The Communique

Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Opinion

By Cindy Petersen

A videotape has recently surfaced that shows Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran nodding off in the middle of a city council meeting. KGAN immediately began broadcasting the clips, portraying Halloran as bored and uncaring.

The television media appeared to lead the public into focusing on the mayor's dozing instead of what was actually being said at the city council meeting. The television media should have remained objective and handled the controversial story with more professionalism. They reported the story as though they had a personal vendetta against the mayor. After reading a news story online, I was able to get both sides of the story.

Halloran's comments to the reporter's questions were a bit vague but seemed genuine. She said that she didn't think she dozed off in meetings but she would get a physical just to make sure. She mentioned in her 2005 campaign that she suffered a mini-stroke in 1999 but hasn't had any problems since then.

Comments to the online article showed that several citizens took her napping personally, accusing her of not being compassionate to the needs of flood victims. Most thought that the mayor should resign in light of the situation but Halloran said that she had no plans to do so. At 72 years old, several citizens think she may be too old to handle the stress and pressure of a mayoral position. Halloran has been quoted as saying that she is only supposed to be in a part-time position but has been working up to 12 hour days since the flood in June.

I believe that the citizens of Cedar Rapids should give Mayor Halloran the benefit of the doubt when it comes to her physical and mental capabilities. She has done her part by agreeing to a physical and we should respect her decision not to resign.





By Heather Smith

The floods of 2008 devastated thousands of Cedar Rapids residents. They lost their homes, jobs, businesses, and, in some cases, everything the owned. The city has tried to help the flood victims by providing free trash pick up for debris, porta-potties for public use in the damaged areas, etc. They have also held special meetings where the city council members and the mayor are available to answer questions.

The most recent of these meetings was held on Sept. 3, in which the mayor, Kay Halloran, was filmed by a local news station sleeping during the questions. The head of our city, the person voted into office of mayor by the very people asking her for help, fell asleep. To me this shows complete disrespect and lack of concern.

After this newscast was shown another person sent video footage captured by their cell phone of the mayor sleeping during the "State of Linn County Luncheon" held on March 11. Granted, these meetings may not be the most entertaining events but as mayor of the city it is her job to pay attention . Falling asleep at any of these meetings is unacceptable.

There are many citizens of Cedar Rapids asking the mayor for her resignation. I agree with this request. If the mayor cannot get enough rest to pay attention at meetings, she should not be mayor. If Halloran has a physical ailment then she needs to go see a medical professional. If the mayor is in poor health then she needs to step aside and appoint someone to run the city in her place.

The city is in the middle of a major disaster. We need someone who is in good health and is willing and able to work the long hours and go the extra mile to get Cedar Rapids back on it's feet, not someone who sleeps through this time of great loss for so many of our residents.

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