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City Council has lost trust of its constituents

The Gazette Opinion Staff

May. 14, 2011 11:05 am

The City Council's reaction to the sales tax vote is something between a pout and outrage. They're baffled. What could have gone wrong? Why didn't they understand? We only lost by a couple of hundred votes!

The “yes” corporate half-million dollars lost to a “no” citizen fund of $3,500! That's the real margin of defeat. Arrogance, no alternative, take it or leave it, 20-year commitment, and anger over catering to Physicians' Clinic of Iowa's every wish came together to produce a citizens' revolt. When $500,000 can't overwhelm a paltry $3,500, it's clear you've lost the trust of your constituents.

Go back to the drawing board, listen and stop feeling sorry for yourselves.

Daniel Langfield

Cedar Rapids

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