Editorial says Cedar Rapids utility suspensions unfair and inconsistent
The Editorial condemns Cedar Rapids water and solid waste service suspensions for snowbirds and other owners who leave town. It notes three month shutdowns with written notices and liability for frozen pipes, argues the policy lacked city code backing, and questions broader fairness as nonparticipants pay more. It cites fuel use by crews and argues the practice favors some while harming others. It asks why such policy evolved and remained unchanged for years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rapids
Cedar
Iowa Delegation urged to back High-Speed Rail Investment Act
Iowa leaders urged support for federal High-Speed Rail Investment Act to fund an 80 20 cost split with states. The measure would let Amtrak issue up to 10 billion in bonds over 10 years to develop a MidWest rail link potentially linking Chicago Omaha and Iowa City as part of a broader Heartland corridor.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Amtrak
Senate
House
Iowa
Tom Harkin
Leonard Boswell
Chuck Grassley
Grassley
Chicago
Omaha
Iowa City
Jim Leach
Jim Nussle
The Gazette Letters Policy and Submission Details
The Gazette invites letters up to 300 words and requires name street address and daytime phone. Only name and hometown will publish with the letter. One letter per writer every 30 days. no anonymity. Address, fax, and email for submissions provided. include full contact details.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
the Gazette
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Health care reform debates push free market expansion
The piece surveys bipartisan interest in free market health care options including MSAs and refundable tax credits. It notes Senator Torricelli advocates broader MSA use to cut uninsured numbers, while Breaux and Frist propose Medicare reforms giving seniors plan choice and reduced bureaucracy. The writer, Tom Donelson, argues against imitation of European systems and urges bipartisan expansion of consumer choices.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Torricelli
D-N.j
Wall Street Journal
Steve Forbes
Torricelli
Congress
John Breaux
D.-La
Bill Frist
R-Tenn
Progress versus private yards in McLeodUSA fiber project
Local residents criticize McLeodUSA fiber installation for yard damage in Cedar Rapids. They describe crews from Florida and Arkansas, disrupted lawns, broken plants, and obstructed access while questioning the appearance and accessibility of underground boxes and the overall progress narrative.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McLeod USA
McLeod
Florida
Gazette
Bryce Nemitz
Arkansas
Clark McLeod
Cedar Rapids
McLeodusa
Nature Trail Compromise Sparks Paving Debate
The Aug 30 editorial on Cedar Valley Nature Trail proposes paving 3.25 miles from Hiawatha to County Home Road to satisfy cyclists and skaters while preserving the rest as a nature trail for walkers and joggers. The split audience favors different uses, prompting a debate over the trail’s status.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Valley
Hiawatha
County Home Road
Government restraint blamed for school shootings, letter writer argues
A reader credits Rev. Darran J. Whiting for blaming government policy rather than parenting for school children’s slaughter. The letter says government limits on parental discipline cause the tragedy and invites further guidance for compliant citizens.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Darran J. Whiting
Mr. Whiting
Rev. Whiting
Freedom of speech does not excuse attack on Sept 22 letter
A letter to the opinion page defends Rev. Larry R. Johnson as a man of God while denouncing an earlier writer's remarks about Balaam's donkey. The writer condemns personal attacks and notes that freedom of speech has limits when insults target religious figures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Balaam
Larry R. Johnson
Mr. Johnson
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mark Bowden
Jerry Elsen
Dave Storey
Scott Swenson
Peg Schmitz
Gazette Communications, Inc
Joe Hladky
Chuck Peters
Ken Slaughter
OWA Transportation Department
Midwest
United States
World
Canada
Tom Donelson
Marion
Donelson
Dean Warner
Gene Matthews
Iown City
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