Don’t turn around and build in the flood zone

The city purchased hundreds of properties inundated by the 2008 flood and demolished the buildings there on. These buildings were deemed to be beyond repair due to the flood damage.

Now, 82 of those lots are being made available for the construction of new homes. And, according to The Gazette article (“82 more lots available for new homes,” April 26), they are part of a program “which uses federal disaster funds to help build new homes with attractive incentives to both builders and

buyers.”

Here's how I see it: Many homes were flooded. The city bought them and tore them down. Now the city and the federal government are selling the lots and financially encouraging people to build homes on some of the very same lots that were flooded. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?

It could be concluded that the city enjoyed the entire process so much that they want to be sure they can do it again. That's fine with me, but only if I can opt out of having even one penny of my tax dollars supporting this program.

Many of the people who create or approve such programs are elected by we the people. Remember that in 2012.

Keith Williams

Cedar Rapids