City Council District 3: Jerry McGrane

By Jerry McGrane

I would like to let you know a little bit more about me - and my passion and commitment to the citizens of Cedar Rapids.

I believe my hands-on style and personal experience as the only city council member to lose a home to the flood puts me in a unique position. I have firsthand knowledge of how the flooded homeowners and renters who lost all feel.

If you haven't been there, you cannot know the heartache of seeing your life hauled away to the dump. I have been there. I have been the voice of flood victims as I served on the city council, and they still need that voice.

I have become an expert in dealing with the state and federal government programs of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and Jumpstart. I have led many people through this maze, and many still need help.

As shared by Gov. Chet Culver and Gen. Ron Dardis at a Nov. 10 news conference in Cedar Rapids, I was instrumental in ensuring that up to $25,000 in Jumpstart down-payment assistance provided to flood victims will be exempt from repayment.

Now that I have helped the homeowners, I want to be able to help those who owned businesses and worked from home. They are the forgotten ones who don't seem to qualify for any of the flood relief programs available.

For the last 18 years, I have lived in the Oak Hill-Jackson neighborhood. I have worked hard to get a neighborhood development plan together that was accepted by the residents and adopted by the city in its long-range plan.

I was on the founding board of Weed & Seed. Weeding: helping the police improve safety and livability; and seeding: improving and increasing affordable housing stock.

With grant funding from Alliant Energy and the State of Iowa, I helped create the weatherization program for core neighborhoods.

I also have worked with the city, business owners and citizens to develop the Third Street Streetscape plan.

Even before I was elected to serve on the city council, I was working with the city and state to purchase empty lots in Oak Hill-Jackson to provide the opportunity for affordable infill housing. To date, approximately 26 homes have been built by Skogman Construction and other developers.

I served on the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation's Communities in Partnership board. Money was granted to cities and towns in Linn County for multiple community needs, including cultural, educational and entertainment projects.

I firmly believe in getting out and talking to the people - to you - person to person. It is the best way to understand your needs.

Knowledge comes in many different forms. One of the best is hands-on experience. I have the experience to meet the real needs of our community.

I truly appreciate the endorsement and support of The Gazette, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Homebuilders Association and organized labor as well as everyone who made it to the polls on Nov. 3.

I would appreciate your support in the runoff election on Dec. 1.

Jerry McGrane, retired and a longtime neighborhood activist, is seeking re-election to the District 3 city council seat in Cedar Rapids.