Siftings
Dec
17
Phoenix
Over the gunnel we went. The U.S.S. DFD got hung up on something, and Chief Frese and I jumped into the water to lighten the load and try to push the vessel off what had stopped us. Here’s a hint. Don’t wear the shortest boots on any given work team. Mine filled with cold spring flood water...
Dec
16
Bridges
Wood is good. Mayor Gluba asked for my reaction to the proposed pedestrian bridge over River Drive at last night’s Council worksession and I hope I didn’t cause anyone to be late to their post-meeting responsibilities with three, one syllable words. I was previously misinformed the bridge would...
Dec
11
From The Engine Room
It was one of those trick city manager interview questions. “Are you more like Captain Kirk, full of passion, or Spock, full of logic?”. The alderwomen smiled and leaned in. She knew she asked a tough one, and I’m supposed to struggle with it. “Neither” I reply. “I’m Scotty”. “It's my job to...
Dec
11
Craig’s Friday Countdown - Culture & Rec Funding
Percentage of city budget devoted to culture and recreation for Iowa cities over 100,000. Source http://auditor.iowa.gov/afr/search.php. FY13 - most recent fiscal year available.
3 - Cedar Rapids 4.60%
2 - Des Moines 5.69%
1 - Davenport 7.61%
Dec
09
Miles To Go
Steve from the Argus was last to leave. The last of the media, that is. The discussion at Joe’s Barbershop would end with everyone holding hands in prayer, but the media was long gone by then. The television cameras got their video bites early and left to make the 9:00 / 10:00 news. The QCTimes...
Dec
05
On The Move
The City of Davenport moved to Oklahoma City. So did Bettendorf, LeClaire and Eldridge. Not really, of course. We’re still here. But the combined population of Davenport, Bettendorf, LeClaire and Eldridge moved to Oklahoma City in the past twenty years. 457,386 in 1993. 610,613 today.
Four...
Dec
01
Cold Shoulder ?
The City is midway through a 20 year agreement with the Figge Art Center that will provide more than $21.5 million in cash and rights to the City’s art collection, which is insured for more than $16 million. This $37.5 million contribution was not mentioned in the Times’ December 1 editorial.
The...
Dec
01
Tracks
True story. “Back in Black” was an album. The first two tracks on side two were in heavy rotation on the FM stations of the era, but I’ve always thought the second track on side one was the best. “Shoot to Thrill” has a guitar and drum progression that doesn’t need lyrics to be a great rock...
Nov
28
Craig’s Friday Countdown CIP Top 20
Staff has compiled 360 potential projects into a FY16 – 21 Capital Improvement Program wishlist. Council members have been asked to rank their top twenty projects as a starting point for budget discussions in January and February. The list is available here, for your review. I’m the hired help,...
Nov
26
Hatrack
“You’re taller than you look on television”, the cashier advises. “And happier than I look in the paper”, I reply, bringing a smile. Who knew buying a snack at the gas station would summarize my public life so neatly. Just a random guy, walking in to conduct a minor transaction. But there’s no...
