MASON CITY – Mason City Chamber of Commerce President Steve Noto made it clear in a recent newsletter to dues-paying members that his organization is “standing firmly in-between our members and adversaries” as a perk of membership.
Even as the community and region as a whole is still reeling – and trying to heal – from the ravages of the fatal Prestage slaughterhouse debacle, Chamber President Steve Noto used language in the June 2016 Chamber of Commerce newsletter that would seem to throw down a gauntlet between members of the Chamber of Commerce and persons he deemed to be “adversaries“.
Noto implies in the newsletter that the $240 million Prestage Foods slaughterhouse plant was sailing along toward approval “following 6-0 and 5-1 votes”. His chamber had passed a “Resolution of Support” of Prestage early in the process, buffering plant cheerleaders like Eric Bookmeyer and three of his council members who were sold on the deal right out of the gate. Then, Noto says, the Chamber of Commerce leaders let up and allowed “complacency” to set in, somehow giving Chamber of Commerce “adversaries” the opening they needed to turn Prestage away by convincing three council members to say “no” to the deal.
Noto narrates a sad tale of defeat and soul-searching in the end for the Chamber, Bookmeyer and his team of three council members, as they all had to kiss Prestage goodbye.
“Following the council’s tie vote on the third reading, which in essence killed the development agreement, many of our members who supported this growth initiative contacted us asking “What happened?” “Why wasn’t the Chamber more active in promoting this project?” Following 6-0 and 5-1 votes at the first two readings, we were simply guilty of complacency.”
Noto claims after the final vote on May 3, Chamber members are “reluctant to step forward given the acrimonious environment that has arisen in our community, and have asked the Chamber to serve as that ‘buffer.'”
Noto says a perk of membership in the Mason City Chamber of Commerce is “education and advocacy on business issues,” in which, apparently, Chamber leadership spoon-feeds information to members who are just too busy or not bright enough to keep up with important local issues. He explained that, “in essence, the Chamber keeps tabs on issues that will impact the local business climate and brings that information back to the board and the membership.
“When the local environment gets dicey, we have the Chamber standing firmly in-between our members and adversaries, which provides us with a buffer,” Noto wrote.
Noto did not elaborate on who these “adversaries” of the Chamber are. He could mean folks from out of town. Or perhaps he refers to anyone who disagrees with himself, Mayor Eric Bookemeyer, or perhaps Director Robin Anderson. Maybe he even means NIT. He did not elaborate on how his Chamber of Commerce would “stand up to” these people.
“This is especially important in situations in which we are likely to advocate for a certain position,” Noto said. The Chamber of Commerce is a national lobbying organization that has supported the tobacco industry, for example, and other causes.
“Staff and directors do their homework, ask lots of questions, and request additional research from credible sources,” Noto claims. “In my opinion, this process represents one of the most important benefits of Chamber membership. Our members can continue to focus on their own businesses, with the assurance that the Chamber is actively representing their interests.”
Noto is a awful employer treats us horrible , sexual harrament, and people get by with it! Sips on his vodka and snobs us like we are pissants! He’s where he is because of his wife’s daddy! Jim is a great guy…… He is missed in the orginazation.
I will bet you a dime to a dog terd that the person that gets elected in the upcoming city council election will be a Chamber Of Commerce lacky and buddy of Mayor Bookmeyer.
I don’t see any kind of an organized effort to get the vote out to rid (purge) the city of the ilk that has run Mason City into the ground.
Sadly, the system is rigged with a rigged propaganda press system. Unless you educate and inspire the voting public on the issues, you will end up what the same old crap. You can not depend on the Globe or NIT to reach the voting public.
That folks takes organization and effort. That folks is what the Chamber of Crime has going for it. They will win the day!
Sorry!
Sadly, voter turnout is the city’s worst enemy.
HA, does the chamber even have a leg to stand on? I don’t believe they have the leverage to go after anyone but their own members. Really a powerless, useless group of assholes if step back and look at the organization.
Sadly, in this town, the power structure is like this. Our disgusting Mayor, that power-hungry narcissist Robin Anderson, and their tight circle. They use any method necessary to see that their agenda is driven. Even as bad as bullying dear Alex to death… They are the most despicable people I have ever seen. I’d be friends with Charles Manson before I would befriend any one of those phonies. And, then we have Steve Noto ..another megalomaniac, spouting hate… and stating that the Chamber will stand between its members and its adversaries… Does he really think that the entire membership thinks like he and Robin do ?? I have never heard anyone say anything good about the Chamber since Robin came aboard, but when you are insulated by hand-picked Board Members and their ilk… it is what it is. It will never change until the Mayor is gone and the Cerro Gordo Co. Republican party is no longer in charge…. Their mean and heavy handed tactics continue to ruin this fine city …
He can go f himself and the rest of his cronies.
The Club is the Mason City Country Club you will find all of them drinking and golfing on Men’s day every single week during the work day.I know this as fact from serving them their drinks on the golf course at one time.
In other words he says F the little guy – Hillary schill. !
A shill, eh?
So, you’re saying that Steve Noto praises Hillary Clinton for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.
You’re an idiot.
Finally Anonymous wrote the TRUTH! Everyone has been afraid of saying all of it about Alex and Bookmeyer, Hickey is right next to him. Foul foul people. How fake was Bookmeyer at the funeral that he wasn’t suppose to be at. The good thing is that what conscience is left will eat Bookmeyer alive and he knows it.
Given the Chambers logic…if you’re not a member or supporter, then you are an advisory. In my opinion, that would be like saying; if you don’t subscribe to the Des Moines Register, then you must not be able to read.
adversary
The downtown Mafia needs to get run out of town. Lets begin the purging with the upcoming election.
For heavens sake polluters people need clean water, air, soil, this scripture applies, https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-11-18/, willingly destroying the earth is also destroying mankind.
This is a travesty ! So he doesn’t mention that Alex Kuhn was mercilessly bullied by the Mayor and was a contributing factor in his death! People in the know have read the emails from the Mayor and Alex’s boss at Henkel..Robin and the Mayor had the audacity to attend the funeral. Even though he was asked not to. At the visitation..his father was heard to say They killed my son…You should be ashamed Mr.Noto u arrogant POS..And Ms.Anderson..has ruined the Chamber of commerce..These people and their ilk is why Mason City no longer shines ! Noto is also making sure his children are clones..One of the son’s was heard to say when in elementary school…talking to a classmate…Are you going to the” Club” later ? .God help us ..and them !
This chamber as a whole is a joke. The majority of the citizens and many chamber members realized that this plant was not a good fit for Mason City. Our Mayor and other Council members are puppets to the chamber and it was refreshing to see three members stand up for the citizens and vote this down. I would hope that business’s would not renew their membership in the chamber as a way to show their discuss with the high and mighty attitude this group has developed.
I was once an MC Chamber member. I wised up and dropped my membership and would never consider joining again as long as Robin Anderson, Globe Gazette managers, Noto, and the others are involved in the organization. I’d consider Clear Lake Chamber, though, as they run a good outfit there that actually tries to do good things for the town and do not seek taxpayer money to do it. Robin Anderson takes from the city, she takes from the state, and she attacks the citizens. That is a plain fact.
This jerk is who he is because he married the boss’ daughter. If it weren’t for that, he’d be working as a laborer.
So who is the boss? And who is the daughter?
Jim Thompson is the founder, CEO, Chairman at Stoney Creek Hospitality Corp started in 1995.
It has the same business address as HPI Partners (Steve Noto) started in 2011 which coincides with the Park Inn restoration & opening.
Steve Noto is married to Jim Thompson’s daughter Jennifer.
Basically Jim set up Steve in the HPI group to run the Park Inn.
There are three business entities operating at the same address
Stoney Creek Hospitality Corp
Thompson Companies
HPI Partners
As far as the other comment about Steve Noto being a laborer if not married to Thompson’s daughter, doubt that as Noto has both a BBA & an MBA in finance.
However I am sure that marrying Thompson’s daughter definitely put him where he is today.
So the chamber is a lobbyist group that has an agenda? (sarcasm) Why is the city of Mason City always giving money, going on trips with, and listening (with agreement) to this special interest group. Mr Noto, last I knew this was a community full of self thinking citizens who organized and said no to what you think is a good idea for Mason City. So maybe you and your organization are the real adversaries in this community. If your groups mentality is our way or the hiway maybe your members establishments should be boycotted by what you call your adversaries.
The Chamber has always been the enemy of the working people in this town. They have kept wages (and continue to keep them) low. They have kept new business out that they considered a threat to their lifestyle and have cost us all. They should be disbanded and run out of town.
No one MADE them vote that way. They were smart and knew it was a joke.
YOU are and Robyn are obviously not the BRIGHT ones. How rude to say that noto. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it. No wonder people have taken drastic measures! The whole thing is absolutely Bookmeyers fault. He has divided this entire town since he showed up. Sneaky ass, and the chamber is right with him. Ewwww no one can stand any of you anyway. Quit lying all of you and blowing sunshine up everyone’s ass!
I’ve heard that Mr. Noto is not a very pleasant person to work with/for. Now that’s just here say, as I don’t know him personally. The adversaries he mentions are the tax paying, voting citizens of Mason City. The one’s that are tired of being run over by government, whether it’s state, county, or municipal, in this case, city hall, and all it’s cronies, including the chamber. You bet the chamber is going to support business, like all the realtors and slumlords in this town. Can you imagine how they would make out if 2000 non English speaking workers had come to this town to work. Can you say, tax payer subsidized housing. The milk has been spilled, doesn’t city hall and all it’s cronies realize that. It’s time to quite crying about Prestage, it’s gone.**** Imagine that, the chamber supports the cancer causing industry. I might be wrong, but isn’t the blue zone against smoking. Then again, isn’t the chamber all about smoke and mirrors.
What benefit does the chamber actually offer to businesses or patrons. Isn’t it just a front to collect dues to pay its ranking officers? You have to pay fees to advance in their hierarchy. I fail to see what good they actually do.