City leaders in Cedar Rapids have launched a letter and phone call campaign as they fight for more federal flood relief. City Manager Jim Prosser is asking local residents to ask their friends and family members, especially those living in other states, to contact their federal lawmakers about the need to help Cedar Rapids recover.
"If they get 100 phone calls, that will have an impact. If they get 1,000…and there’s no reason to think we couldn’t generate 1,000…that’s really going to raise awareness," Prosser said. City leaders think lawmakers outside of Iowa don’t understand the extent of the damage in Cedar Rapids. Prosser says it’s important for people to emphasize the urgent need for more federal money.
"Funding five years from now is not really as helpful as funding right now…funding in the next few months. That’s what we’re looking for," Prosser said. He’s encouraging Cedar Rapids residents to talk to their friends and family members about the campaign over the holidays. Suggestions about what people can include in their letters or phone calls are posted on the city of Cedar Rapids’ website .