Cedar Rapids looks dirty, unkept

I have been noticing several disturbing things coming into the city on Interstate 380 from the south. I don't see a “welcome” sign. I do see a lot of trash along the roadside and 4- to 5-foot high weeds along the road which never seem to be cut. Coming into the city from the north on Interstate 380 is a different story because Hiawatha apparently is taking care of roadside trash and weeds.

City government of Cedar Rapids, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves. I remember City Manager Jeff Pomeranz stating that people shouldn't have to be used to seeing over the growth along the roads. So, why are we having to become accustomed to this? It looks terrible. This is not what West Des Moines looks like, so why does Cedar Rapids have to look like this? What an impression we must have made on the dignitaries who recently visited from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We look like we have no pride. Our city looks dirty and unkept.

I can remember when people used to say what a beautiful city Cedar Rapids was. No more. Every year our city gets worse. Streets falling apart, trash all over the road sides and weeds everywhere.

Please share with me all the advantages of this new form of government; I am waiting to hear them.

Dianne Reininga

Cedar Rapids