C.R., Iowa leaders could learn from Texas

Helen and I had all we could take of the Cedar Rapids City Council and the foolish ways they were spending our hard-earned tax dollars, so on Aug. 1 we moved to Spring, Texas.

Everything down here is not perfect, but at least the citizens of Houston were allowed to vote on the red light cameras. It failed, so the cameras will be taken down.

Cedar Rapids does not have any true leaders. They do not know how to make decisions without first hiring high-priced consultants.

The other problem is that the utility rates are out of sight, and now Alliant Energy is seeking a 13 percent rate increase.

I am over 65 and a veteran, so I am granted two exemptions on my property tax bill, which is slightly less than my property tax in Iowa. However, the assessed value of the house we sold in Cedar Rapids was increased $10,000. which means taxes on that property will have a sizable increase.

My yearly inspection and car tag fees are one-half of what they were in Iowa.

Finally, Texas does not have a state income tax, which saves me about $1,900 a year. The sales tax rate in Montgomery County, where we reside, is 6.25 percent, while the sales tax in Linn County is 7 percent.

We have many good friends in Cedar Rapids and feel sorry that they are stuck is such a backward environment.

Helen and Richard Linden

Spring, Texas