Money coming in, but no improvements made

For Cedar Rapids being the second largest city in Iowa, my family and I just got back from a four-day vacation just three hours away. Why? Because there is not one thing to do here! I'm sure our neighboring state appreciated the dollars we spent there. On the way home, our family was discussing why there is nothing to do here and why our city is so far behind the times.

We have traffic cameras collecting more than $1,000 each day. Now kids, our leaders who encourage “buy local” sent thousands of dollars to an out-of-state company for the camera service!

As my children gasp, we are getting closer to Cedar Rapids. Ahhhhh, the smell of dilapidated houses from the 2008 flood, the artful thug-related paintings, the eye-catching brush that welcomes us to the Corridor - we're home kids!

Then, I read our local newspaper of Aug. 13. Our fine leaders again hire another contractor, out of Bay City, Mich. (not buy local), to tear down flood-damaged homes. How many water parks and attractions could be built on our green space with that kind of revenue coming in?

Then, my 4-year-old granddaughter chimes in and says, “Where is all that money?” Sweetness, you just asked the question of the day.

Cathy Henry

Cedar Rapids