Fagan will finish job he started

There's been a lot of concern about the cost of consultants the city of Cedar Rapids has used since the flood. No one likes to see money wasted, but I think it may be helpful for people if they look at these consultant fees as an investment, rather then a hard cost.

FEMA originally told the city that the library was damaged much less than 50 percent, significantly reducing the amount of relief we were eligible to receive. The city paid a consultant to assess the situation. After the consultant did his job and spoke with FEMA, it was agreed that the library was actually damaged well over 50 percent. This may have cost the city thousands, but it made the city millions. Seems like a pretty good return on investment to me.

It's easy for people (including some candidates for mayor) to sit back and be armchair quarterbacks. I think the current council has done a good job in a very difficult situation this last year. It's easy to keep your hands clean if you aren't doing anything. If you are in the trenches after a disaster, you're going to get a little dirty.

Let's not change horses in the middle of this stream. Let's elect Brian Fagan mayor - so he can keep his sleeves rolled up and finish the job he's started.

Felicia Wyrick

Cedar Rapids