Put agendas aside,reconsider Westdale

I will never forget the feelings I had to fight back, standing knee deep in the receding water of the Cedar River in the basement of the Linn County Annex building at 2 a.m. on Father's Day, June 15, 2008. I remember watching all the enormous books of our recorded history float by me as I was trying to get the power back up and waiting for a generator.

My family was at home sleeping and I would not see them for two days. Days meshed together that summer as countless homeowners asked me endlessly after we got their power back on: What do we do next?

Many burned up their savings, many lost their homes, many lost their jobs and some lost all.

Fast forward to today and we have half-built neighborhoods, lost businesses, lost jobs, broken spirits and families. Tax revenues have gone south with the economy while we base our decisions on handouts from Washington.

So to the city, the county and Cedar Rapids school district: We are broke and getting broker. Quit eying secluded self-serving administration buildings that are only accessible by one street during high water. Politicians and board members, please back up and refocus on consolidation, parking, accessibility, supporting businesses, revitalization, and job creation.

Put your own agendas aside and go re-examine Westdale Mall.

Dan Oakley

Cedar Rapids