MASON CITY – Debate led to petitions. Now, the ante is being upped as donations are being collected to repel a possible hog plant development that still has a chance.
The endeavor is being led by Representative Sharon Steckman, who announced late this afternoon that a fund raising campaign has been launched.
“Hot off the press, just created!” Mrs. Steckamn proclaimed via social media, linking to a “Go Fund Me” website titled “No Prestage” where financial contributions can be made. “Also there is an account at Clear Lake Bank & Trust,” she continued.
Joining Sharon Steckman in headlining the cause are Chris Peterson, Independent Hog Farmer, of Clear Lake; Pat McGarvey, Former Mason City Interim Administrator, of
Mason City; and Dr. Paul and Barbara MacGregor of Mason City.
According to a description, the “No Prestage” Go Fund Me page:
“Was formed by volunteer citizens and community leaders to give a voice to the vast members of the community that do not want Prestage Farms in our city or state. We must stop this industry! Our quality of life depends on it.
Even though the Mason City Council voted 3-3 and the Prestage deal was defeated, parties of vested interest within Mason City are trying to bring a new deal back to the Council.
Citizens that want better opportunities for our town, and are concerned about the many varying detrimental aspects that come along with this type of industry, have joined together.
The funds raised will help offset printing, mailing and advertising expenses, among other bulk costs, neccessary to stop Prestage Farms.
Our volunteers have already been financing and contributing to this cause, while agreeing to cover their own fuel or any personal expenses. These funds will only go toward contacting the masses and any means needed to put an end to this.”
Mrs. Steckman gave a $100 donation today.
So far, there has been no word on any fund raising efforts by those in favor of the Prestage Foods pork plant development, which promises to bring nearly 2,000 jobs and well over a million dollars in tax revenue to Mason City each year.
Pro-Pork plant folks have a petition available to be signed, spearheaded by realtor Rick Mathes. It is called “Hear us too Mason City”, which is for people who may be “disappointed that a vocal minority kept Prestage from bringing 2000 new jobs to our area” and “want to let the City Council know there’s still time to change their minds and bring a project with a $750 million regional impact to Mason City”.
At this time, Mason City and surrounding areas are buzzing on the prospects of the Prestage Foods hog plant development getting a second chance. Sources continue to tell NIT that the three council members who voted against the project are being lobbied hard to come on board under a brand new agreement with Prestage. The word is, this time, “stakeholders” and certain council members want a unanimous, guaranteed 6-0 vote before bringing the deal forward in an official capacity. The terms of this new agreement are being hammered out right now and could be made public in the next few weeks.
Thank you Sharon!
Donations!Right these are the same people that help enact our welfare laws.Reps agree to let people be on welfare at certain level of incomes.The agree to let them claim welfare for years and years.So they are reponsibility for letting Iowa be easy target for cheap wages then,don’t you think.Then they pretend to care but most haven’t ever struggled to make ends meat.Want people off welfare enact leaner laws forcing people to work a job or 2nd if the must to,to survive.That is what I did to support my family.ALOT of people have this type of attitude that the world owes them because they are alive and must be taken care off until the time comes they feel to get off their dead @as and make something of their life.All it takes is a good work ethic and things come your way from your own Blood,Sweat.People have gotten lazy because they have been aloud too.If they have limitations thats fine,but you see a lot of those people trying their best at least.But if plain lazy you get 12 months and you better have work or you starve or go to Community Kitchen.I know sounds harsh,but some must have tough love to kick their @as in gear.
If you were to ask residents of this area what city would you like Mason City to be like? I would bet money none would answer Austin, Storm Lake,Sioux city., Denison, Marshaltown or Ottumwa. Enough said.
I see a bankruptcy in the Prestage future, burning MC to it’s core.
IF this issue comes back to the table to re vote, MC is done for, divided even more due to politics and egos. Watch businesses relocate, people leave to area towns. Watch confinements pop up just outside the 2.5 barrier and our welfare percentages soar. THE NUMBERS DO NOT WORK.
This is the first time I’ve ever agreed with Steckman on anything. Kudos to you, Mrs Steckman.
What does this pork barrel project cost the city of Mason City in T. I’ ‘F taxes -welfare – extra teachers -new schools – environlmental damage – etc etc – OUTWEIGHTS the benefits !
Bravo, Sharon thank you for looking out for our cities best interest. Keep that environmental diaster away from our families!
I don’t do social media but I want to donate. Can someone post a direct link to steckmans funding page?
https://www.gofundme.com/noprestage
You can also write a check to the “NO PRESTAGE FUND” and by tomorrow I will post a PO Box for you to mail it too. Thank you for your concern.
Clear Lake Bank and Trust
“NO PRESTAGE Fund”
322 Main Avenue – PO Box 8
Clear Lake, IA 50428
Clear Lake Bank and Trust
“NO PRESTAGE Fund”
325 State Street
Garner, IA 50438
Clear Lake Bank and Trust
“NO PRESTAGE Fund”
425 Tiffany Drive
Mason City, IA 50401
Clear Lake Bank and Trust
“NO PRESTAGE Fund”
100 East State Street
Mason City, IA 50401
Great, will take care of this weekend!
She needs to stay out of it ! She is supposed to represent all of us !
If she stays out of it, who does she represent? There are two sides, she can’t represent both. Besides, I think she is doing this as a concerned citizen not a state rep.
U really can’t separate the two. She doesn’t represent my point of. View and this is not a state driven issue..it is local.
You are right, this is not a state driven issue it is a Mason City issue. You do know that she lives in Mason City right? Just because her job is a state rep doesn’t mean that she can’t have a personal opinion on this or any other subject. She isn’t representing your view, she is representing hers.
It was a state driven issue when brandstand threw in his share of state money. And he seems to have something to say about it
And by the same feeble minded logic our mayor should stay out of it as well? Imbecile!
She represents you, whether you know it or not. Unless you are one of the 10% that will make 90 % of the profits.
Let see now: Rep. Steckman has never gotten involved in a City Council controversy in all the years she’s been in the Iowa House. It’s now election year, and she has a challenger in this fall’s election. Hummm!!! Think there’s any connection???
NO there’s no connection because if she was doing this because of politics and elections she would sit back and not rock the boat at all. Just like many politicians you might support.
As soon as they raise $28,000, they will be able to pay the wages of one shift working one hour. And that’s new money brought into the local economy. In one hour.
When you put it that way it makes it even clearer! That would mean everyone in the plant would get $14 before taxes for that hour. That is not a livable wage for young family’s and most will need some kind of welfare to help make ends meet. Welfare that you and I and the local economy will pay for. That pretty much offsets any benefit of “new” money into the local economy.
According to this, their baby mama can make $20,000 worth of benefits on Iowa welfare. Then the $14 wage isn’t so bad for pocket money. That’s what they’ll do.
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2013/08/19/work-or-welfare-what-pays-more/