Aerial of flooded railroad tracks looking southeast towards Interstate 380 and downtown Cedar Rapids from the air on Thursday, June 12, 2008. (Perry Walton/P&N Air)
Flood Adviser: Don't Wait For Government
By Beth Malicki, Anchor/Reporter
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Aug 7, 2008 at 6:53 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 7, 2008 at 6:56 PM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS - Don't wait for the city or the federal government. Galvanize and tell leaders what you need. That's what the city's flood adviser told members of the media. David Roberts, Recovery Adviser to Cedar Rapids, spoke at an editorial meeting at The Gazette on Thursday.
Roberts has seen disasters around the world and he's in Cedar Rapids as a loaned executive. He's attending all flood related meetings, listening to the concerns of the community and then advising city leaders on next steps.
He says people in flooded neighborhoods need to present a united front. They have to be specific and in agreement about what they need and then clearly present those needs to the city council. He complimented the Time Check and Czech Village neighborhoods for what they've done.
Roberts also recommends forming an Economic Planning Redevelopment Corporation. The goal of the corporation would be to bring together big companies and local government to invest in the community. But a vital part of the next phase of rebuilding starts with sharing information.
"Communication Communication Communication. So the people who were impacted have a clear vision of what's going to happen in 30, 60, 90 days out and what's their role in those decisions," said Roberts.
Roberts also addressed why he thinks the federal government hasn't responded with the same urgency and dollars as after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast. He said the federal government learned it might have given those areas too much money too soon and they want a good plan in place to use resources effectively. That's why Iowa needs to have a strong recovery plan.
KCRG-TV9's Position on Commenting |
User Agreement
The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KCRG-TV9. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.
Friday, Aug 8 at 2:16 PM Libertarian Larry wrote ...
"Don't wait for the government" is excellent advice. Government that can give you everything you want can also take it all away. Is that what you really want? Do what you can for yourself (ethically, of course). Gov't won't restore us to our pre-flood condition any more than Social Security will make us rich. We must work, save, invest, and do the best we can with what we have. Be the ant, not the grasshopper. Remember: everything government gives you was taken away from someone else.
Friday, Aug 8 at 1:49 PM Kara wrote ...
I agree, those of us who did not lose anything in the flood should not complain about a few extra tax dollars. Be thankful that you have a house to go home to!!!!!!! I have seen so much pain and suffering already- stop making it worse for the flood victims.
Friday, Aug 8 at 12:03 PM Tina Fleischacker wrote ...
I paid my mortgage too, paid all my taxes as well including my flood insurance. Portions of flood insurance monies we pay, go to FEMA. All u whiners about your tax dollars, get over it.
Friday, Aug 8 at 10:09 AM don't wait wrote ...
you should all realize fema is a federal government agency! nobody should wait for the feds, they NEVER get anything done quickly! learn from katrina they say! well do it! the people of new orleans waited, and got crapped on! is that what you want? get out and find a new home, let the banks have the old trash, and get back to living, instead of sitting in a motel room, spending tax payers hard earned money, and help yourselves! it's time for the feds to stop all fema money for everyone!get real!
Friday, Aug 8 at 10:05 AM i'm sorry wrote ...
i'm sorry you lost everything! now comes the time to take responsibility for your families! either find a home, or stay in a shelter! the motels are paid for by my taxes! maybe you'd like to pay my mortgage payments! wake up people, your finding a home is your responsibility, not mine! i don't earn 25 grand a year, i don't get handouts, and i darn sure don't cry because i am too lazy to find a place to live! all fema is is another form of welfare, and i hear people calling others trailer trash!
Friday, Aug 8 at 9:45 AM just wait! wrote ...
ok, all you fools waiting for fema, when winter comes, and your butts are freezing, you'll be saying gee, i wish i would have listened! well, you got the thousands from fema,(my taxes), and sat waiting for more hand-outs! now you want to know when are they gonna help! the answer is fema already has! try losing everything to a fire! fema don't help, red cross gives ya 3 days motel! that's it! quit whining, and get on with your lives! i'm sorry you lost it all, but my tax money didn't help me!
Friday, Aug 8 at 8:26 AM told ya so wrote ...
well, i've been posting for some time now, about the flood help. the federal government isn't going to help you any more than they already have! for christ sake people, if they didn't give you any handouts at all, you'd already be in a new home, working a new job, and your life would already be back to close to normal! but instead, you sit and wait! fema and red cross shouldn't have started, cause you guys got your first handout, and you just sit and wait for more! cedar rapids a welfare town!!
Thursday, Aug 7 at 10:25 PM So wrote ...
Who's paying for this 'loaned executive' to tell flood victims to not wait for government? While I don't at all disagree with him and I feel that he's expressed the sentiment that has been heard, I hope the government isn't paying him to have him tell people this...That would be silly.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 10:13 PM its UP to US, not city council.. wrote ...
This really is OUR responsibility, not the govt's. yes, the govt does need to do some things, like develop a time table and move quickly in letting us know what is going to happen and when so that we can impliment our own recovery plan and strategy, but in the end, the responsibility lies with each of us. Applying for aid is fine, but too many people are going to expect the govt to bail them out completely, its the only plan they have, then will scream if govt dont give them everything.
Thursday, Aug 7 at 7:21 PM Aaron Poisel wrote ...
Ah yes. The sooner the better. Recency of any disaster often consumes immediate and swift attention. Even if it appears to leave victims feeling bereft of aid due to earlier disasters. I promptly, for obvious reasons, applied for aid. I, though, understood and had a cut out plan of what I needed and where I was headed. Others are still unsure. Much due in part of the uncertainty of other entities around them and their agendas. Supervenience can often be an inconvenience for those still suffering
Add a comment
Most Popular