In the first in a series of questions coming from NorthIowaToday.com to City Council candidates in Mason City, a question was asked about Mason City’s newest possible development, a waste to gas plant proposed for Mason City’s south side by a company from Colorado.
The question:
“It is common knowledge of the CES waste-to-gas plant proposed for Mason City’s south side. There have been several stories written and lots of news coverage of the project. It was said that the Globe Gazette endorsed the City Council’s 5-1 vote allowing the project to move forward in the process. I assume you know about the project and have followed the news about it and likely read the council packet covering it. For the record, what is your stance on the CES waste to gas project, and will you back the CES team and the project moving forward in Mason City?”
The answers:
AT-LARGE CANDIDATES:
Jose Baragan, Jr.:
“I am in total support of this project going forward. Once it is built perhaps we can lower the electric bills of all the citizens. My only concern is the handling of possible waste materials. I do not want mercury seeping into the landfill.”
Alex Kuhn:
“I believe voting down a development agreement at the infant stages of discussion sends a bad message that Mason City is not a business friendly community. We are currently seeing layoffs at two of our largest manufacturers in Mason City, we need jobs. I stress the word opportunity, CES is a great opportunity to bring a $35mil investment to MC, along with $3mil in annual payroll. Once the experts at DNR and EPA perform their thorough permitting process on potential emissions from such a plant and we better understand financials involved at city level; that is the appropriate time to make a yes or no decision on the tax abatement and development agreement. Not before discussions have even begun.”
Sandra Servantez:
“There are a lot of questions that still need answers before I can support this project. How will the financing get done? What about the emissions? After more information is obtained I will be able to decide whether to support the project or not.”
THIRD WARD CANDIDATES:
Jean Marinos:
“I support the City Councils decision to move forward with the process with CES. With several layers of conditions that still need to be accomplished such as the Zoning Board of Adjustment, IDNR permitting requirements, an agreement with the Landfill of North Iowa and Alliant, I feel confident when the project comes to the City Council again for consideration, we will have the answers needed to make a good judgment on the project.”
Max Weaver:
“This is a decision the Landfill of North Iowa should be making. Th city corridor group/EDC and CES are fast-tracking the development agreement and putting the typical political pressure on members of the landfill. I’m not willing to risk short-term economic boost for long-term boondoggle. I do not want to put their (CES) profits over our citizens’ concerns and safety on this untried and experimental company.”
FIRST WARD CANDIDATES:
Tim Latham:
“First and foremost, there’s got to be a lot more information gathered. We need to take our time on this. We should make sure the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted. If elected, I will do a lot of homework and if it doesn’t add up, I won’t support it.”
John Lee:
“At this juncture of the process I agree to continue to critically move forward. We are not in any position to turn jobs away if they are deemed safe by the DNR and EPA. Who are we to decide if the are too low of paying jobs or if the conditions are not ‘pleasant’. There are a lot of people out of work and there are a lot of people who would gladly take one of these jobs. There are concerns with it, but as of right now we need to move ahead with the process and wait for more information. Saying no at this juncture is just irresponsible, but to say yes to the entire process right now is just as irresponsible.”
