MASON CITY – Fourth Ward City Council candidate Matt Marquardt made it official today, turning in to the City Clerk in Mason City the required petition signatures and the notarized affidavit of candidacy form.
“I’m very confident in my campaign at this time,” Marquardt said Monday afternoon. “I have knocked on my share of doors so far. The reception has been great. I reluctantly turned down a home-cooked meal at one home as I had a lot of stops to make yet that evening. I came back the next day to chat some more. I’ve made a lot of new friends and found out a lot of interesting information.”
Marquardt is the only official candidate for Fourth Ward City Council, although the incumbent Janet Solberg claims she is running.
“I wish Mrs. Solberg the best in life, but it’s time to move forward with new leadership in the Fourth Ward,” Marquardt said. “Mrs. Solberg learned early on after taking office that attacking City employees – running up legal bills for the taxpayers in the process, attempting to take over the City’s insurance business, using her clout as a Council member against a Latino Church, and calling the police on her neighbors is not acceptable representation. I was told by residents in Central Heights that Mrs. Solberg complained about small children who waited for the school bus near her house, and they were forced to move. We deserve better, a representative that cares about all the citizens and reacts to their needs.
“I formally invite Mrs. Solberg to a debate at the Mason City Library on a date and time we can agree upon. I will clear my schedule to accommodate hers. Our library director will facilitate a location in the library where the public can attend and ask questions.
“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)
