Mayor Corbett...what kind of guy is he?

[joelbc1]

Lone....give me the straight scoop here. He seems pretty progressive and pretty smart. I think there are a lot of Iowa mayors who are that way.......Vilsack was a mayor, too. They seem to understand how politics is supposed to work and they work the system as it was designed.



Understand I am a registered Dem, but I voted more than once for Bob Ray, As you might guess, I would never consider voting for Teflon Terry but a reasonable Republican can be a good fit in a state like Iowa. Plus....his candidacy might help bump the Iowa GOP more towards the center. With Terry, Chuck and Joanie leading the way and having Blum and King in the House leaves Iowa a pretty unbalanced image of what it really is.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Lone....give me the straight scoop here. He seems pretty progressive and pretty smart. I think there are a lot of Iowa mayors who are that way.......Vilsack was a mayor, too. They seem to understand how politics is supposed to work and they work the system as it was designed.



Understand I am a registered Dem, but I voted more than once for Bob Ray, As you might guess, I would never consider voting for Teflon Terry but a reasonable Republican can be a good fit in a state like Iowa. Plus....his candidacy might help bump the Iowa GOP more towards the center. With Terry, Chuck and Joanie leading the way and having Blum and King in the House leaves Iowa a pretty unbalanced image of what it really is.

You are way wrong on the smart part.
Maybe smart to some dumb libatard but not to most.

 

[22*43*51]

Lone....give me the straight scoop here. He seems pretty progressive and pretty smart. I think there are a lot of Iowa mayors who are that way.......Vilsack was a mayor, too. They seem to understand how politics is supposed to work and they work the system as it was designed.



Understand I am a registered Dem, but I voted more than once for Bob Ray, As you might guess, I would never consider voting for Teflon Terry but a reasonable Republican can be a good fit in a state like Iowa. Plus....his candidacy might help bump the Iowa GOP more towards the center. With Terry, Chuck and Joanie leading the way and having Blum and King in the House leaves Iowa a pretty unbalanced image of what it really is.

Corbett is a true Conservative.

Not a mild centrist like Terry.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

His code enforcement tactics have put fear into residents, particularly those who are worried the city gestapo will enforce eminent domain on their homes. Furthermore, renters are actually scared to report landlords for fear of code retribution. Residents are having needless sidewalks and walls installed all under the guise of code. He's made CR into "Speeder Trapids" which is an illegal money grab, giving the city a negative image throughout the Midwest (and yet a more reasonable location or speed to enforce hasn't been adopted). The percentage of speeding tickets nationally that come from CR is an embarrassment. There has been positive momentum in building cultural attractions, but the upcoming pork projects makes me think money is going to friends and campaign backers. Lastly, shootings are way up. Other than that he's a good guy.

 

[nck24]

Lone....give me the straight scoop here. He seems pretty progressive and pretty smart. I think there are a lot of Iowa mayors who are that way.......Vilsack was a mayor, too. They seem to understand how politics is supposed to work and they work the system as it was designed.



Understand I am a registered Dem, but I voted more than once for Bob Ray, As you might guess, I would never consider voting for Teflon Terry but a reasonable Republican can be a good fit in a state like Iowa. Plus....his candidacy might help bump the Iowa GOP more towards the center. With Terry, Chuck and Joanie leading the way and having Blum and King in the House leaves Iowa a pretty unbalanced image of what it really is.

Cedar Rapids is loaded with "Citizens Against Virtually Everything" types whose only vision for the city is to back in time, get the Sinclair Packing Plant back in business, and to be able to look at the Christmas window displays at Killians and Armstrongs Downtown Dept Stores. Unfortunately for them, that city will never exist again. They seem to have a "Wait and Hope" attitude that something good will eventually happen, but we shouldn't to anything to make our city better, and God forbid, we should never spend a cent of money on anything other than fixing streets.

These types despise Corbett, as he seems to be more of a "let's do something now" type, and whether you like him or hate him, things are happening now. There has been more development for the better in the last few years than at any point in the 15 years I have lived here. Much of the current construction has been on flood properties and abandoned industrial sites, where the city was receiving little or no tax revenue. We've also remodeled the Arena, added considerable retail and local restaurant options, added a great venue in the McGrath Amphitheater, the NewBo area has become, dare I say, an attraction to visitors. Most cities in Iowa wish that they had the economic development that is going on right now, and it has happened without the benefit of being a State Capital like Des Moines, or a heavily State funded University City like Iowa City or Ames. I can't say I agree with everything that has been done...I think the city has extended itself on the Doubletree Hotel and Westdale projects, and I think that the two way street thing could have waited...but overall most of the things being done right now will be positives over the next 50-100 years.

CAVE types also do not like that Corbett has been able to convince citizens to support the current vision, like winning approval of the Casino by a large margin, and the LOST tax for street repair. Corbett has also supported the Speed Cameras, which gives the Gazette something to generate website hits, but the revenues from the camera produce a very small % of the city's budget. That issue really needs to be settled by the Legislature.

Overall, the city is being run like a business, taking advantage of opportunities that may come its' way, and willing to invest in it's future, even if it might be risky at the outset. I'll take someone that is willing to "do something" over someone that waits to "wait and hope" any day.

 

[swagsurfer02]

His code enforcement tactics have put fear into residents, particularly those who are worried the city gestapo will enforce eminent domain on their homes. Furthermore, renters are actually scared to report landlords for fear of code retribution. Residents are having needless sidewalks and walls installed all under the guise of code. He's made CR into "Speeder Trapids" which is an illegal money grab, giving the city a negative image throughout the Midwest (and yet a more reasonable location or speed to enforce hasn't been adopted). The percentage of speeding tickets nationally that come from CR is an embarrassment. There has been positive momentum in building cultural attractions, but the upcoming pork projects makes me think money is going to friends and campaign backers. Lastly, shootings are way up. Other than that he's a good guy.

If you don't drive above the speed limit, it's not really a trap nor does it make money for anyone.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Cedar Rapids is loaded with "Citizens Against Virtually Everything" types whose only vision for the city is to back in time, get the Sinclair Packing Plant back in business, and to be able to look at the Christmas window displays at Killians and Armstrongs Downtown Dept Stores. Unfortunately for them, that city will never exist again. They seem to have a "Wait and Hope" attitude that something good will eventually happen, but we shouldn't to anything to make our city better, and God forbid, we should never spend a cent of money on anything other than fixing streets.

These types despise Corbett, as he seems to be more of a "let's do something now" type, and whether you like him or hate him, things are happening now. There has been more development for the better in the last few years than at any point in the 15 years I have lived here. Much of the current construction has been on flood properties and abandoned industrial sites, where the city was receiving little or no tax revenue. We've also remodeled the Arena, added considerable retail and local restaurant options, added a great venue in the McGrath Amphitheater, the NewBo area has become, dare I say, an attraction to visitors. Most cities in Iowa wish that they had the economic development that is going on right now, and it has happened without the benefit of being a State Capital like Des Moines, or a heavily State funded University City like Iowa City or Ames. I can't say I agree with everything that has been done...I think the city has extended itself on the Doubletree Hotel and Westdale projects, and I think that the two way street thing could have waited...but overall most of the things being done right now will be positives over the next 50-100 years.

CAVE types also do not like that Corbett has been able to convince citizens to support the current vision, like winning approval of the Casino by a large margin, and the LOST tax for street repair. Corbett has also supported the Speed Cameras, which gives the Gazette something to generate website hits, but the revenues from the camera produce a very small % of the city's budget. That issue really needs to be settled by the Legislature.

Overall, the city is being run like a business, taking advantage of opportunities that may come its' way, and willing to invest in it's future, even if it might be risky at the outset. I'll take someone that is willing to "do something" over someone that waits to "wait and hope" any day.

It did happen with a lot and I mean a lot of federal flood $$$$$$$$

 

[mstp1992]

Corbett is a true Conservative.

Not a mild centrist like Terry.

Branstad is in no way, shape, or form a centrist. He is very socially conservative and a true friend of corporations from an economic perspective. And don't get me started on his asinine overhaul of the state mental health system. The guy is an asshole of immense proportions.

Corbett's a pretty cool guy. I've met him a few times. I'd vote for him if he ran for governor.

 

[aflachawk]

If you don't drive above the speed limit, it's not really a trap nor does it make money for anyone.

I agree. Drive the damn speed limit and it will not be a problem. In reality you can go 5 above and not get a ticket

 

[mstp1992]

I agree. Drive the damn speed limit and it will not be a problem. In reality you can go 5 above and not get a ticket

Through downtown you can go up to 67 before they issue a ticket (speed limit is 55).

 

[JRHawk2003]

This Collins road project is ridiculous. That area will be a hell for two years. Just to raise it up? I am sorry, that is just not necessary.

 

[22*43*51]

Branstad is in no way, shape, or form a centrist. He is very socially conservative and a true friend of corporations from an economic perspective. And don't get me started on his asinine overhaul of the state mental health system. The guy is an asshole of immense proportions.

Corbett's a pretty cool guy. I've met him a few times. I'd vote for him if he ran for governor.

You're a good Cat mstp and in all honesty I tee'd that up for you and Joel.

I do love the fun we have in TB threads...

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

I would certainly agree with the fact that he gets things done. I know you can point to LOST, the Library, speed cameras etc., as money grabs, but the downtown is headed in the right direction and there hasn't been any add to the city property tax or other services.

Truth be told though, Iowa mayors aren't all that powerful. Which is a welcome departure from places like Chicago and New York where crackpot ideas go basically unopposed or get rubber stamped. I can't ever figure out why a place like Chicago refuses to take some power away from the mayor, who can do things like rocket up property taxes basically by decree.

 

[nck24]

It did happen with a lot and I mean a lot of federal flood $$$$$$$$

Flood recovery did indeed receive lots of federal dollars, just as Iowa City did, but my point was that State and Federal funding are the lifeblood of a University town, and has a huge impact on the economies of State Capitol cities...every day, every year. CR isn't getting a lot of Flood recovery money these days, but development continues on both flood and non flood properties.

 

[JRHawk2003]

City property taxes in Iowa are set at 8.37 per $1000 of taxable value for things like police, fire, parks, zoning, libraries.

The differences occur generally because of general obligation debt directly paid by property taxes.

 

[nck24]

I would certainly agree with the fact that he gets things done. I know you can point to LOST, the Library, speed cameras etc., as money grabs, but the downtown is headed in the right direction and there hasn't been any add to the city property tax or other services.

Truth be told though, Iowa mayors aren't all that powerful. Which is a welcome departure from places like Chicago and New York where crackpot ideas go basically unopposed or get rubber stamped. I can't ever figure out why a place like Chicago refuses to take some power away from the mayor, who can do things like rocket up property taxes basically by decree.

I actually am ok with the LOST, as the the tax collected is not limited to CR citizens. Everyone that works or shops in CR from satellite cities, and surrounding counties pays tax on the goods they buy here, and contributes to the maintenance of the streets they drive on while here. Sharing that cost is better than paying for it ourselves. I am also really surprised that camera revenue isn't plummeting, as everyone in the area knows about them, and traffic flow only travels at about 60 mph whenever I drive through there.

 

[mstp1992]

You're a good Cat mstp and in all honesty I tee'd that up for you and Joel.

I do love the fun we have in TB threads...

 

[joelbc1]

If you don't drive above the speed limit, it's not really a trap nor does it make money for anyone.

BINGO! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Lone Clone]

Lone....give me the straight scoop here. He seems pretty progressive and pretty smart. I think there are a lot of Iowa mayors who are that way.......Vilsack was a mayor, too. They seem to understand how politics is supposed to work and they work the system as it was designed.



Understand I am a registered Dem, but I voted more than once for Bob Ray, As you might guess, I would never consider voting for Teflon Terry but a reasonable Republican can be a good fit in a state like Iowa. Plus....his candidacy might help bump the Iowa GOP more towards the center. With Terry, Chuck and Joanie leading the way and having Blum and King in the House leaves Iowa a pretty unbalanced image of what it really is.

I don't follow Cedar Rapids politics much since leaving the paper and moving out of town. It's all I can do to keep up with their constant efforts to deny access to the downtown area with a series of insane traffic decisions.

He always struck me as a pretty level-headed guy, though.

I'm a little spoiled on the subject, because the mayor when I was covering City Hall, Don Canney, was really exceptional. And it was a completely different form of government then, too.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

If you don't drive above the speed limit, it's not really a trap nor does it make money for anyone.

Except the length of interstate from where the drop in speed limit is to where the cameras are is too short. So short, that it is in fact IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. There's good reason for this, particularly considering it is a major interstate between the Twin Cities and St. Louis. Many out of town residents are getting dinged for missing one sign a few hundred feet back.

 

[Lone Clone]

His code enforcement tactics have put fear into residents, particularly those who are worried the city gestapo will enforce eminent domain on their homes. Furthermore, renters are actually scared to report landlords for fear of code retribution. Residents are having needless sidewalks and walls installed all under the guise of code. He's made CR into "Speeder Trapids" which is an illegal money grab, giving the city a negative image throughout the Midwest (and yet a more reasonable location or speed to enforce hasn't been adopted). The percentage of speeding tickets nationally that come from CR is an embarrassment. There has been positive momentum in building cultural attractions, but the upcoming pork projects makes me think money is going to friends and campaign backers. Lastly, shootings are way up. Other than that he's a good guy.

I've been nailed several times by the cameras at Dead's Man Curve in downtown CR. You won't hear me complaining about them -- with one exception I'll get to in a second. That's a dangerous stretch of highway, and you have to be going at least 12 mph over the limit to get nailed. Those of us who got nailed have absolutely no freaking excuse.

The exception is northbound as you come out of the last curve. You're out of the woods -- you can hear the chorus from "Wizard of Oz" singing -- and the Interstate lies flat and straight ahead of you, and a lot of people are almost out of town on their way through.....but the speed limit remains at 55 mph for a fair distance, and that's where a LOT of people get ticketed. They speed up, not realizing the limit hasn't yet changed.

As for the sidewalks, I think there should be sidewalks everywhere. Not so much bike paths, not if they're funded by federal highway dollars. And the way they sold their souls to the medical developers and totally f**ed up the downtown traffic should be a crime. Then they change the one-way streets, willy-nilly.

I don't know how much of that is Corbett, though.

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

I'm a little spoiled on the subject, because the mayor when I was covering City Hall, Don Canney, was really exceptional. And it was a completely different form of government then, too.

My mom attests to this. She supported some of the infrastructure projects he worked on as a leader in the Republican party when I was a kid, and I guess he was a great person to work with. Side note, she was asked by the GOP to run for the State House against Kay Halloran in the mid-80s and refused. Sounds like your era of covering city politics, LC.

 

[mstp1992]

Except the length of interstate from where the drop in speed limit is to where the cameras are is too short. So short, that it is in fact IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. There's good reason for this, particularly considering it is a major interstate between the Twin Cities and St. Louis. Many out of town residents are getting dinged for missing one sign a few hundred feet back.

However, the DOT had given the okay for the original camera placements and then decided they were in violation after the fact. That's where the controversy stems.
Whenever I'm in another city I just assume 'in town' the interstate speed limit will drop and I'm more vigilant.

Going through the s-curves at 67 plus is just plain dumb anyway.

 

[hawkssox1]

Dude is a shrewd politician.

 

[Lone Clone]

My mom attests to this. She supported some of the infrastructure projects he worked on as a leader in the Republican party when I was a kid, and I guess he was a great person to work with. Side note, she was asked by the GOP to run for the State House against Kay Halloran in the mid-80s and refused. Sounds like your era of covering city politics, LC.

I came to C.R. as city hall reporter in May of '73, moved to the state desk about 5-6 years later. Don probably was more of a Democrat than a Republican, really pretty hard to tell. We called him "The King" because of the way he ran the city.

One of his greatest attributes was his ability to co-opt his critics. If somebody came to him, or to a council meeting, making good points about problems with the building code or sidewalk requirements or something, for instance, that person was likely to find himself appointed to the Planning Commission the next time there was an opening.

 

[nck24]

I've been nailed several times by the cameras at Dead's Man Curve in downtown CR. You won't hear me complaining about them -- with one exception I'll get to in a second. That's a dangerous stretch of highway, and you have to be going at least 12 mph over the limit to get nailed. Those of us who got nailed have absolutely no freaking excuse.

The exception is northbound as you come out of the last curve. You're out of the woods -- you can hear the chorus from "Wizard of Oz" singing -- and the Interstate lies flat and straight ahead of you, and a lot of people are almost out of town on their way through.....but the speed limit remains at 55 mph for a fair distance, and that's where a LOT of people get ticketed. They speed up, not realizing the limit hasn't yet changed.

As for the sidewalks, I think there should be sidewalks everywhere. Not so much bike paths, not if they're funded by federal highway dollars. And the way they sold their souls to the medical developers and totally f**ed up the downtown traffic should be a crime. Then they change the one-way streets, willy-nilly.

I don't know how much of that is Corbett, though.

I've never understood the outrage about PCI and 2nd ave. Traffic doesn't seem all that different to me than before they closed the street. Unless you live by Brucemore, you are going to be on 1st Ave if you arrive from the north. It doesn't seem any harder to just stay on 1st, but you could just turn on 10th and then proceed on 2nd. If you are REALLY afraid of 1st Ave traffic (and pedestrians!) you could always come in on 4th. All of the talk about traffic nightmares rings hollow to me in a city that doesn't have have a 4th, 9th, or 11th St, has the APEC building sitting in 2nd St, and Mercy Hospital complex blocking 6th and 7th Ave. We figured all of that out, we'll survive PCI.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

CAVE types also do not like that Corbett has been able to convince citizens to support the current vision, like winning approval of the Casino by a large margin, and the LOST tax for street repair.

How many times did those votes get voted down prior to finally passing. Hell, the LOST tax extension was pretty much a "we will put it to a vote until we get the decision we want" sort of thing.

 

[DogBoyRy]

How many times did those votes get voted down prior to finally passing. Hell, the LOST tax extension was pretty much a "we will put it to a vote until we get the decision we want" sort of thing.

Why anyone who thinks Corbett is a conservative is dead wrong.
He panders to the unions and Scott Olsen's of the city.
To clarify my early comment I've been in 3-4 meetings with him. 2-3 as mayor role - think 2 might have been same topic, 1 as CRST. He never was close to what I would say smartest in the room type. If you want some more info buy the top CRST guys a couple beers and they'll tell you stories you'd shake your head at. Think comic strip Dilbert for him as a manager.

 

[Senor Martinez]

Except the length of interstate from where the drop in speed limit is to where the cameras are is too short. So short, that it is in fact IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. There's good reason for this, particularly considering it is a major interstate between the Twin Cities and St. Louis. Many out of town residents are getting dinged for missing one sign a few hundred feet back.

You can rest assured that their primary motivation is keeping people safe and not--I repeat--NOT a shameless money grab. Pay no attention to those tens of thousands of dollars the city rakes in as a result of the illegally placed cameras--I'm sure that Cedar Rapids donates every penny of it to charitable causes.

 

[DogBoyRy]

You can rest assured that their primary motivation is keeping people safe and not--I repeat--NOT a shameless money grab. Pay no attention to those tens of thousands of dollars the city rakes in as a result of the illegally placed cameras--I'm sure that Cedar Rapids donates every penny of it to charitable causes.

Helps pay for Pomeratz and Olsen's trips to Vegas to drum up business.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

I agree. Drive the damn speed limit and it will not be a problem. In reality you can go 5 above and not get a ticket

actually, unless it changed you can go 11 over on the interstate and 9 in town before you can get a ticket.

 

[herecomethehawkeyes]

Except the length of interstate from where the drop in speed limit is to where the cameras are is too short. So short, that it is in fact IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW. There's good reason for this, particularly considering it is a major interstate between the Twin Cities and St. Louis. Many out of town residents are getting dinged for missing one sign a few hundred feet back.

I could swear that the camera on 1st avenue and 10th street, the speed limit prior to the cameras was 35 until you hit the 25 mph downtown. it has been 30 since the cameras went in. It kind of makes sense because in town a camera ticket is triggered at 9 over. If someone is going 40, thinking the limit was 35, that puts them at 10 over at the 30 MPH speed limit.

Also, are they still not ticketing semis that speed through the cameras. if it was truly about safety, the semis would not be exempt