Culver bids farewell to Cedar Rapids

In an emotional farewell, Gov. Chet Culver praised Cedar Rapidians for their unflagging work to restore their city after the historic flood of 2008 and thanked them for their support.

“It's the people of Cedar Rapids who have rallied to bring this community back,” he said during a stop in Jan. 6 in Cedar Rapids where his parents and grandparents made their homes.

Culver, who lost his bid for a second term, said he is urging the incoming administration of Republican Terry Branstad to complete the recovery of Cedar Rapids and other communities that were devastated by the floods that have been called the fourth worst natural disaster in United States history.

“We need to put politics aside” Culver said, who earlier had met with supporters at the Hamburg Inn in Iowa City. “The election is over. We've got to get back to governing and getting the people's business done. Flood recovery is not a political issue.”

Culver said he doesn't know what the future holds for him, but promised to return to Cedar Rapids when he has time to “just hang out.”

Culver hinted that he'll land in a new role as an advocate for renewable energy, something that was a priority during his four years in office.

“I hoped to stay involved, especially in the area of renewable energy,” he said at The Blue Strawberry Coffee Co. He hopes to decide in the next month where he “can best make a difference … to wean this country off imported oil” that costs the nation $1 billion a day.

“In Iowa, we've shown we can grow this energy at home.” he said.

Culver said he bought a used pick-up truck to help his move his wife, Mari, and their children, John and Claire, from Terrace Hill to their home in West Des Moines. He's promised to coach John's fourth-grade football team next fall, and in his waning days in office has found time to attend Claire's basketball practices.

He praised local leaders who have stepped up to lead the recovery efforts and said the community will be well-represented by Democratic elected officials at the local, state and federal level.

“Although some of us lost, there are a lot of people who share our passion,” he said.