Readers sound off about Cedar Rapids flood, other issues

I wrote in my Sunday, June 5, Gazette column about some of the feedback I get from readers and thought some of you checking the blog would be interested. It starts with this one:

How about (a) little less Cedar Rapids flood 2008 news, it's past, a little more northeastern Iowa news!

I understand the fatigue factor when it comes to the 2008 flood. The people most fatigued are those still dealing with its aftermath. Cedar Rapids, the state's second largest city, is at a crossroads as its citizens try to figure out how to deal with the damage that still remains, how to pay for protection against a future flood, how much taxpayers can bear to see that happen and what should be done to revitalize the city so that it, indeed, can put the flood behind it.

This will take time.

As for more northeast Iowa news: point taken. We keep seeking stories in that neck of the woods, which is where, by the way, I was raised more years ago that I'd care to admit.

If it had to be one syndicated column I feel Dr. Donahue should replace Dear Abby. The health feature is more beneficial and educational.

Both Dr. Donahue, who runs on Mondays, and Dear Abby, which runs daily, have strong followings. We aren't in a situation where we have to decide between the two. There is room for both but we'll stick with Dr. Donohue running on Mondays only for now.

I just wanted to offer some feedback on the newly designed Milestones:

Overall, I love the new, updated look. However, I find the black text on the olive green background color hard to read. I'm not that old, so I can only imagine how hard a time some who are older and with poorer vision have reading those blocks. Is there any way that either a lighter color could be used for the text in those blocks, or the olive green background could be lightened a couple shades, to make the black text more easily read?

We got this a while ago and the people putting together Milestones agreed about the green being too dark. They worked on a different shade, and added some color choices that they think are easier to read with black text. Thanks for the feedback. It resulted in a change. Let us know if it still isn't working.

When the downsizing on the “Gazette” began, I was worried that content might suffer and I do miss a few editorialists, esp in the Sunday edition, but after several start up missteps, I am now impressed with the paper's commitment to local news stories. I can get more up to date national news via CNN and other venues, but I do like the more thorough Iowa and city stories that have been in the front section for several weeks now. Those are stories I want to know about, in depth, and I appreciate the “Gazette” bringing them to me, every day.

Our goal is to give a strong local report, and to arm people with information they need to have an intelligent conversation about an issue, trend or those who make policies that affect us.

Take a day (or evening) trip down to Washington (Iowa) and see our new school being built, our new medical clinic under construction, the refurbishing of our state theatre, have lunch at our delicious Café Dodici, shop or dinner at wonderful Café Dodici - stay overnight on the Washington Square. Don't hesitate - our welcome mat is out for you. (smiley face attached)

How's that for a sales pitch? Direct from Washington, Iowa.

Updated Wednesday, June 8: I got a call from someone in Washington who read the Sunday column and wanted to express thanks for giving the city some love. Farmers' markets and music on Thursday nights during the summer, she noted.

More comments? Post them here, or send me an email at 

lyle.muller@thegazette.com