C.R. can’t have it all in flood protection

For two years, the residents of Cedar Rapids have discussed building flood protection. The city decided on a course of action, or preferred course. The Army Corps of Engineers backed only the east side, and this city has some hard choices to make.

The May 3 local-option sales tax vote failed - it was too big, too long, too vague, and the city lacked the confidence in their leaders. It's time to get creative. Going off the city's preferred option, this city will gain hundreds of acres of green space and have beautiful and functional parks.

Let's consider selling non-functional parks. If the city broke Ellis Park up, and sold it in phases, millions could be raised. The city would lose a beautiful park, but gain one at the same time. A golf course would have to be sacrificed, but it might be time we start sacrificing.

The city also should reconsider selling the strip of Twin Pines along Edgewood.

It's time this city gets serious. We can't have it all. Many cities in the United States have dealt with disasters the last couple of years and we can't expect the federal government to save us all. It's time we did something ourselves.

Sell some city-owned land. Retry the sales tax specifically for flood protection for a term of no more than five years. We can do this. If we don't get greedy, we might not even have to get on our knees and grovel to Washington.

Brad Fisher

Marion