In the past several months, petitions from two separate developers (THF Realty-Wal-Mart, and Jersey Ridge Partners-Steve Schalk and associates) for rezoning of nearly 300 acres north of 53rd Street, between Elmore and Eastern avenues, have passed through Planning & Zoning without most of the crucial questions being answered.

Can a politician be more obvious in his efforts to further his own political career than Alderman Roland Caldwell during last Wednesday's City Council Meeting? The platitudes were flowing like syrup on pancakes from most of the aldermen, but especially from Caldwell, who is seeking the Alderman-at-Large seat in next month's special election.

The January 27, 2001, Des Moines Register article on both Davenport's and Cedar Rapids' decision to censor "Public with Business" is a great example of how the media can misguide the public. The reporter gave no context for any of the pertinent aspects of the story.

I spoke too soon!!! In a recent editorial (Reader issue #304, January 3, 2001), I lauded Davenport's City Council for continuing the policy of airing council meetings on public television. However, during its annual goal-setting sessions, which took place last Sunday and Monday, January 14 and 15, this same council voted 8-2 in favor of censoring the last portion of their meetings, commonly referred to as "Public with Business (PWB)," by purposely withholding it from an ever-growing viewership.