MASON CITY – Matt Marquardt today declared his intention to seek the the Fourth Ward City Council seat in Mason City.
Quote from Matt Marquardt:
“Today, August 6th, 2013, I am announcing my candidacy for the Fourth Ward City Council seat in Mason City. If I am elected, I will seek to bring a sense of inclusion back to City Hall for the rank and file citizens of Mason City. Contrary to the behavior of our current Fourth Ward Council member, I will seek to have a response to any and all relevant concerns brought to me by the citizens of Mason City and would not solely rely on City Hall staff for every answer. I would instead seek on my own – with staff input when necessary – the best alternatives to each problem presented while working with my colleagues on the council toward that end. I would treat each citizen with the same sense of urgency and fairness that many say City Hall now lacks. Cronyism and favoritism would be eradicated and not tolerated. The city and its citizens come first at all times. I would bring to City Hall a compassion for each citizen and his or her everyday problems and struggles. Lastly, I would bring that same sense of urgency to tackling the City’s issues and working towards growth in a harmonious community.
“The Fourth Ward is not just my home now… I was raised in the Fourth Ward. I grew up here. My family’s home for many years was at 604 South Monroe; you’ll find a Casey’s store there now. I attended Grant School and Madison School. I watched Shopko under construction from across the street. I played with my friends at Big Blue when it was a wilderness and South Pierce Avenue was a dirt trail. My dad still lives in the fourth ward. I attended Mason City High School, NIACC and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in History. I returned to Mason City from college in 1999 as a single parent. I am proud to say my son Chris is now 15 and plays Mohawk Football. I have since become a landlord and a small business owner. I am a frequent attendee of City Council meetings as well as Cerro Gordo Board of Supervisor meetings and Mason City School Board meetings. I feel I am well-versed on the issues and look forward to debate on those matters. I feel I would bring a new sense of energy, urgency and perspective to the City Council. I aspire to represent ALL CITIZENS… not just a select few.
“I look forward to a successful campaign and to serving the people of Mason City.”
BIO
Full name: Matthew Earl Marquardt
Birth Date: October 1, 1972
Profession: Entrepreneur; Owner and Publisher of NorthIowaToday.com
Family: Son, Chris, age 15
Education: Mason City High School class of 1991, University of Iowa class of 1996 (B.A., History)
Good luck Matt I really believe you will do a great job, just wish you were running for mayor we need someone sober running our city. Dave
Matt can bring a different view to the council.I think he is very bright and committed. The challenge will be to create working relationships with the council and Mayor. Believe that Matt will do his due diligence and try his best to gain the trust of others. Good luck.
I appreciate this comment, thank you. As only one of six votes on the council, you are right, I would be tasked with finding common ground while making sound judgements and rational arguments supporting my views. This would be my goal; one council member can’t do it all alone. I honestly believe my perspectives on the issues would be only slightly divergent from that of the majority of the council. Is there a problem with discussing the pros and cons of any agenda item, versus as it is done now, only the pros? Why tell the people of Mason City half the story? This does not serve the best interests of the community, in my opinion. I simply aim to widen the perspective here and offer more involvement to the community.
Matt, I was very happy to get on-line today and read that you are running for city council. My only regret is that you do not live in my ward – if you did I would vote for you! Democracy is “government of the people, by the people, for the people” versus for a chosen few. Thanks for running.
Carol, thank you for your support. If you can encourage anyone in the Fourth Ward to cast their vote in my favor, that is appreciated. I also have yard signs on the way.
sharp dressed dapper man right there 😉
Matt is a slam-dunk for ward 4. Only Jesus would get our vote before he would. Thanks Matt for trying to give us little folk a voice again. We lost that in the 1980’s and it never returned.
~ Frank & Lois
We are the bandfestival town, lets figure out how to have a whole bunch of good name bands out at the events center and nothing against the clubhouse manager or the course superintendent at highland, but for sure is time for a change, highland is junk and could be so much nicer of a course to bring people in. We are just happy with status quo there. It all went down hill when the city ran Pritchard out. Clear Lake was junk, but their city bought the course, hired a real greenskeeper and clubhouse manager and turned it around. Lots of golfers go to Sping Valley or Rice Lake for being a nice course, Gansen needs to go….we could have a nice course, but he has no pride out there. Tee boxes are terrible, weeds growing everywhere and the greens are terrible. Could be a course lots of out of towners want to play with some TLC and someone that knows what they are doing. The guy cuts down trees and does not replace them.
Matt, Glad to see that you are running for council. I know that you will do a great job when elected. We need people in there that will question what is going on and not just be “yes men”. Best of luck.
Thank you Rob, you’re support is very important to me. You have my word I will be a hard-working public servant who won’t take people like yourself for granted.
Matt what is your opiniin of these two new candidates for the council??
Do you know who this mayor and council are like?
OK…get this….come a little closer…
They are all Nelly’s from little house on the Prairie!
Hahahalol
Here you go…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZnSs43KDng
WE KNOW YOU’LL DO A GREAT JOB!
Matt if you win. Are you going to fight to restore the Human Rights Commission?
I was not satisfied with how our council and mayor handled our Human Rights agency. There has been serious damage done to the department and commission. Only through frank discussion and more tough choices can we begin to fix the problem. If I am elected, the issue will be examined.
Matt, talking like a politician already.
Time will tell if Matt really could do a good job, but I bet he’ll sure stir things up. Personably I think he’s nothing but trouble. Trouble that is right here in River City. But what the heck go for it Matt. If you can really do better “Good luck” That’s just what this City needs. You sure to look like your mom, what a nice lady.
I was hopping for Matt to do a mayor run. Well maybe later. My best wishes.
A government that does the least does the best.
The only thing Janet has done is “second” motions.
Actually she also tried to force low income renters to purchase insurance, which she just happens to sell.
didn’t she sue the city over not paving streets, try to get a city worker fired over a dispute with her friend?
A responsible council person in the 4th ward is long overdue. We have gone fsr too long with some who’s main agenda was to shut down the church in her neighborhood. Lets hope Matt is only the beginning of real change in our community.
Jimmy, I must have missed that bit of news, could you please expand upon that story? Interested to hear/read the whole picture.
Thanks in advance.
Happy to oblige. I see the election of Marquardt as only the beginning in a sweeping change in this city on the political forefront. The council has been an embarrassment in relation to a city of this size, the fact that only 6,000 people vote out of so many more who could but won’t is something that needs attention. We have a part time mayor who has bullied himself into trying to run a city that is far above his abilities. All of this can be corrected simply by voting.
JJ, you ought to run for president. You’re already good at dodging the real question asked.
Good luck to you Matt. You are the best!
Matt, looking forward to the next few months! Good luck
Glad to see Matt in the running. Hell, I may have to register !!!!
Matt has always taken time at great lengths to speak with me on several occasions. I know he will give his best effort for M.C.
Thanks for showing the courage to stand tall these past years.
best wishes, wolfy
Bob, always a pleasure to speak with you, sir. Thank you for taking a moment to say these kind words.
-Matt
Way to go Matt!!!
Matt has or vote, Solberg has done nothing for this city, I mean nothing! Don”t let the door hit ya in the arse on the way out Janet!!
Glad to see that you are running. You will be a definite upgrade from Janet. Just don’t turn the meetings into MAX Moments. You are certainly very intelligent, hardworking and willing to dig into the issues. That’s good. We as a community need to move forward. We can’t stay in the past. The future is not packing plants or cement plants it’s a better educated workforce and more entrepreneurs. Please bring your energy and ideas forward to help make our community a better place for all of us.
I can’t tell you how much I look forward to this Fourth Ward race. Matt Marquardt will set new standards for the 4th ward, he will represent all those living there and will also keep a close eye on the rest of this city as well. He has my support and vote.
I want to make a proposal; I am going to support Matt financially and I know there are those of you out there who will do the same. Why not send a check….whatever size will be welcome. Send it to Matt at 20 13th Street SW, Mason City, IA 50401.
Thank you
Make sure they find out the name of his committee first. It cannot be a check to Matt– but to Matt Marquardt for 4th Ward or whatever it is..
That is just part of the Iowa election laws…
now, let the money flow……
I live in the fourth ward, and you have my vote, good luck….Jim Reed
Thank you Jim that means a lot.
-Matt
Thank you Matt. I am sure the drunkmeyer machine is already beating the brush for a stooge they can control.
Matt- great decision. I think you are a serious contender and look forward to your campaign. Good luck !
Way to go Matt!!!! This election is going to be interesting and exciting to say the least!!! Looking forward to hearing about other candidates.
I am nervous about about the Mayor’s race…. Man,, if a serious candidate does not emerge, we will be stuck with Bookie and that is seriously wrong!!
The only thing u may have to watch as a sitting council person is the reporting– and inside information. Sometimes, especially in Economic Development, you have to keep things quiet until the appropriate time. That many time is out of respect for workers in the towns where some businesses may be leaving. etc…
It will be a balancing act…..
Congratulations!!
Let Crookmeyer be Mayor again. He’s probably already squirming in his girdle over the possibility of having to work WITH Matt.
So you live in the 4th Ward? I note properties owned are in the 2nd Ward.
What’s that got to do with anything??? As a landlord, most have properties all over town. You just need to reside in the Ward to run for office.
This Matt does…
Looking forward to this race!!! I hope Solberg runs again so she can’t be beat by a landslide!!!
Geez Louise—
TYPO!!!!
I MEAN CAN BE BEAT BY A LANDSLIDE!!!1
Just wondering. No address with his name found except at assessor’s site.
Phone books no longer a reliable source due to cell phone usage.
might as well ask for his birth certificate while your at it.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Mr. Matt Marquardt, you have made a life changing decision. It is one I believe you will handle well.
All the Citizens of Mason City need representation. The forth ward is fortunate you have responded to that call.
You have my support.
Former Councilman-at Large,
Larrey Loeckle
Larry, your support means a lot to me and your advice and wisdom from time to time have been a great help. Thank you, my friend.
Nice Photo Matt – God Bless.
I hope you get it! Wish I could vote.
Good Luck Matt-You are not in my ward but you certainly have my full support. Now, if we can just get someone in the 2nd ward to run against Hickey maybe this town will have a chance.
Bye Bye Janet and GOOD RIDDANCE!!
Go Matt…GO!
Matt I dont live in your ward but good luck, we need you and a few others to change the IDIOTIC things going on here in good ole river city.
Thank you for this nice note and for your constructive comments here on NIT. You’re a welcome member to the community here.
Matt, I wish you well in your campaign. I feel the premise as you state, is ideal, governing for all the citizens, not just a few.
In a smaller town, it is hard not to know someone, or befriend a person of influence. Yet, the ability to make decisions for the good of the whole, while difficult at times, is keystone of our system of government.
Good Luck Matt! I know you will help bring common sense back to the council and representative to “all” of our citizens. Thanks for running!
Good luck Matt. Got to admit,unlike Peter, you are willing to put yourself out there for the voters to decide. This should get real interesting.
Thanks Reggie Red. I think running for City Council simply sets an example for other citizens, as we live in a democracy and we all should participate if we are able, whether by running for office or voting.
Your a good looking young man there Matt. You kind of remind me of Russ Crane and his older brother. It’s hard to believe you’re such a wild man behind the keyboard…a real rock and roller.
Which council person is your opposition, Matt? I can’t keep the wards straight.
I am the first declared candidate in the Fourth Ward. Janet Solberg holds the seat at this time.
bye bye janet!
Good luck Matt, you will have my full support.