Answers: City Issues

What are the issues you think are the most important in your city's city council race?

FROM OUR INBOX

Financial accountability and prioritization beyond downtown and NewBo projects. Taxpaying residents are tired of seeing their taxes and franchise fees go up with all the money funneled to private development downtown to developers who seem to get a minimum standard 10 year tax break from the city council. The city needs to switch gears and focus on updating decades-long neglected infrastructure needs outside these special interest areas. Stop prioritizing new development areas with the Paving For Progress program, and focus on existing residential streets suffering from years of neglect from every city council for the last 40+ years.

Kevin C.

Cedar Rapids

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I would like to hear if any of the city council candidates are supporting a more affordable housing initiative. I volunteer with two non-profits in Linn County whose primary goals are to support our homeless and nearly homeless within Linn County.

All the agencies that support our works are constantly telling us there isn't enough affordable housing. I'm specifically asking about renting and not buying.

Cheryl A.

Cedar Rapids

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FROM FACEBOOK

Joe S.: Competent, forward thinking leaders who understand current realities and are proactive on future growth trends. Officials who aren't hostile to people moving to our community, who are welcoming and don't consider others 'riffraff”. Intelligent, compassionate, independent folks who understand that everyone in our community has worth and add value to our shared experience.