Thanks to Mayor O’Donnell, City Council for diligence

On July 11 several of us from the Noelridge Neighborhood group attended the open City Council meeting to express our preference for family oriented use of city owned land rather than a casino. We arrived early and sat toward the front. Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell came right over to us, shook our hands, and welcomed us, thanking us for coming. Though we were unable to stay for the whole meeting, we were impressed by the long agenda of items to be discussed that day. It made us thankful for those on the City Council and our mayor who spend so many hours to discuss and act upon matters that are important to Cedar Rapids.

We appreciate the attention given to whether or not the Metro Economic Alliance is of enough benefit to warrant its cost, also questioning the validity of the immense changes proposed by the school board for a possible upcoming election. It is inconceivable to me that the idea of eliminating great middle schools such as McKinley, Taft, Harding, and others is even a possibility. It was encouraging that there was a joint meeting of the mayor, City Council, and school board where it might mean "going back to the drawing board."

So thank you, Mayor O'Donnell and City Council members, for standing up for what is most helpful for Cedar Rapids and keeping a watchful eye on a future that will continue to make us proud and prosperous!

Coral Dye

Cedar Rapids