By rushing, C.R. could miss fund opportunities

My family was greatly impacted by the flood of 2008. We ended up tearing down our existing home and putting up a new one. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us during that time. It took us more time than we thought it should to work our way through the process. However, looking back, we realize that all the things required of us were put in place to protect us and the taxpayers funding the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.

Our current mayor ran his election campaign on getting things done quickly. He feels it is taking too long for Cedar Rapids to get the help we need. I remember all the news conferences with FEMA officials and representatives from other cities, who went through the same kind of flooding, say that it would take 10 years or more. The kind of recovery and rebuilding we need cannot and should not happen quickly. Let FEMA do its job and let the city be patient.

It took eight months for my family to return to our home. We pushed hard to make it happen quickly and we missed out on some things that would have helped us in the long run. I still feel a great sadness going through Time Check and seeing all the empty lots where families once lived. I would be even sadder if the city pushed too hard and missed out on opportunities for funding flood protection other than a local-option sales tax.

Dana Day

Cedar Rapids