Mayor makes a strong case

I attended the second State of the City address by Mayor Ron Corbett (March 2). My take away from the mayor's speech is our need to get behind continuing the local-option sales tax for flood control measures and city streets in the upcoming May election. Mayor Corbett eloquently and simply made the case that flood protection on both sides of the Cedar is compelling from a city planning and development standpoint. Because of the five- to seven-year process for federal funding under the Water Resources Development Act, failing to do so will result in delay of the necessary rebuilding of the west side of our community from the flood of 2008. If we do not show our own commitment to the future of our community, how can we expect the federal government and the rest of the state to do so?

We would all like to have more details when tax and spending measures of this magnitude are decided, but it is unlikely there will be one fact or the other that makes the final decision. Mayor Corbett was wise to recognize this. Ultimately, the question is “what do we believe about our community and the role of government in protecting the lives and property of its citizens.” I congratulate the mayor and our city council for their leadership and urge the people of Cedar Rapids and Linn County to vote for the sales tax extension on May 3.

Matthew J. Brandes

Cedar Rapids