Dale Todd for Cedar Rapids City Council: Integrity and the ability to make tough decisions

There was no playbook for an event like last year’s derecho, but our City Council and staff looked to the lessons we learned from past disasters and got right to work addressing this one. Public works crews went to the city’s well fields to secure and protect our water and sewer systems. Search and rescue teams visited countless buildings. Waste and debris collection kicked into high gear. We all worked together, and we survived with no loss of life in Cedar Rapids.

In our ongoing recovery, we’ve already made repairs and improvements to public amenities like our ice arena and Veterans Memorial Stadium. Roads that have been under construction are now opening. Our new flood-control system has come online in parts of our city, providing peace of mind to businesses and citizens in flood zones.

Yet there still is much to do. We’re still working to shore up the safety nets for people who are living in poverty or with mental illness. Our slow COVID recovery continues to challenge us with labor shortages that impact businesses and supply-chain delays that impact the marketplace.

As mayor pro tem and chairman of the Public Safety and Youth Services Committee, my priority has always been to make sure that all people feel safe as they live, work and prosper in our community.

I’ve worked diligently in my years on City Council to develop programs that address gun violence through innovative social services, jobs programs and recreation opportunities. I’ve pioneered the development of community assets like Cedar Lake and our parks and trails. When local restaurants needed flexible options for serving customers outside because of COVID, I helped make it happen.

Experience, leadership, integrity and the ability to make tough decisions are the traits I bring every day to the City Council. I ask for your support this November so we can continue the citywide progress we are making.

Dale Todd is a candidate for Cedar Rapids City Council.