, these funds
belong to the 99%
FOLLOW THE MONEY;
City of Cedar Rapids Mayor Corbett (Paid Management CRST
freight company
Affordable Housing Network/Four Oaks
(private "Third
Party Administrator" hired by City of Cedar Rapids to manage millions in
disaster relief funds)
a. Jim Ernst C.E.O.
b. Liz Mathis "PR" director (control of public
information about Four Oaks/Affordable Housing Network)
Former KWWL and KCRG anchor (Iowa Senate dist 18 candidate)
c. Mark Mathis, Liz Mathis spouse, "Board of Advisors" Four
Oaks/Affordable Housing
Network
Former KWWL manager
d. Scott Olson Four Oaks Board of Directors (Skogman Realty,
present candidate for Cedar Rapids City Council)
Scott Olsen founded OPN architects that was hired to
"design" the $176,000 per unit "rehab" of the
subsidized/low income Brown Apartments
e. Kraig Paulsen Four Oaks Board of Directors (R) Iowa Speaker of
the House, paid corporate attorney for CRST
f. Former City CR City Councilman Jerry Mc Grane, Four Oaks-
Affordable Housing Network Board
(while in office received "triple
subsidy" on his new home; a. down payment assistance from Four
Oaks-Affordable Housing Network, free lot from city gov,
"builders" subsidy from Skogman Builders (Scott
Olsen's employer) Scott Olsen is now a city council candidate
9. Emily Meyer, AHNI/Four Oaks Board member, Real Estate Developer
for Ryan Company, General Contractor for the $176,000 per unit
"rehab" of the Brown Apartments. Ryan Company is the
most active contractor in political patronage building projects flowing
out of Governor Culver's 3/4 Billion Dollar "I-Jobs" fund.
($140 million of I jobs funding is taking place in Cedar Rapids on "pet
projects" for the City and Chamber of Commerce.
g. Senator Jack Hatch of Des Moines -paid consultant for tax shelter strategy
and public funding for "The Brown Apartments" -the Four Oaks
project that was funded with
City, State, and Federal funds that paid $176,000 per unit to
rehab apartments in an existing structurally sound building.
Hatch then organized local, state and federal funding for
"post flood" housing that paid $190,000 per unit $19,000 million) for
Hatch Development Oakhill Brickstone Project)
10. Former City Council Member Dale Todd hired by Hatch to "make
things work with the City Government" for Hatch Development. Some
private "tax sheltered" funds are used
for the Oakhill Brickstones, however major
amounts of Federal, City and State public funds are included in the
financing. State funds for "Brown Apartments" Brickstones
flowed through State Of Iowa "Iowa Finance Authority" (Joe O'Hearn
Exectutive Director) O'Hearn has now been hired as the Lead Manager for
Flood Recovery funds in Cedar Rapids City Government. Even
though major public funding is used, Hatch Development, Senator Jack
Hatch, is the private developer/owner)
CRST former President/primary owner John Smith donated $1 million
dollars for Jim Ernst/Four Oaks-Affordable Housing Network to
launch the flood recovery housing initiative "Block by Block". Block
by Block then recieved $7 million dollars of mostly public tax funds (some
private foundation money also from the Cedar Rapids Community
Foundation.) Clint Twedt Ball and Courtney Ball, husband and brother in
law of Cedar Rapids Community Foundation acting Presdident Karla Twedt Ball
were then hired to manage Block by Block. The City Government has now
given away scores of lots and houses to Block by Block for $1 each.
Skogman Realty, operated by City Council Candidate Scott Olsen's boss
Kyle Skogman also has had flooded lots and houses purchased with public city
funds given to Skogman Realty for $1 each.
Jim Ernst/Four Oaks and Kyle Skogman have now formed a new entity for
"Rent to Own" housing.
The circle of control is held by a very tight group. Anyone that
challenges their "entitlement" is derided and attacked as you
observed on the air when former City Council member Dale Todd of Hatch
Development called in to the radio show. Dale Todd attacked us
as "Black Helicopter watchers. Dale Todd told an outright lie on the
air when he stated that Senator Jack Hatch "gave Michael Richards two
houses for $1." To make the real estate transfer legal, Richards
paid the $1. The actual facts are that Hatch was ready to pay to
demolish these two homes to clear the lots for his Oakhill Brickstone
subsidized housing. The post flood cost of demolition is $15,000 to $30,000
each. $30,000 to $60,000 total) Hatch paid Michael Richards $5 thousand
each to move them, saving Senator Hatch $20 thousand to $50,000 in
projected demolition costs. Richards has since invested
$100,000 in his private money to rehab these flooded houses.
Every night at 6:30 pm there will be a General Assembly at 1029 3rd Street SE!
to and other infrastructure in District #2, not downtown her relationship visa via True North
Debate at Washington High School
Children should be seen and not heard.
Shut up and pay up. I've got a hotel and convention center to bail out.
The "pots" are being cleared from street corners!
Where did these pots come from and who paid for them?
Click here to read the history behind the pots and how much the pots cost. The pots came from Block by Block and The Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation
Tom Peterson replied saying "I and other staff members been investigating the background information regarding the “history” of the flower pots as this was initiated a few years ago, before I was here. We’ve been trying to determine if there was any type of adopted ordinance or resolution that allowed the flower pots to be placed in the public right-of-way.
City staff had several questions regarding a number of concerns that needed to be addressed before further consideration could be given. As you may know, the city has allowed enhancement projects such as decorative trash containers, pedestrian benches and overhead street banners in the downtown area before as a means to enhance the appearance and promote the downtown area, as an example.
The paper trail seems to end there with no documentation of follow up or implied approval. So it is unclear where the Block by Block/Mathew 25 ministries received any indication that they could proceed with the installation of the flower pots which I believe are in the second year of display.
After review of the available information, it has been decided by staff to request the pots be removed for now and if the Block by Block group wants to continue this program, it would have to go through a thorough process of review and consideration at the staff level and at the policy-maker level for approval, if the City wishes to allow it in the future."
To: FEMA-ICC-EHP@dhs.gov
Why are we paying to have this building demolished JUST TO TURN AROUND AND BUILD NEW?
WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIXJ5yS8FJ8
While the city runs around making up tickets for citizens, their friends right next to Public Works (at the tree service owned by an INSURANCE LIABILITY
company) continues to FALL APART!!!!
If FEMA agrees to building brand new for this department there will be a great number of people who will advocate to end FEMA altogether. Some are already doing so.
THE COUNTRY IS BROKE STOP SPENDING OUR MONEY FOR THESE PET PROJECTS WE DON'T NEED!
The video shows the tree service and Public Works building right next to each other. The photo is the latest picture that I have taken of the tree service (that isn't in service at all, it has sat empty for MANY YEARS). While our city is out measuring people's grass they IGNORE this PROBLEM they have right next to them! PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE ANYMORE MONEY!
Thank you,
Does anyone know if this is "normal"?
I mean I have never seen a tractor used in this way!
Doesn't the city own tree removal equipment?
Click on the photo for compelling news about the Convention Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Downtown Cedar Rapids has abused flood recovery money to make things bigger and better than they were before the flood of 2008. It is the money pit. FEMA even going to help to restore the "toilet brush". According to the Gazette Editorial Board "no taxpayer money other than about $42,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency toward repairing lighting and electrical damage is involved."
FEMA is BROKE but the Cedar Rapids elites don't care
"Streetcar seats are awful narrow
Ain't we got fun?
They won't smash up our Pierce Arrow
We ain't got none
They've cut my wages
But my income tax will be so much smaller
When I'm laid off,
I'll be paid off Ain't we got fun?"
http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/a/aintwegotfun.shtml
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2011
Public Art Installation Begins This Week at Community Services Building
of Linn County
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — Installation of Linn County’s much-anticipated public art begins this week in the new Community Services Building of Linn County, 1240 26th Ave. Ct. SW in Cedar Rapids. This building is Linn County’s first new construction project to open following the 2008 flood. The building opened to the public last month.
http://www.linncounty.org/news_details.asp?Content_Id=3056&News_Id=1486
Our original website was hijacked but we aren't going to let that stop us from attaining our goal: EXPOSING THE TRUTH FOR ALL TO SEE! All of the country is broke but Cedar Rapids, Iowa is spending like there is no tomorrow! While studies have linked political corruption to FEMA funding. Our city leaders claim they don't misuse tax payer’s money and we aim to prove they do.
Starting over gives us the 'opportunity' to do something better. For those of you who know the political overtones in the word 'opportunity' and live in the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa the word 'opportunity'can take on several different meanings.
Here is a list:
The local match for flood protection
Forever Tax Parody (commercial)
Flood houses-who's getting them the answer will shock you!
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Wait and see if Mayor Pro Tem and Cedar Rapids Chamber Commerce Board of Directors member Monica Vernon will agree to the public input preference, or pulls a True North deal as she did with the Library Board.
By Lisa Kuzela, Vice Chair of LOST Oversight Committee
December 5, 2011
I am an avid researcher of the flood issues, as well as a vocal representative of the taxpayers (in general, as well as) on the committee, overseeing the LOST as I was appointed to do. I was also the co-founder and main organizer of the We Can Do Better CR campaign that defeated the 20-year LOST extension in which the elite of our city spent $450,000 to pass. Those who support the upcoming election for more LOST, do not want any information publicized that may hurt the upcoming vote. This includes not only the City, but most (if not all) the members of the LOST Oversight Committee.
The City knows I am not requesting this information for my own curiosity, and therefore, is doing everything they can to prevent me from getting it. - Lisa Kuzela
This is the email correspondence:
From: Lisa Kuzela [mailto:njdimaggio@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2011 2:20 PM
To: Westberg, Drew E.
Subject: LOST Aquisitions
Please email me the entire updated list of properties that were acquired with Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). I anticipate this list within a week. I am asking you for this information as a member of the LOST Oversight Committee as well as the Freedom of Information Act.
Thank you again,
Lisa Kuzela
______________________________________________________________________________
In a message dated 11/18/2011 4:58:01 P.M. Central Standard Time, D.Westberg@cedar-rapids.org writes:
Lisa,
The City has a policy in regards to information requests that require staff time to generate new documents. Per the policy, the first half hour is free with the subsequent hours billed at $20 per hour. For charges over $25, the City needs the fee up-front prior to beginning the work of creating the record.
ProSource estimates this request will take approximately six hours to complete. As there is no charge for the first 30 minutes, the request will cost $110 to complete.
If the LOST Oversight Committee requests this information at a future meeting, staff will work to provide that information for the Committee’s review at the subsequent meeting. However, such a request must come from the Committee during an open meeting.
If you would like to continue with this request, please provide the necessary payment to initiate the process of fulfilling this request.
City of Cedar Rapids
Special Assistant to the City Manager
3851 River Ridge Dr. NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Phone: (319) 286-5349
E-mail: d.westberg@cedar-rapids.org
From: NJDiMaggio@aol.com
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2011 09:25:46 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: LOST Aquisitions
To: D.Westberg@cedar-rapids.org
CC: gficken@bimmridder.com, jeffreypomeranz@msn.com,
a.ollinger@cedar-rapids.org, proberts@prosourcetech.com,
ron@roncorbett.com
Drew,
This is total b.s., and you know it! All you have to do is bring up the database and click on those properties that were purchased with LOST, cut and paste into a new spreadsheet. If it's "privacy" you are concerned about, I don't need the homeowners' names. This is all public information.
I expect this information ASAP, and if I don't receive it by next week before the holidays, I will go to my next step to get it - and without the ridiculous charge.
Lisa
Don't just talk about it. DO SOMETHING.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: NJDiMaggio@aol.com
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 03:09:27 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: LOST Aquisitions
To: D.Westberg@cedar-rapids.org
CC: gficken@bimmridder.com, jeffreypomeranz@msn.com,
a.ollinger@cedar-rapids.org, proberts@prosourcetech.com,
ron@roncorbett.com
Drew,
I am still waiting for the very simple information I requested. Please send me the list of properties acquired with LOST funds by Wednesday 12 noon.
Lisa Kuzela
Their bellies already tax dollars bloated, the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Downtown District eagerly anticipate a fat decade ahead. On March 6th, tell their CREST (Chamber Robbery by Eternal Sales Tax) hired hands no more trough time.