Story Created:
Jul 29, 2008 at 9:47 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 30, 2008 at 10:28 AM CST
CEDAR RAPIDS - Ask and you shall receive. The call went out for a little input and the buildings were barely big enough to hold the audience.
"I think it's great that people care enough to learn about what's going on in the city," said one person at the forum.
After three meetings, the city had heard from hundreds of people.
"Well it's a good idea, but I don't know if they're going to listen," said a flood victim.
Not all of the people who showed up were flood victims.
"I'm really concerned about the future of the city," said a person that wasn't directly affected by the flood.
While those with flooded homes were the most affected by the flood, everyone will be affected with how the city decides to rebuild.
This is their chance to make sure they're not missing anything.
"Did we miss something, do we need to add something to the plan, do we need to check some of the options, how we're collecting data? Have we accessed all the resources? We're going to use that to take it to the next step," said Community Development Director Christine Butterfield.
The city is going to take this feedback and put it into a new report, that will again be up for public feedback on just where the city is headed. That will happen on September 9th.
If you missed the feedback sessions, you can still send in your input by going to the website below:
http://www.cedar-rapids.org/development/riverplan.aspEmail Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com
; "Click for Pinpoint Doppler Radar")
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.
Thursday, Jul 31 at 3:16 PM RE Just a Suggestion wrote ...
They wont because that makes too much sense. Great idea tho!
Thursday, Jul 31 at 9:38 AM hmmmmmm....... wrote ...
Sure havent heard from our So Called Mayor have we? Maybe she is getting the hint from all the remarks to just SHUT UP??!!
Thursday, Jul 31 at 9:18 AM grams wrote ...
I am so sick of this elected City so called government. When I see Ms Halloran sleeping at the meetings which are very important to the people attending and listening. Seems she should be interested enough to stay awake. I think the people of CR in the flooded areas being led around Robin Hoods barn. They do not really learn anything or even come close to getting answers. Lets get rid of the Council Government and get some real people on the job who aren't getting paid.
Thursday, Jul 31 at 9:11 AM Robert wrote ...
Some city workers have been very busy and helpful with cleaning up everyone's belongings. Thanks! But what about the city and state government? My wife, daughter and I have been flooded out of our home and have not had any help with the city or state with any type of assistance in rebuilding our home. What is the city and state going to do to help those who can't live in their homes now?
Thursday, Jul 31 at 8:50 AM Just a Suggestion wrote ...
Why don't ALL the City & County offices just relocate to Westdale Mall permanently? Wouldn't it make more sense to have all the offices centrally located for easier access to citizens needing their services? The city of Cedar Rapids & Linn County can purchase the mall, use one whole floor for the offices and lease the other floor for businesses & food court. No more threat of flooding and having to shut down government offices. Comments???
Thursday, Jul 31 at 2:33 AM People quit complaining... wrote ...
The city council is trying to work through this entire situation. All the negative attacks do no help. Homeowners need to responsible for themselves just as the business owners need to be. Look at the Westside Maidrite as an example. He did it all by himself and I never saw him complaining on the news or in the paper. Didn't people understand why homes in the flood plain were cheaper to purchase than homes outside of the area ?
Thursday, Jul 31 at 1:44 AM Anonymous wrote ...
A new report from the C.R. City council leaders. "We are screwed.". Several council memebers were reported to have said that the matter needed more informative reports and observations to obtain a full perspective of the matter. A new website will be setup and a full investigation will be enacted to show the full devastation. Stay tuned.
Thursday, Jul 31 at 12:28 AM bill wrote ...
well if any thing that can be learned from this flood is feedback bull sessions do not work when city council can not or will not listen
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 10:15 PM Kristine wrote ...
Our city leadership is pitiful! They ask for feedback, yet never implement the community suggestions. Why is it that Iowa City can fare so much better with similar decisions? I'm a lifer here, but very disappointed in trying to make a difference in the community because you are shot down at every turn. The stupid newspaper connected to this stupid news station only reports on news of certain businesses and ignores others that try to prosper here. Help these poor homeowners!
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 9:30 PM City government a joke wrote ...
They care only about profiting from this flood. Just look, they are the only ones to take away the metals out by the curb, they have tried hauling cars away, basically stealing them, to recycle and leaving owners wondering where their cars have went. They should move city hall and alot of those offices to Westdale mall. Perfect place, already built, just remodel it instead of building from ground up and costing millions more. This citys leadership sucks badly and we need to do something.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 7:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I hope that the city listens with their eyes wide open because I think that is what we are going to get. More of the same. We are yesterday's news. I am a flood victim who thinks that this city only cares about business. I don't think they have the guts to really face the citizens. I saw the mayor hugging her legs behind a couple other city officials at one of the neighborhood meetings. They preach family and family values while families sit homeless and are ripped apart. Way to go CR.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 5:47 PM Mays Island? wrote ...
I hope they are still not planning on putting city government back on Mays Island. That is just stupid beyond belief. Let's put own government back in the middle of the flooded river. Wake up things have to change for everyone including our city officials.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 4:05 PM pak wrote ...
The rest of the trash needs picked up. Our leadership needs to be just that and get on the ball. Our victims need more help than they have received - locally - and without raising everyone else's taxes. They have not received near enough - not even close. It's not near enough. FEMA amounts don't really cover what they are for. People have hundreds of work hrs. left. The empty homes look horrible. We need more.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 2:55 PM Jane wrote ...
I attended last night's session at Wash HS. Bad format choice City Council. 31 easels worth of info people have to stand in line to read? Certainly you can do better. My home was unaffected by the flooding. However I still felt compelled to attend, just so I could hear what was on the minds of flood affected residents, and the council's responses. Apparently that wasn't the council's objective. Future development & city vitality? Don't get ahead of yourselves city council...
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 2:12 PM DKH wrote ...
I think that the biggest problem CR has is its leadership. Who's in charge? Jim Prosser or the city council. On the televised forum after the flood, Kay Halloran kept looking at fellow council member Brian Fagan for answers. Frankly, I don't think that Holloran has a clue!! CR needs a very decisive leader at this fragile time. From what I can see Brian Fagan would do the best job. He also seems to have "people skills" --which both Hollaran and Prosser lack!!
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 1:20 PM Lisa wrote ...
John - my husband works for the City of CR and for the first month after the flood I hardly saw him at all. The city stepped up immediately and had employees working 16 hour shifts to clean up. They have worked their tails off trying to help as much as they can. Give C.R. a break! We've never been through something like this before and frankly, I think our city is doing a great job!
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 1:01 PM Neal wrote ...
Palo, can we borrow your City Council? It seems to me that Palo is moving forward. We drove through Palo and it appears that plucky little town is getting on with the job. CR Leaders on the other hand are shamefully dragging their feet! Look at the folks in Chelsea who stayed in their town. They rebuilt many times but still they took it in stride. It's not the end of the world for most of us. Let us who were flooded get on with it!!!! BTW, I felt the "Open House" was a joke. Just showing off.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 12:22 PM Anonymous on NW side wrote ...
For those of us not in the flood zone, I cringe at the thought of our property taxes possibly going up again to cover the rebuilding of the city. Our old home was in the flood zone, and we built elsewhere in '02. Taxes increase yearly; we got a new govt., taxes went up. With gas prices, soaring food costs, etc., we will become a society of homeless people. I think we are trying to contribute daily (i.e. donating our time, money, furniture and clothing for the victims), but who will care for us?
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 12:07 PM Kelly wrote ...
I agree with Bill - the same thing happened with the "Meet the City Council" open forums. Questions were asked about the Green Square Meals controversy and the mayor and her council avoided answering them and didn't take the feedback that was provided. What is the use of having the open houses if the city council isn't going to listen to what the people are saying???
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 11:18 AM John wrote ...
The ONLY help flood victims have received has come from the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, churches and the Federal Government. As far as I can see, the state of Iowa and Cedar Rapids has done NOTHING for these people except making it harder to get to their homes and rebuild. Thanks for nothing, city and state leaders.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 9:33 AM Bill wrote ...
Forgive me if I sound negative about these feedback sessions. Think back a year ago when the city was having the open house sessions and getting feedback about the Twin Pines golf course remodeling. Two open houses were held and considerable feedback was obtained. A task force was appointed and developed several options which were presented to the city concil. Nothing further was ever done with Twin Pines. Are these feedback sessions another one of Jim Prosser's dog and pony shows? I wonder.
Wednesday, Jul 30 at 7:59 AM terry wrote ...
It is imperative the elected officials go out and listen to the people about the flood issues but it is also imperative that we build this city strong and will be a force in luring new business here in the future that will bring good paying jobs for the residents .Lets help these officials with some sound advice on the rebuilding of Cedar Rapids and making it into the greatest city in Iowa
Add a comment
Most Popular