Stop raising taxes on Cedar Rapids residents

I had a feeling that the proposed city budget was going to involve a request for more money from the working people of Cedar Rapids. Hasn't our city manager heard that the economy is in a slump? People's wages have been frozen for several years? Those on Social Security haven't gotten raises for years? Medicine, food, gas and so on are costing more? Guess he doesn't have to worry about this, with the pay he receives.

Then he says to spend less on the streets and bridges and spend more money on public buildings and facilities plus the gateways to the city. It's time we spent money on getting more of our streets fixed up.

Adding an assistant city manager? If Jeff Pomeranz can't handle the job, then send him packing. Automated garbage pickup? Sounds to me like he's trying to set up laying off some more city employees.

The time has come for this city to stop raising taxes and utility fees, buying property we don't need, and trying to make like we are Des Moines or some other big city.

Jim Cannon

Cedar Rapids