Dubuque V. Cedar Rapids (Marion: property taxes, housing, jobs)

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by DMRyan

jasper, aren't you being a little too harsh on Dubuque? The downtown is unsafe? I've had the fortune of spending a decent amount of time in Dubuque over the past year and I never felt unsafe in downtown. I admittingly haven't hung out in the dive bars of the north side of downtown or near the Washington Neighborhood where it gets a little sketchier, but to say by and large that downtown is unsafe is a misnomer.

The downtown area of Dubuque which I consider the town clock area has had its share of problems with crime. I do know the Dubuque police department has made an effort to clean things up. Perhaps things are better now. Quite frankly I don't see anything worthwhile to draw me to downtown area to check it out.

Jasper

[DBQer]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

Dubuque does have an attractive downtown that is dead after 5 PM and not all that safe at night.

Cedar Rapids has much more job growth. Dubuque jobs are mostly tied to tourism industry and low paying.

Jasper

All of these statements are false. Sorry, but they just are.

If you can't find something to do in downtown Dubuque after 5:00, then you either 1.) aren't looking, or 2.) are too hard to please! The downtown has dining, entertainment, and nightlife activities all over the place. Theaters, restaurants, bars/clubs, gambling, sports events, concerts, etc...

On the safety thing... again, false. Is there crime? Yes. Is it out of hand? No. Most crime happens in areas that entertainment patrons would NOT be in anyway, so to be worried about it is ludicrous. I work in downtown Dubuque myself, and have never feared for my safety, so give me a break!

On jobs... more falsities. The tourism sector is growing in DBQ, but the jobs created there are miniscule compared to the financial, insurance, publishing, manufacturing, and educational-sector job growth. If you want specifics, I can give them, but anyone who lives in, or frequents the city knows that the growth is across ALL economic divisions.

Dubuque has led the state in job growth over the last few years, and puts CR to shame on % job creation.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by DBQer

All of these statements are false. Sorry, but they just are.

If you can't find something to do in downtown Dubuque after 5:00, then you either 1.) aren't looking, or 2.) are too hard to please! The downtown has dining, entertainment, and nightlife activities all over the place. Theaters, restaurants, bars/clubs, gambling, sports events, concerts, etc...

On the safety thing... again, false. Is there crime? Yes. Is it out of hand? No. Most crime happens in areas that entertainment patrons would NOT be in anyway, so to be worried about it is ludicrous. I work in downtown Dubuque myself, and have never feared for my safety, so give me a break!

On jobs... more falsities. The tourism sector is growing in DBQ, but the jobs created there are miniscule compared to the financial, insurance, publishing, manufacturing, and educational-sector job growth. If you want specifics, I can give them, but anyone who lives in, or frequents the city knows that the growth is across ALL economic divisions.

Dubuque has led the state in job growth over the last few years, and puts CR to shame on % job creation.

Dubuque job figures have been creatively skewed to appear more robust than factual.

As far as crime in Dubuque, buy a police scanner and find out how much crime there really is. Media has been issued gag order to not report a lot of the racial crimes that are frequently happening that would make town look bad and hurt city image and in turn take away tourism buck that town is desperately going after.

Jasper

[DBQer]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

Dubuque job figures have been creatively skewed to appear more robust than factual.

As far as crime in Dubuque, buy a police scanner and find out how much crime there really is. Media has been issued gag order to not report a lot of the racial crimes that are frequently happening that would make town look bad and hurt city image and in turn take away tourism buck that town is desperately going after.

Jasper

Wow. Any facts to back up your assertions...?

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by DBQer

Wow. Any facts to back up your assertions...?

Yes I do have facts and when I run for mayor of Dubuque, I will reveal everything along with comprehensive plan to revitalize Dubuque.

Jasper

[Periwinkle04]

Having grown up in eastern Iowa and since lived all over the country, I can rate these areas pretty well.

NUMBER ONE is Iowa City. Hands down. Best arts, shopping, athletics, homes, etc. Fine place to live. Smaller community but TONS to do and lovely areas, including the reservoir. Right on I-80 for convenience to Rock Island, and close to the C.R. airport for flights.

Number two is Dubuque. Beautiful and nice folks. Closer to Chicago if you want to get there. I lived there for my first two years of college (Loras) and it's a nice smaller city. I'd live there again, but would greatly prefer Iowa City given the choice.

Number three is Bettendorf or the Quad Cities.

Number four is C.R. Really, trust me on this, it has some nice areas, but no personality. And the first time you smell Quaker Oats you will wish, heartily, that you picked someplace else. I grew up 40 miles north of Marion and we smelled Quaker Oats on some summer days, and it don't smell like no oatmeal

[SharpHawkeye]

I always thought one of the cool things about living in Dubuque would be being so close to Madison. Plus it's beautiful country.

Yeah, I unfortunately have to agree with you on CR. It very much feels like a stagnant city at the moment...no momentum, no personality. Maybe they'll get their act together someday soon, though. One can hope.

It does sorta smell like oatmeal though...dry, smoldering oatmeal.

[Clint_Noname]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

Yes I do have facts and when I run for mayor of Dubuque, I will reveal everything along with comprehensive plan to revitalize Dubuque.

All right. If you have proof of this Dubuque conspiracy, let's hear it.

Originally Posted by SharpHawkeye

Yeah, I unfortunately have to agree with you on CR. It very much feels like a stagnant city at the moment...no momentum, no personality. Maybe they'll get their act together someday soon, though. One can hope.

Yeah, but at least it has low crime, a low cost of living, and excellent schools. I wouldn't mind raising a family there.

Originally Posted by metro223

I believe I said around there, such as: North Scott, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, etc...

I know. I was just making sure everybody knew to stay away from Davenport proper.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by Clint_Noname

All right. If you have proof of this Dubuque conspiracy, let's hear it.

Dubuque has had a lot of racial tension since the eighties when Mayor Brady and the Dubuque hierarchy got the brilliant idea to go out and recruit 100 minorities and find them a place to live and jobs. (There wasn't a 100 jobs for unemployed Dubuquers trying to find work) What followed was cross burnings, KKK involvement, increased crime and national media attention. Since then, Dubuque has been trying to shake the racism tag and you don't read near as much in the paper about the racial violence and crimes taking place. However it is still very real as listening to a scanner or having police friends will attest.

As far as the so called job growth numbers being skewed, Dubuque takes number of jobs and then multiplies that amount by how many publications and websites jobs are listed and comes up with total available jobs. I remember Dubuque boasting 2400 jobs available. LOL what a farce. Dubuque has been trying to get All American City status for a while and stopped at nothing to get it.

Dubuque does have some good points but needs a shake up with city council and more progressive thinking people running the town. Dubuque can be much more than a tourist destination.

Jasper

[Periwinkle04]

Jasper, most people don't know and don't care about 1) something that happened in the 80's; and 2) aren't as into the politics as you are. I've lived places that had good employment and high unemployment, and my day to day life just wasn't affected.

Dubuque is a pretty city that is already more than a tourist destination. When I drive through every summer we take detours around the city, and I think Dubuque has done a good job of preserving its beauty. An aesthetic environment is important and affects behavior - in other words, people appreciate it, are proud of it, and keep it up.