Never stopped working for C.R.

Having served on the Flood Recovery Committee since its inception in 2008, I've been working with the Army Corps of Engineers and a large number of businesses and industries. I've been working with the federal and state government to bring in assistance and programs to alleviate flooding and continue to work on that today.

I have worked to rebuild neighborhoods and housing to provide homes for workers throughout Cedar Rapids.

I've been instrumental in developing recovery programs, many of which are disaster recovery programs that have been plugged into HUD's tool kit and are now being used for other disaster-stricken communities across the country.

I initiated the Iowa State University - Cedar Rapids Partnership program, which provides local agricultural industries with employment opportunities, training programs and also teaches new and innovative methods of doing production. This will be huge, not only now, but long into the future.

I've been highly supportive of multiple economic programs which market Cedar Rapids and the surrounding areas, providing more consistency and greater responses to projects that are being developed. I'm a strong proponent of Paving for Progress.

I've had to make tough decisions such as purchasing the hotel, gambling, building the convention center, the library, and the redevelopment of Westdale Mall. Southwest Cedar Rapids continues to be the fastest growing area in Cedar Rapids.

' Justin Shields is a candidate for Cedar Rapids City Council, District 5