From NIT reader:
Dear North Iowa Today,
I wanted to send this in to your newsroom. I cannot use my name because the mayor and his followers will seek retribution against my business if they know who I am. I sent a complaint to Terry Branstad about his appointment of Mayor Bookmeyer to Vision Iowa Board and I got this reply a few days later. I think this reply falls short. I’ve been a life-long Democrat but voted for Terry every election because I trust his leadership. However his appointment of Bookmeyer has shaken me. I told him I disagreed and I got this response (see email below.) I feel like the governor can do better than this in addressing my complaint.
Thanks for you time in looking at this.
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Terry E. Branstad
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Kim Reynolds
GOVERNOR LT. GOVERNOR
April 10, 2014
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXXX North XXXXXXX Avenue
Mason City, IA 50401-1027
Dear XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you for contacting the Office of Governor Terry E. Branstad with your concerns about the Vision Iowa Board.
The Iowa Code mandates that all appointments be gender and party balanced. Additionally when resignations or new member appointments occur, the Iowan has to meet the requirements set by Iowa Code. If you would like more information about Boards and Commissions please go online to https://openup.iowa.gov/.
Again, thank you for contacting the office of Governor Terry Branstad. If you have any further questions or concerns please contact us by calling 515-281-5211.
Sincerely,
Office of the Governor
Ben Hammes, Boards and Commissions Director
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Publisher’s note: NIT has learned that a number of persons who complained to Governor Terry Branstad got this generic response and did not specifically address the concerns articulated by these citizens.