Commentary: Downtown Mason City
The enthusiasm shown by local media outlets is to be expected; the Globe Gazette and KGLO along with the local CBS television station are all in bed with the current city administration. There are more issues and unanswered questions in this magpie than there are between Israel and Palestine. Remember the burning plant that wanted to burn our waste? Bookmeyer was ready to jump into that in spite of the fact that these people were turned away from every city they approached. Bookmeyer even put Tornquist on the Landfill Board to try and ram it down their throats… didn’t happen, wasn’t enough. Another failure.
How does the saying go? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The late Steve Jobs C.E.O. of Apple had a sign on his office wall; it said “Question Everything” I think he might have known a thing or two. Remember if Bookmeyer’s wife gets a better job offer, he’s gone but you’re not. He followed the money here from Clinton, Iowa do you think for one minute he has found a home here, that this is journey’s end? Let’s all hope not.
I believe this Mall has filed for bankruptcy or is in receivership; I don’t follow that aspect of life but if I recall there are massive financial problems there. It sure is empty, at least 50% empty, with stores fleeing all the time. Now Bookmeyer and his minions want to pour in millions of dollars they do not yet have into this property. Add up how much Bookmeyer has cost this city in liability charges, stolen stamps and who knows what else; and please don’t be stupid enough to say “we’re insured” because anymore of those complaints that could take us once more into the settlement chamber might be the last time this city could find someone to insure us.
Hotels… it seems there are more hotel rooms in this city than there are people. Now some brilliant developer is going to pour a couple million more into more rooms. Is that what you think? I was in business before computers; then there were thousands of salespeople traveling the highways calling on customers and filling hotel rooms and restaurants. That is over with and has been over since these same clients started to buy “on line” saving millions in road expenses. You better wake up here and if you’re smart you’ll stay wide awake.
by Peter Children of Mason City
