Visitor likes CR, but not traffic cameras

To the editor:

On a recent trip to The Eastern Iowa Airport, our vehicle was photographed, apparently going over the speed limit. A week later we received the civil citation in the mail. Speeding? Within 1,000 feet of posted speed changes at highway speeds? Who knows, but I'll take credit for driving defensively and safely with my family in the car while obeying the laws of the road. And I could happily defend that with an officer of the law in real time.

We love what is going on in downtown Cedar Rapids - new restaurants, an awesome public market, a great new brewery, quality entertainment and a feeling of revitalization. We've made overnight business and personal trips to cover many of the positive changes for written stories.

But if Cedar Rapids wants to put itself back on the map as any kind of a destination, the automated speed enforcement program must be put to an end. It is not for safety. It is for creating funds in a way that defines entrapment with questionable placements and motives at best and no practical way to truly defend your actions. It is nothing, but a way to chase people away from wanting to be anywhere near the city. This may be the biggest obstacle the city has created to drawing visitors and tourists.

Take your pick Cedar Rapids. Step up and make your city an honestly great place to visit and work or continue making visitors feel completely unwelcome with little care to return.

Benji Nichols

Decorah