C.R. leaders’ actions undermine homeowners

I would like to inform all homeowners in Cedar Rapids of how your city leaders are spending your tax dollars.

They have spent tens if not hundreds of millions buying out flooded properties and then millions more of your tax dollars to have many of those homes demolished. After the lots were leveled and prepared, the City Council awarded hundreds of the lots to developers and non-profits, who in some cases were friends and supporters of some council members.

If that wasn't disturbing enough, the Council is now using $12 million more of your federal dollars to subsidize the construction of new homes on the very lots where homes were flooded in 2008. The council plans on subsidizing up to 300 new homes in this way with the taxpayers paying up to $40,000 per house subsidy plus a free lot.

This council ignored the recommendations of a paid consultant and plans are under way to subsidize anyway.

What many of you may not know is that by subsidizing new homes they are actually lowering the value of your home that you worked hard and paid for without anyone's help. Who would buy your unsubsidized home when the city is actually in competition with its own taxpayers?

I know many of you thought this was to be unused green space but that is not the case.

Frank King

Cedar Rapids