Kramers’ land is for them, not C.R.

Rick Smith's Oct. 26 article “Fire resistant” illuminates the plight of a local couple attempting to hang on to the land on which they not only reside but also operate a business after a portion of it was identified as the “preferred” building site for a new fire station.

I am, first of all, surprised that the shortlist by the city would have included the Kramers' acres since they already had land “taken” for roadway improvements. With all the national attention to and bad press about the use of eminent domain as a mechanism used by government to acquire property from unwilling owners for a higher purpose, it would appear the Kramers were the path of least resistance since the alternative parcel was held by presumably well-moneyed out-of-town interests that have the resources to extract a much higher price for the equivalent amount of land.

The fire chief is on the record as saying he won't take any more trees than necessary. Sorry, chief, by the time the architects get done with the 2-acre site plan, the building and required parking and the buffer for same will not leave much room for trees. And so it is, fatter bank account aside, the Kramers for as long as they choose to live on Rogers Road will be reminded by sirens of the deal they didn't want to do every time a 911 call is routed to the proposed station. I don't blame the Kramers for trying to preserve what they have!

Lora B. Summerwill

Cedar Rapids