C.R. council too eager to spend public’s money

Now the City Council wants to pay for appraisals of every home in the flood area buyout, in hopes that it can increase the buyout amount! Council member Chuck Wieneke also agrees that the city should pay thousands more than the city has to for dumping fees and the Sinclair razing. Wieneke sums it all up: “Why not? It's free money.” That's the problem with this council. They all believe in free money. Tax, then spend! It's never free money.

Getting back to the appraisals, let's do it. But first keep in mind that the Time Check area has a majority of homes that are well over a hundred years old. Many of these homes were rentals and others not taken care of. Selling homes in the area before the flood was not an easy task. (Yes, I sold real estate here for 15 years). The potential for a cash sale was small, unless discounted greatly.

So do the appraisals and have them appraised for a cash sale, before the flood. Also, residential appraisals do not cost $500. Most are around $300.

Tom Buresh

Cedar Rapids