Letter from city was insensitive, untimely

We were flooded on June 29. There have been a lot of different issues regarding insurance and cleanup. The most discouraging and frustrating has involved the disposal of damaged items.

After some confusion, we were told to put it at the curb and it would be picked up.

On July 19, we received a letter from Nuisance Abatement Officer Dan Clark, along with pictures of our flood-damaged material.

It was an official notice informing us 'to clean up the garbage, household furniture ...

and/or other materials (on our property) and properly prepare it for your next weekly collection” or be subject to fines or fees.

Really? Are all flood victims subject to this kind of abuse and insult? In 2008 did everyone who was flooded also receive these letters?

Is this department so unaware of what happens in this city? Do city departments not talk to each other?

The day after the flood, city employees were at our neighbors citing them for unsightly weeds. We thought that was just a fluke, but perhaps it is because we live in Wellington Heights.

Instead of being viewed as hardworking and decent citizens, we seem to be constantly labeled as the worst possible element of the city.

We deserve your support, not a knee-jerk reaction which is uncalled-for and insensitive.

Randy Nading

Cedar Rapids