The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About1999-07-27 Correspondence An iridependent newspaper established in 1883 . '. Jo~ Hladky. President and PublisMr " : ". ', ' :' Cl~ck Peters Vic~ President and" , : " ' ~": . ~. ' Chief O~r~ng Of{~er .' .K~ Slaughter. tt~ Pmsi&~nt end. Print a~ Online Publishing, Jeffy Elsea, EdiCt of ~itorial Page~ and EdiWrial B~ Chairman Mark Bowden, Managin~ Editor GAZETTE EDITORIALS Keep dogs away from crowds, playgrounds PRINKLED AMONG SPECTATORS at last weekend's Freedom Festival were dogs. Most of S them were on leashes. But did they belong in a crowd? Several Gazette staffers, surveying the scene Sunday night, shook their heads at seeing a woman and a pair of big dogs threading their way through the crowd. Now a Marion woman has brought the issue to the fore, with her letter to The Gazette (this page) and her comments to the Cedar Rapids City Council, as reported Wednesday and Thursday. She has a good point: Perhaps the leash law alone is not enough. Perhaps there should be a law banning dogs from public events and playgrounds. But how would such a law be written? And why must there be a law to say it? Why can't the owners of dogs figure this out on their own? One key to mastering a dog is understanding how it thinks: Dogs are pack animals. When a dog lives with people, it considerS:the members of a household as a pack and the do~ believes its job is to protect those pack members. Take the dog into a crowd, and the dog is overwhelmed with sights and sounds and smells -- and signals that threaten its security. Thus the security of others is threatened. Dogs bite, sometimes 'ferociously, and people might be surprised at how often they do. The writer talked with:' Gazette opinion page staff about what she had witnessed=a.t_ a recent concert in Marion: Dogs feeling uncomfortable, seeking comfort from their owners and getting none, surrounded by food that was inaccessible and people-who were strangers. Why take your dog with you and make it misera- ble? Why subject your neighbors to the danger of dog bites, if something unforeseeable sets off your ani- mal?. Some people genuinely believe a companion animal is a worthy companion even in a crowd. Others are taking the dog along. so they can intimidate other humans. For people too insensitive to imagine what's good for a dog -- or too inconsiderat.e toward the safety of fellow human beings -- the city councils of Marion, Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids ought to consider jointly researching, writing and passing a consistent ordi- nance that restricts dogs from playgrounds and public gatherings. A joint action is advisable because in one metro area, people who cross borders so freely should know what to expect. It's to9 bad the law and authorities have to make up for Wba,t should be common sense. July 17, 1999 Thomas G. Wemette, Ph.D. 26 Mohawk Terrace Keokuk, IA 52632 The Honorable Ernest W. Lehman, Mayor City of Iowa City 410 East Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Dear Mayor Lehman: 3f(2) JU:'_ i 9 1999 CiTY MANAGER'S OFFICE On Thursday, July 15, 1999 1 received a ticket for parking on a lower level of the Old Capitol Parking. Ramp. I should have received this ticket and do not contest that fact, however, I would like to bring to your attention that perhaps it is time for the City of Iowa City to rethink the ordinance that resulted in this ticket being issued. I parked in the ramp shortly after 9:00 a.m. to shop in mall and downtown Iowa City for Sidewalk Days being held at that time. I was actually two to three parking places before the No Parking 6-10 a.m. area ended. The authorized area appeared to be full and there were numerous vehicles in earlier center section that were parked and receiving tickets at the time. I was in viohtion also and have sent my check to your appropriate office. I would ask you to revisit this ordinance for the following reasons: The present ordinance does not promote or encourage people to shop at the mall or in downtown Iowa City. Does it drive more people to Coral Ridge? , Even when we were leaving after noon - there were numerous spaces available in the lower levels of the ramp. I recognize that the ordinance was passed to not have students and other persons take parking spaces for shoppers before stores open, however, is the ordinance needed year around? Having attended the University of Iowa, had children in the past and present attend the University and being a frequent visitor to Iowa City for shopping, eating, and University events, I have always felt encouraged to go downtown until this incident. Even though I deserved this ticket - it is a message to me to go to elsewhere for shopping and entertainment in the Iowa City area. Tom Wemette City of Iowa City MEMORANDUM Date: To: From: Re: July 15, 1999 City Clerk Doug Ripley, JCCOG Traffic Engineering Planner ~e/ Relocation of Handicapped Parking Meters in 300 block of E. Iowa Avenue As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Unless directed otherwise by the City Council, this action will occur on or shortly after July 30, 1999. Action Pursuant to Section 9-1-3A(14) of the City Code, signage will be removed indicating metered spaces I267 and I237 as handicapped only. The two spaces will be replaced by designated metered space 1252 on the north side of Iowa Avenue as available for handicapped parking only. Comment This action is being taken due to the loss of the two spaces on the south side of Iowa Avenue due to construction on the Iowa Avenue Multi-Use Parking Facility. Usage reports on both spaces show very low use. The one space being relocated will be near the crosswalk at Linn Street. Other spaces are not immediately available due to the lack of curb ramps on the north side. If usage shows an additional space is required, it will be located as close as possible to the replaced space. jw/merrVdr-iowa.doc July 7, 1999 TO: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - CLERK/TYPIST - RECREATION We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Clerk/Typist - Recreation. Paula Griffin IOWA CITY CML 2Eedy, Chair SERVICE ATTEST: M~'~nKarr, City Clerk · 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 , 1319} 356-5000 * FAX (319) 356-5009 July 7, 1999 TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination COORDINATOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator. Colleen Mary Copper IOWA CITY CML SERVICE ATTEST: Marian Karr, City Clerk 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 · (319) 356-5000 * FAX (319) 356-5009 July 2, 1999 TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - MAINTENANCE WORKER I - STREETS We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker I - Streets. Richard Havel IOWA CITY CIVIL C~hael ~~y, Chair SERVICE ATTEST: Marian Karr, City Clerk 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET * IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 * (319) 356-5000 · FAX (319} 356-5009 July 2, 1999 TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - MAINTENANCE WORKER III- STREETS We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Maintenance Worker Ill - Streets. Robert Wood IOWA CITY CIVIL SERVICE C~chael~ Chair ~chael W. Kenn y, ATTEST: Man~a~-Karr, City Clerk 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET · IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1826 * (319) 356-5000 * FAX (319) 356-5009 July 7, 1999 TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - SR ACCOUNT CLERK - TREASURY We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Sr. Account Clerk - Treasury. Karen Sheldon IOWA CITY CML SERVICE ATTEST: M~'~Karr, City Clerk 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET '* IOWA CITY. IOWA 52240-1826 * (319) 356-5000 * FAX (319) 356-5009 July 2, 1999 RECEIVED JUL 14 '1'm TO: RE: The Honorable Mayor and the City Council Civil Service Entrance Examination - TREASURY CASltIER We, the undersigned members of the Civil Service Commission of Iowa City, Iowa, do hereby certify the following named person(s) as eligible for the position of Treasury Cashier. Christian West IOWA CITY CIVIL Michael W. Kennedy, Chair SERVICE ATTEST: 410 EAST WASHINGTON STREET * IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240-1816 * (319} 356-5000 * FAX (319) 356-5009 Carol Horton Iowa Avenue Parking Ramp