[Iowa-dx] City Council and Mayor will respond to this formal petition
Soyawax@aol.com
Soyawax@aol.com
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:04:34 EDT
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Dear Friends;
=20
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=20
=20
=20
=20
=20
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The City Council and Mayor will respond to this formal petition below in=20
writing this week. Anyone can send your comments or support for this citize=
n=20
petition by e mail to the Mayor and Council members at this link;
=20
_http://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp_=20
(http://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp) =20=
=20
=20
The Petition; City Council WED Aug. 20, 2008
=20
=20
Council Members, Madame Mayor;=20
Our comments tonight are not intended as criticism of the Council or any=20
city departments or staff. None of us had any preparation or fore knowled=
ge of=20
how to respond to the most disastrous event in the history of this fine=20
City. We do offer a challenge tonight, not just to our Council, but to eve=
ry=20
leader in our community; the leaders of business, service organizations and=
our=20
leaders of faith and conscience.=20
We challenge all City leaders to initiate a One Year Plan of Action that=20
Starts Today=20
The Flood of 2008 requires an emergency level of response. The recovery=20
response requires the same level of community involvement and commitment a=
fter=20
the flood that we saw exhibited by the citizens of Cedar Rapids during the=20
sandbagging before the flood. The sandbagging demonstrated the kind of=20
community we really are. Now we need to get back in emergency mode to be=20=
ready=20
for the imminent challenges of an Iowa Winter.=20
We are here as spokespersons for Rebuild And Grow, a not for profit with=20
the specific and clearly defined purpose of urgent community flood recovery=
. =20
Rebuild And Grow is an affiliate of Beacon of Hope/New Orleans. =20
In a major disaster there are three approaches to action;=20
1. do it "to em" -exploitive contractors and other profiteers show up on=20=
=20
the scene=20
2. do it "for them" -traditional governmental or agency "victim mode"=20
this approach has very little public input and self-determination=20
3. do it "with them" the self-help approach we are modeling with Rebuild=20
and =20
and Grow. Our goal is to offer the opportunity for flood "victims" to=20
become =20
"survivors". We shift to =E2=80=9Csurvivor=E2=80=9D, by accepting self-suf=
ficient action.=20
Rebuild And Grow will partner closely with all other entities that are=20
rising to the cause of flood recovery in our area, such as Linn Area Long =20=
Term=20
Recovery Coalition, The East Central Volunteer Reception Center,=20
Corridorrecovery.org, and numerous faith based disaster recovery groups, et=
c. Rebuild And=20
Grow simply serves as one catalyst to pull all of us together for effectiv=
e=20
"proactive" neighborhood recovery and rebuilding activity. Our focus is =20
self-help.=20
We need =E2=80=9Call hands on deck=E2=80=9D to organize a very effective co=
mmunity wide=20
emergency response for recovery. Rebuild And Grow is taking the initiativ=
e to=20
call forth a partnering approach for self-help work. We=E2=80=99ll work with=
all =20
other available groups to build a community wide organizational capacity.=20
We are all in this together, and no one group or organization has the=20
capacity to bring about fully effective action. The need is so huge, that=20=
we need =20
to find the most effective ways to work together. Together, we do have the=
=20
capacity and community will for very effective action. =20
We need to call forth the same community spirit and participation that=20
fueled the massive effort to sandbag before the flood. We now need this sa=
me =20
level of effort to clean up after the flood.=20
We cannot lead this charge from behind desks or just in meetings. Our=20
leaders need to be on the street at on the very front lines of disaster re=
covery.=20
You can call forth this action.=20
With "all hands on deck", we will carry out an emergency response in Cedar=20
Rapids Iowa;=20
Rebuild and Grow has mapped out a clear and decisive plan of action;=20
1. Form Recovery and Rebuild Response Self Help Teams in every one of=
=20
the 6 flooded neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids. Map out a flooded area grid m=
ap=20
and assess present stage of gutting and property clean up. Announce a bloc=
k=20
by block schedule in The Gazette, door to door flyers, and radio and=20
television public service announcements.=20
2. Thoroughly gut and seal up every flooded property before winter and=
=20
target Spring '09 for rebuild. To do anything less would create a growing=
=20
health, fire and safety hazard.=20
All of the disaster recovery groups that we met with in New Orleans stated=20
the exact same thing;=20
No matter what, even if there is a possibility that a property will=20
eventually be demolished, gut and seal up every single building. This gu=
t and =20
seal work activity accomplishes several things; =20
A. psychological closure for the owner or residents even if the property i=
s=20
eventually demolished. Gutting and sealing a home is the honorable approach=
,=20
no matter what the end result will be. Many of these homes were built by=20=
=20
grandparents, passed on for generations. We need to respect them by cleani=
ng=20
and caring for each home and each neighborhood. This process cannot be =20
delayed. Each family can then have a "ceremony of closure" to start their=20
healing process. This can be ministered by a faith based group, or a group=
of=20
neighbors as requested.=20
Some families will do this as a private and quiet family process.=20
B. preserve all options for future rebuilding after a long term recovery=20
plan is in place. The most affordable housing is the home that is already=20=
=20
there. The most =E2=80=9Cgreen=E2=80=9D homes are built by using existing m=
aterials; recycle and=20
rebuild. The most historic homes are in our core neighborhoods.=20
C. safety and health issues; minimize rodent, pest and physical hazards in=
=20
the flooded zones.=20
900 square blocks of garbage and debris is now a huge health, safety and =20
fire hazard, and the effects are now spreading into the entire city. City=20
Government cannot ignore this emergency need any longer. Stopping because o=
f=20
lack of FEMA reimbursement is =E2=80=9Cpenny wise=E2=80=9D and dollar fooli=
sh.=E2=80=9D The long term=20
cost of inaction will be immense. Leaving this public health and safety an=
d=20
fire hazard in our streets is irresponsible. =20
We presently have a 900 square block breeding ground for rats, raccoons,=20
roaches and mosquitoes. Rats run, roaches crawl and mosquitoes fly. They ar=
e=20
coming to a neighborhood near you. This is now a citywide health, fire and=20
safety issue and must be addressed on a whole city level. This is more th=
an just=20
City Government can handle. We need the sandbagging attitude to clean our=
=20
city. A massive outpouring of volunteer effort can solve this huge =20
problem.=20
Thousands of abandoned houses are also an attractor for unmanaged and unsaf=
e=20
vagrancy.=20
Those that are homeless and displaced by the Flood deserve safe, clean, war=
m=20
shelter. We call on every church in Cedar Rapids to claim the centuries old=
=20
tradition of Sanctuary to meet this emergency need. =20
Since winter is coming fast in Iowa, we need to set a goal for every home=20
and property in the 900 Square blocks of flooded areas are fully gutted, a=
ll=20
debris and garbage removed, all pipes sealed and drained and windows sealed=
=20
before the first frost. There are thousands of houses that have not yet be=
en=20
touched. All grass and weeds must be trimmed in public and private areas=
. =20
=20
Rebuild And Grow offers a clear and decisive plan for immediate action =20
that starts now in Late Summer-Early Fall '08 and continues through Summer o=
f =20
2009.=20
All summer we have had an influx of out of state volunteers. That source is=
=20
now slowing dramatically. We need to call forth a major, statewide local=20
volunteer response to meet emergency needs before winter.=20
Rebuild and Grow is contacting every single youth church group, high =20
school,college and university in Iowa to set up an emergency volunteer yout=
h corps=20
for weekend "block brigades".=20
Metro High School Faculty and the 600 students of Metro High School will=20
form the initial core group of this very timely community volunteer effort=
. =20
They will start with flood clean up with their immediate neighbors that wer=
e=20
flooded out in the Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood. The executive Board of=20
Rebuild and Grow are training block captains that live or own property in t=
he=20
other flooded neighborhoods to organize adult volunteers to supervise paral=
lel=20
efforts in all of the flooded neighborhoods.=20
Every Saturday and Sunday until winter, these "weekend warriors" of the=20
emergency volunteer youth corps will be organized to march down the street=
s of=20
the flooded areas "block by block". We need the City Government to official=
ly=20
sanction this huge and urgent effort.=20
To carry out this urgent, emergency level clean up of the flooded zones=20
before winter we need to call on;=20
*Cedar Rapids Police Dept. (at least one car on site as each block brigade=
=20
passes)=20
*Cedar Rapids Solid Waste Agency for dump trucks and skidloaders=20
*Iowa National Guard (personnel and heavy equipment such as dump trucks and=
=20
skidloaders)=20
*The East Central Volunteer Center (joint volunteer coordination)=20
*Cedar Rapids City Government=20
* Linn County Long Term Recovery to locate and notify each land owner to be=
=20
on site.=20
*All neighborhood associations that work in concert with City Government=20
*Salvation Army food wagons to follow the volunteer block brigades=20
*All Faith Based Groups and all Service groups such as Rotary, Kiwanis,=20
Optimists, etc.=20
*The Hawkeye Labor Council and volunteer contractors to show up with trucks=
=20
and =20
skidloaders for debris removal and emergency clean up before winter sets in=
.=20
*Every property owner on the block for self-help effort (or a signed=20
waiver for work)=20
Each Block Brigade will work like this as it moves down each flooded block=
:=20
* Three Gut and Seal trucks, outfitted with tools and materials to gut and=
=20
seal for winter=20
* A dump truck and end-loader tractor follows to immediately dispose of=20
flood debris=20
*lawn mower patrol follows to cut weeds and grass that are fast becoming a=
=20
hazard.=20
*Red Cross and/or Salvation Army will follow with a food and water truck=20
At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at 5 pm and we=20
celebrate with a block party. This process will create community buildin=
g=20
that will last far past the flood cleanup.=20
Cedar Rapids will be a much stronger and better community than we were=20
before our disaster.=20
During the winter months, each of the local neighborhood response teams can=
=20
plan out a more thorough recover and rebuild plan of action. Those=20
properties that can definitely be rebuilt can be organized for full constru=
ction=20
activity in the Spring of 2009. A Neighborhood Finance Authority can be s=
et up=20
to administer a local financial structure for this economic recovery by =20
making loans or grants for each property owner to reclaim their beloved home=
s. =20
We have been informed that up to $50 million in Federal Funds are availabl=
e=20
for affordable housing. The neighborhood based, sustainable housing=20
reclamation method being organized by Rebuild and Grow keeps the community=
strength=20
of individual family home ownership, rather than relegating flood survivors=
=20
to second class status as renters in low income housing or trailer parks. =20
Home ownership is a key to economic recovery and a stable, safe city.=20
Rebuild and Grow is engaged in planning with the Iowa Association of=20
Architects and Iowa State University Architecture Faculty, and innovative g=
reen=20
builders to plan out housing green retrofit and sustainable neighborhood ba=
sed=20
home building. We can retrofit flooded homes and do infill energy effic=
ient=20
homes. We need to restore 5,000 homes to safe and permanent use.=20
Rebuild and Grow has formed working alliances with the most innovative and=
=20
effective green building organizations in the nation. These organizations=20
have already carried out effective neighborhood recovery/rebuild projects i=
n=20
New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Hurricane zones.=20
By restoring and building affordable housing in the inner core=20
neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids that were flooded, we demonstrate the "green"=
sustainable,=20
SMART GROWTH policy already enacted by the Cedar Rapids City government. =20
Make Smart Growth work, now.=20
In the Early Spring of 2009, our emergency volunteer youth corps will be=20
called back out;=20
* The Broom Crew will pass down streets and sidewalks, cleaning with push =20
brooms. =20
* Lawn and Garden and Sidewalk Crews plant flowers in yards and City right=20
of way.=20
We replace the despair of disaster with the hope and strength of recovery.=
=20
* Red Cross and Salvation army trucks follow with a food and water truck. =20=
=20
At the end of one block project, every Block Brigade stops work at 5 pm and=
=20
we celebrate with a block party. Cedar Rapids will learn how to celebra=
te=20
life with the spirit of New Orleans! Rebuild and Grow has the commitment of=
=20
NOLA artists, musicians and chefs ready engage with Cedar Rapids as Sister=20
City for this purpose.=20
In the Late Spring of 2009, our emergency volunteer youth corps will be=20
back out to plant a =20
"Victory Garden" in the yard of every home owner, church, school or=20
neigborhood group that wants to build local economic self-sufficiency as we=
recover=20
from this devastating flood. Most flooded families are low income and or=20
elderly, so this is an important part of economic recovery and community =20
strength.=20
At the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at 5 pm and we=20
celebrate with a block party. We will work hard and play hard as a carin=
g=20
community.=20
We have all experienced a disaster. Now we can choose to be pitiful or=20
powerful. The self-help method outlined above gives each homeowner, each=20
neighborhood and our entire city a way to rise back up with dignity and res=
pect and=20
power. We cannot go into winter with our streets filled with garbage, debr=
is=20
and weeds. We need these =E2=80=9CBlock Brigades=E2=80=9D to lift our mo=
rale and grow=20
the greatness that Cedar Rapids can claim. The entire nation is watching w=
hat=20
we do. I request a formal response to this urgent proposal in writing fro=
m=20
City Council.=20
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--
-=20
For information, call Rebuild and Grow co-directors, Michael and Lynette=20
Richards at 319-213-2051. You can call to volunteer in our new office in=20=
the=20
Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood.=20
Rebuild and Grow is an affiliate of Beacon of Hope/New Orleans=20
Organizing Office; 1132 Ninth St. S.E. (Oakhill =E2=80=93Jackson Neighbo=
rhood) =20
CR, Iowa 52401=20
You can sign on to the open source/interactive website for REBUILD and GRO=
W=20
_www.RebuildAndGrow.org_ (http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/) =20
We have a ten page report on what we learned during our intensive training=
=20
and internship with Neighborhood Self-Help Disaster Recovery Groups in New=20
Orleans; send a request for this comprehensive report by e mail to; =20
_floodsurvivor@aol.com_ (mailto:floodsurvivor@aol.com) =20
The City Council and Mayor will respond to this formal petition below in=20
writing this week. Anyone can send your comments or support for this citize=
n=20
petition by e mail to the Mayor and Council members at this link;
=20
_http://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp_=20
(http://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp) =20
=20
You can write letters to the editor at the Cedar Rapids Gazette at; =20
=20
_editorial@gazettecommunications.com_=20
(mailto:editorial@gazettecommunications.com)=20
petition/written response from Mayor/Council; Health/Safety=20
**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your trave=
l=20
deal here. =20
(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=3Daoltrv00050000000047)
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<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3DUTF-8">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.6000.16711" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY id=3Drole_body style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY:=20=
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bottomMargin=3D7 leftMargin=3D7 topMargin=3D7 rightMargin=3D7><FONT id=3Drol=
e_document=20
face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT id=3Drolx_document face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Dear Fri=
ends;</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The City Council and Mayor will respond to this <STRONG>formal=20
petition</STRONG> below in writing this week. Anyone can send your=
=20
comments or support for this <STRONG>citizen petition</STRONG> by <STRO=
NG>e=20
mail </STRONG>to the Mayor and Council members at this link;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A title=3Dhttp://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp=20
href=3D"http://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp">http://www.cedar-=
rapids.org/overview/officers.asp</A><STRONG> &n=
bsp; =
&nbs=
p; &n=
bsp; =
<BR></STRONG></D=
IV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> &nb=
sp; <=
FONT=20
size=3D4><U>The Petition; City Council WED Aug. 20, 2008</U></FONT></STRONG>=
</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Council=20
Members, Madame Mayor;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Our comments=20
tonight are not intended as criticism of the Council or any city departments=
or=20
staff.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><EM>None of us had any=
=20
preparation or fore knowledge of how to respond to the most disastrous event=
in=20
the history of this fine City</EM>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> We</SPAN> do <STRONG>offer a challen=
ge=20
tonight</STRONG>, not just to our Council, but to <STRONG>every leader in ou=
r=20
community; the leaders of business, service organizations and our leaders of=
=20
faith and conscience.<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We challenge=20
all City leaders to initiate a One Year Plan of Action that Starts=20
Today<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">The<STRONG>=20
Flood of 2008</STRONG> requires an <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">emergency level of response</B>.<SPAN=
=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The recovery response requir=
es the=20
<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">same</B> level of <STRONG>communit=
y=20
involvement and commitment after the flood</STRONG> that we saw exhibited by=
the=20
citizens of Cedar Rapids <STRONG>during the sandbagging before the=20
flood.</STRONG><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The=20
sandbagging demonstrated the kind of community we really are.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Now we need to get back in=20
emergency mode to be ready for the imminent challenges of an Iowa=20
Winter.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N>We=20
are here as spokespersons <STRONG>for Rebuild And Grow</STRONG>, a=
not=20
for profit with the specific and clearly defined purpose of <STRONG>urgent=20
community flood recovery</STRONG>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Rebuild And Grow</B> is an affiliate=20=
of <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Beacon of Hope/New Orleans</B>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">In=20
a major disaster there are <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">three=20
approaches to action;<o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
1.=20
<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">do it "<I>to=20
em"</I></B> -exploitive contractors and other profiteers show up=20=
on=20
the scene<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
=20
2. <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">do it "<I>for them"</I></B>=20
-traditional governmental or agency "victim mode"<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
&nbs=
p;=20
</SPAN>this approach has very little public input and=20
self-determination<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
3.=20
<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">do it "<I>with them</I>"</B> =
<B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">the self-help approach</B> we are mod=
eling=20
with <B>Rebuild and <o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
&nbs=
p;=20
</SPAN>and Grow. </SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I>Our goal is to offer the opportu=
nity=20
for flood "victims" to become <o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><I><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
=20
</SPAN>"survivors"</SPAN></I><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">.=20
<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I>We shift to =E2=80=9Csurvivor=
=E2=80=9D, by accepting=20
self-sufficient action.<o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SP=
AN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',=
'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rebuild=20
And Grow will partner closely with all other entities that are rising to the=
=20
cause of flood recovery in our area, such as <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Linn Area=20=
Long=20
Term Recovery Coalition</SPAN>, <SPAN style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">T=
he=20
East Central Volunteer Reception Center, Corridorrecovery.org, and numerous=20
faith based disaster recovery groups, etc.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-seri=
f'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">=20
<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',=
'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rebuild=20
And Grow</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',=
'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">=20
simply serves as <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">one catalyst</I> t=
o pull=20
all of us together for effective "proactive" neighborhood recovery and=20
rebuilding activity.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Our focu=
s is=20
<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">self-help.</B></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: A=
rial; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p><=
/o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
need <STRONG>=E2=80=9Call hands on deck</STRONG>=E2=80=9D to organize a very=
effective community=20
wide <STRONG>emergency response</STRONG> for=20
recovery. </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rebuild=20
And Grow is taking the initiative to call forth a partnering approach for <B=
=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">self-help work</B>. We=E2=80=99ll wor=
k with all=20
other available groups to build a <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">community wide organizational=20
capacity</B>.<I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p></o:p></I></SPAN>=
</P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
are all in this together, and no one group or organization has the capacity=20=
to=20
bring about fully effective action. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The need is <U>so huge</U>, that we=
need=20
to find the most effective ways to work together. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Together, we do have the capacity a=
nd=20
community will for very effective action.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
need to call forth the <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">same communi=
ty=20
spirit and participation</I> that fueled the massive effort to sandbag befor=
e=20
the flood.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We now need this s=
ame=20
level of effort <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">to clean up after=20=
the=20
flood.</B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p></o:p></B></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG>We=20
cannot lead this charge from behind desks or just in meetings.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></STRONG>Our leaders need to be <U=
>on=20
the street</U> at on the <U><STRONG>very front lines</STRONG></U> of disaste=
r=20
recovery.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><STRONG>You c=
an=20
call forth this action.<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
=20
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">With=20
"all hands on deck", we will carry out an emergency response in Cedar Rapids=
=20
Iowa;</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
&nbs=
p; <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Rebuild and Grow</B> has mapped out a=
=20
<B>clear and decisive plan of action</B>;</SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D1></FONT><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraphCxSpFirst=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: norma=
l; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Form=20
Recovery and Rebuild Response <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"=
>Self=20
Help Teams</B> in every one of the 6 flooded neighborhoods in Ceda=
r=20
Rapids.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Map out a <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">flooded area grid map</B> and <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">assess present stage of gutting and pr=
operty=20
clean up. </I><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Announce a <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">block by block schedule</B> in The Ga=
zette,=20
door to door flyers, and radio and television public service=20
announcements.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify=
; mso-add-space: auto"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoListParagraphCxSpLast=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; LINE-HEIGHT: norma=
l; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-add-space: auto"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-list: Ignore">2.<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> =20
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Thoroughly=20
<B>gut and seal up</B> every flooded property <B><U>before winter and=20
</U></B><U>target <B>Spring '09</B> for <B>rebuild</B></U><B>.</B> <SPA=
N=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To do anything less would create a=
=20
growing <STRONG>health, fire and safety=20
hazard</STRONG>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All of the disaster recovery groups=
that=20
we met with in New Orleans stated <STRONG><U>the exact same=20
thing</U>;</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I>No matter what</I>, even if ther=
e is a=20
possibility that a property will eventually be demolished, <B>gut and s=
eal=20
up every single building</B>. <U>This gut and=20
seal work activity accomplishes several things</U>; </SPAN><=
/P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <B>A</B>.=20
<B>psychological closure</B> for the owner or residents <U>even if the prope=
rty=20
is eventually demolished</U>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>Gutting and sealing a home is <I>the honorable approach</I>, no matte=
r=20
what the end result will be. Many of these homes were built=
by=20
grandparents, passed on for generations. We need to=20
<I>respect them</I> by cleaning and caring for each home and each=20
neighborhood. <B>This process cannot be</B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B>delayed</B>. Each family=20=
can=20
then have a "ceremony of closure" to start their healing process.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This can be ministered by a faith=20=
based=20
group, or a group of neighbors as requested.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Some=20
families will do this as a private and quiet family=20
process.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">B</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">.<B>=20
preserve all options</B> for future rebuilding after a long term recovery pl=
an=20
is in place. The most <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">affordable</=
B>=20
housing <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">is the home that is already=
=20
there</I>. The most <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">=E2=80=9Cgreen=
=E2=80=9D</B> homes=20
are built by using existing materials; <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">recycle and rebuild</B>. The most <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">historic</B> homes are in our core=20
neighborhoods.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">C.</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">=20
<B>safety and health issues</B>; minimize rodent, pest and physica=
l=20
hazards in the flooded zones.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">900=20
square blocks of garbage and debris</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">=20
is now a huge <STRONG><U>health, safety and=20
fire</U> hazard</STRONG>, and<I> the effects are now spreading into <B>=
the=20
entire city</B>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>City Governm=
ent=20
cannot ignore this emergency need any longer. Stopping because of lack of FE=
MA=20
reimbursement is =E2=80=9Cpenny wise=E2=80=9D and dollar foolish.=E2=80=9D T=
he long term cost of=20
inaction will be immense. </I><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Leaving this <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">public</B> <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">health and safety and fire hazard</B>=
in=20
our streets <I>is irresponsible</I>. </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><STRONG>We presently have a 900 square=
=20
block breeding ground for rats, raccoons, roaches and mosquitoes.=20
</STRONG> Rats run, roaches crawl and mosquitoes fly. They are coming=20=
to a=20
neighborhood near you. This is now a <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">citywide health, fire and safety=
=20
issue</B> and must be addressed on a <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">whole city level.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B>This is more than just C=
ity=20
Government can handle. <STRONG><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPA=
N>We=20
need the sandbagging attitude to clean our city.</STRONG> A mass=
ive=20
outpouring of <STRONG>volunteer effort</STRONG> can solve this huge=20
problem.</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic"></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><STRONG>Thousands of abandoned=20
houses</STRONG> are also an <STRONG>attractor for unmanaged and unsafe=20
vagrancy.</STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Those that are homeless and displaced=20=
by the=20
Flood <STRONG>deserve</STRONG> <STRONG>safe, clean, warm</STRONG> shelter. W=
e=20
call on every church in Cedar Rapids to claim the <U>centuries old tradition=
</U>=20
of <STRONG>Sanctuary</STRONG> to meet this <U>emergency=20
need. </U></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Since=20
<B>winter is coming fast in Iowa</B>, we need to set a goal for ev=
ery=20
home and property in the 900 Square blocks of flooded areas are=20
<B>fully gutted, all debris and garbage removed, all pipes sealed and=20
drained</B> and <STRONG>windows sealed</STRONG> before the first frost. =
;=20
There are thousands of houses that have not yet been touched. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All grass and <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">weeds </B>must be trimmed in public a=
nd=20
private areas. </SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rebuild=20
And Grow offers a <B><U>clear and decisive plan</U> for immediate acti=
on=20
that starts now in Late Summer-Early Fall '08 and continues through Summer o=
f=20
2009.</B><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>All summer we have had an influx of out of state volun=
teers.=20
That source is <EM>now slowing dramatically</EM>. We need to call forth a=20
<STRONG>major, statewide <U>local</U> volunteer response</STRONG> to meet=20
emergency needs <U>before winter.</U></FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rebuild=20
and Grow is contacting <I>every single youth church group, high=20
school,college and university in Iowa</I> to set up an <B>emergency voluntee=
r=20
youth corps for weekend "block brigades".</B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Metro=20
High School Faculty and the 600 students of Metro High School will form=20
<STRONG>the initial core group of this very timely community volunteer=20
effort.</STRONG> They will start with flood clean up with their=20
immediate neighbors that were flooded out in the Oakhill Jackson=20
Neighborhood. The executive Board of Rebuild and Grow are=20
training<STRONG> block captains</STRONG> that live or own property in the ot=
her=20
flooded neighborhoods to organize adult volunteers to supervise parallel eff=
orts=20
in all of the flooded neighborhoods.</SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Every=20
Saturday and Sunday until winter, these<B> "weekend warriors" of the emergen=
cy=20
volunteer youth corps will</B> be organized to march down the str=
eets=20
of the flooded areas <B>"block by block".<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&=
nbsp;=20
</SPAN>We need the City Government to officially sanction this huge and urge=
nt=20
effort.<o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">To=20
carry out this <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">urgent</B>, <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">emergency level clean up of the flood=
ed=20
zones before winter</B> we need to call on;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *Cedar=20
Rapids Police Dept. (at least one car on site as each block brigade=20
passes)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =20
*Cedar Rapids Solid Waste Agency for dump trucks and=20
skidloaders<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>*Iowa National G=
uard=20
(personnel and heavy equipment such as dump trucks and=20
skidloaders)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The East Central Volunteer Center =
=20
(joint volunteer coordination)</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>*Cedar Rapids Ci=
ty=20
Government<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>* Linn County Lo=
ng=20
Term Recovery to locate and notify each land owner to be on=20
site.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *All=20
neighborhood associations that work in concert with City=20
Government<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *Salvation=20
Army food wagons to follow the volunteer block=20
brigades<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>*All Faith Based=
=20
Groups and all Service groups such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimists,=20
etc.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>*The Hawkeye Lab=
or=20
Council and volunteer contractors to show up with trucks and=20
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>skidloaders for debris removal and=20
emergency clean up before winter sets in.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>*Every property=20=
owner=20
on the block for <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">self-help=20
effort</B><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">(or a signed waiver for=20
work)<o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Each<B>=20
Block Brigade</B> will work like this as it moves down <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">each flooded=20
block</B>:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
*=20
Three <B>Gut and Seal trucks</B>, outfitted with tools and materials to=
gut=20
and seal for winter<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
*=20
A <B>dump truck and end-loader tractor</B> follows to immediately dispo=
se=20
of flood debris<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>*law=
n=20
mower patrol</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">=20
follows to cut weeds and grass that are fast becoming a=20
hazard.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
*Red=20
Cross and/or Salvation Army will follow with a <B>food and water=20
truck</B><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">At=20
the end of one block, every <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Block=20
Brigade</B> stops work at <B>5 pm</B><SPAN style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: bo=
ld">=20
and we celebrate with a <B>block party.</B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This process will crea=
te=20
community building that <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">will last f=
ar=20
past the flood cleanup.<o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-f=
ont-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Cedar=20
Rapids will be a <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">much stronger and=20=
better=20
community than we were before our disaster.</I></SPAN><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">During=20
the winter months, each of the <B>local neighborhood response teams</B>=
can=20
plan out a more thorough <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">recover a=
nd=20
rebuild plan of action</B>. Those properties that can definitely be=20
rebuilt can be organized for full construction activity in the Spring of=20
2009.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">A Neighborhood Finance Authority</B>=20=
can be=20
set up to administer a local financial structure for this economic recovery=20=
by=20
making loans or grants for each property owner to reclaim their beloved home=
s.=20
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
have been informed that up to <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">$50=20
million in Federal Funds</B> are available for <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">affordable housing</B>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The <STRONG>neighborhood based,=20
sustainable</STRONG> <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">housing recla=
mation=20
method </B>being organized by<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> Rebu=
ild=20
and Grow</B> keeps the community strength of <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">individual family home ownership,</B>=
<EM>=20
rather than relegating flood survivors to second class status as renters in=20=
low=20
income housing or trailer parks.</EM> <STRONG>Home ownership is a key=20=
to=20
economic recovery and a stable, safe city.</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG></STRONG></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rebuild and Grow is engaged i=
n=20
planning with the Iowa Association of Architects and Iowa State Univers=
ity=20
Architecture Faculty, and innovative green builders to plan out <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">housing green retrofit</B> and sustai=
nable=20
<STRONG>neighborhood based home building.</STRONG> We can=20
<STRONG>retrofit </STRONG>flooded homes and do <STRONG>infill</STRONG> energ=
y=20
efficient homes. <STRONG>We need to restore 5,000 homes to safe=20=
and=20
permanent use.</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><STRONG>Rebuild=20
and Grow</STRONG> has formed working alliances with the <STRONG>most innovat=
ive=20
and effective green building organizations in the nation.</STRONG> The=
se=20
organizations have already carried out <STRONG>effective neighborhood=20
recovery/rebuild projects in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Hurricane=20
zones.</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','seri=
f'">By=20
restoring and building <STRONG>affordable housing</STRONG> in the<STRONG> in=
ner=20
core</STRONG> <STRONG>neighborhoods </STRONG>of Cedar Rapids that were flood=
ed,=20
we demonstrate the "green" sustainable, <STRONG>SMART GROWTH</STRO=
NG>=20
policy already enacted by the Cedar Rapids City government.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Make Smart Growth work,=20
now.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">In=20
the <B>Early Spring of 2009</B>, our <B>emergency volunteer youth=20
corps</B> <U>will be called back out;<o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *=20
The <B>Broom Crew</B> will pass down streets and sidewalks, cleaning with pu=
sh=20
brooms. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *<B> Lawn=20
and Garden and Sidewalk Crews plant flowers in yards and City right of=20
way.<o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-f=
ont-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
replace <B>the despair of disaster</B> with the <B>hope and strength of=20
recovery.</B></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> *=20
Red Cross and Salvation army trucks follow with a <B>food and water truck.<S=
PAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">At=20
the end of one block project, every <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Block Brigade</B> stops work at <B>5=20=
pm=20
</B><SPAN style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">and we celebrate<B> with a bl=
ock=20
party</B>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Cedar=20=
Rapids=20
will learn how to <B>celebrate life with the spirit of</B><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> New Orleans!<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rebuild and Grow has the commitmen=
t of=20
<B>NOLA</B> artists, musicians and chefs ready engage with Cedar Rapids as=20
<B>Sister City</B> for this purpose.<o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">In=20
the <B>Late Spring of 2009</B>, our <B>emergency volunteer youth=20
corps</B> will be back out to plant a <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">"Victory=20
Garden" in the yard of every home owner, church, school or neigborhood group=
=20
that wants to build local economic self-sufficiency as we recover from this=20
devastating flood. Most flooded families are low income and or elderly=
, so=20
this is an important part of economic recovery and community=20
strength.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">At=20
the end of one block, every Block Brigade stops work at <B>5 pm and we celeb=
rate=20
with a block party.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We=20=
will=20
work hard and play hard as a caring community.<o:p></o:p></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 6pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-f=
ont-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
have all experienced a disaster.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><B>Now we can <U>choose</U> to be pitiful or powerful</B>.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B>The self-help method</B> outlin=
ed=20
above gives each homeowner, each neighborhood and our entire city a way to r=
ise=20
back up <B>with dignity and respect</B> and <B>power.</B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We cannot go into winter with our=20
streets filled with garbage, debris and weeds. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We need these <B>=E2=
=80=9CBlock=20
Brigades=E2=80=9D</B> to <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">lift our m=
orale</I> and=20
grow the greatness that Cedar Rapids can claim.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The entire nation is <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">watching what we do.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I request a formal response=20=
to=20
this urgent proposal in writing from City Council.</I></SPAN><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">-------------------------------------------=
----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
--------------------------------------</SPAN></I></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> For=20
information, call Rebuild and Grow co-directors, Michael and Lynette Richard=
s at=20
<B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">319-213-2051.</B><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>You can <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">call to volunteer</B> in our new offi=
ce in=20
the Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood.</SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 4pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rebuild=20
and Grow</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">=20
is <I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">an affiliate of</I> <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Beacon of Hope/New=20
Orleans</B><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Organizing=20
Office;<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>1132<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ninth St. S.E. (Oakhill =E2=80=93J=
ackson=20
Neighborhood)<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>CR, Iowa=20
52401</SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">You=20
can sign on to the open source/interactive website for REBUILD and=20
GROW</SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> =
&nbs=
p; =20
<A title=3Dhttp://www.rebuildandgrow.org/=20
href=3D"http://www.rebuildandgrow.org/">www.RebuildAndGrow.org</A></SPAN></P=
>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-tab-count: 1"> &=
nbsp; =20
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast=
-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">We=20
have a <B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">ten page report</B> on what=
we=20
learned during our intensive training and internship with Neighborhood Self-=
Help=20
Disaster Recovery Groups in New Orleans;<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&n=
bsp;=20
</SPAN>send a request for this <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">comprehensive report</B> by e mail to=
;<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><A=20
title=3Dmailto:floodsurvivor@aol.com href=3D"mailto:floodsurvivor@aol.com"><=
SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',=
'serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">floodsurvivor@aol.com</=
SPAN></A></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FON=
T=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3></FONT> </P>
<DIV>The City Council and Mayor will respond to this <STRONG>formal=20
petition</STRONG> below in writing this week. Anyone can send your=
=20
comments or support for this <STRONG>citizen petition</STRONG> by <STRO=
NG>e=20
mail </STRONG>to the Mayor and Council members at this link;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A title=3Dhttp://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp=20
href=3D"http://www.cedar-rapids.org/overview/officers.asp">http://www.cedar-=
rapids.org/overview/officers.asp</A><STRONG> &n=
bsp; </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>You can write letters to the editor at the Cedar Rapids Gazette=
=20
at; </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><A title=3Dmailto:editorial@gazettecommunications.com=20
href=3D"mailto:editorial@gazettecommunications.com">editorial@gazettecommuni=
cations.com</A></STRONG></DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FON=
T=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3></FONT> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><FON=
T=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> petition/written response from=20
Mayor/Council; Health/Safety</FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPA=
N=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareas=
t-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
&nbs=
p; =20
</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR><BR><BR></DI=
V></FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style=3D"color: black; fo=
nt: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 10px">It's only=20=
a deal if it's where <I>you</I> want to go. Find your travel deal <A title=
=3D"http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=3Daoltrv00050000000047" hre=
f=3D"http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=3Daoltrv00050000000047" ta=
rget=3D"_blank"><B>here</B></A>.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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