Learn about local government at event at Cedar Rapids library Saturday

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Solidarity in Motion, with assistance from the Linn County League of Women Voters, presents a Civic Literacy Workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday in Whipple Auditorium at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

The workshop, titled 'All Politics is Local,” aims to explain and show residents how city and county government works and how they can get involved.

Questions to be addressed include:

l Do city councils and county supervisors do the same or different types of things?

l What do city and county boards and commissions do?

l Are school boards part of government? What do they do?

l What does local government have to do with my food?

l What taxes are paid locally and how are they spent?

l How can I best advocate for local projects?

l What do political parties do at the city and county level?

l How can we make Linn County a welcoming community?

The program includes breakout sessions, a presentation on effective local advocacy by former Cedar Rapids City Council Member Dale Todd and a 'Happy 200th Birthday” salute to George Greene, early mayor and civic leader of Cedar Rapids, after whom Greene Square is named. He was born on April 15, 1817.

To register and to see a full schedule and list of presenters, go to crsolidarity.wordpress.com.