New CRB must codify our community’s role

I greatly appreciate the staff editorial from July 26 about the decision to repeal Cedar Rapids’ Citizen Review Board (CRB). I am deeply disappointed that all of the work OUR community put into crafting OUR review board will likely be lost at the next City Council meeting.

Though a majority of the Council voted to repeal the CRB at their July 22 meeting, EVERY Council member expressed pride in the CRB, with many repeating the statement, “you have nine champions” on Council.

In various ways, the Council promised that a vote to repeal the CRB will immediately be followed by a process to replace it. The sentiment was, “We did this once, we can do this again.” I trust the mayor when she said, “The intention is to create a new ordinance.”

As the Council moves forward on their promise, I strongly urge that they START the conversation with the components of the existing ordinance that remain allowable by law. For example, the mayor, in consultation with the City Council, currently appoints members to the CRB. This feature is vital to ensure the community’s needs and concerns are honored.

This leads to my one disagreement with the July 26 staff editorial. A Chief’s Advisory Board, which Iowa City plans to establish, is NOT an adequate replacement for Cedar Rapids. There must be an independent body, overseen by City Council — and therefore, ultimately, the voters — that will embody our collective vision for citizen input and accountability of our public institutions.

Rev. Jonathan Heifner

Cedar Rapids