When I retrieved my paper from the mailbox this morning and opened it I thought I was having a nightmare. I could not believe my eyes when I read the proposed projected cost for the Taj Mahal has escalated to nearly $30,000,000.00….with cost overruns which is a given. Wow, this guy is surly smoking his socks.
They talk about a “committee” or a “panel” to be assembled to do studies whose conclusion will be dictated by dysfunctional misfits headed by our own fat man. May God have mercy on us all. I knew it would be bad but I never envisioned anything even close to this.
To make matters even worse there was Turncoat looking glassy-eyed at me from a head shot the Globe put in with the sole purpose to make me nauseous. There are unfounded rumors that the Landfill is softening on the CES issue….and that only adds to my discontent.
Now lets briefly look at the Council Goals as stated in today’s paper. It says the council wants a “more harmonious” relationship with HRC; well guess what, the relationship was always harmonious with every administration before the fat guy arrived. It turned sour because the fat man’s friend wanted it shut down and they didn’t have the votes to get it done. The fat man got real pissed because he didn’t get his way; wouldn’t appoint Sandy Servantez….did you forget that? Did you forget when he had her removed from the podium?
We have had dedicated workers in our sanitation department who do a first class job; now all of a sudden it is not good? What does the fat guy think about these city worker’s families; is he going to end their employment at a time when work is hard to find? Does he even care? The real truth is that Solberg wants to move it to one of her clients….and it’ll get moved. Remember the city changed insurance carriers a short while ago; some agency in Ankney got the business. I guess we are spending our premiums out of town….what no agencies who could do it here? They are talking about shovel ready projects…the fat guy should pick up a shovel instead of a beer bottle….it might do wonders for him.
Peter Children
The bookmeyer camp and the other self appointed elite cant stand it that there is site that wont buckle under and cloud the facts. Matt has offered the community something badly needed and as more are finding about it is quickly growing. Free enterprise at its best.
What you see here are opinions, no more, no less. It is here that the public stands at the podium of everyday life to vent their thoughts. Here they can use as many words as they like…and as often as they chose.
It is on platforms such as this where opinion is offered that can and does result in change for the better. Elected officials can use this as a measuring stick…if they are smart.
When you talk about jobs you must remember that a lot of people who are out of work and are in desparate need of a good paying job will not be qualified for most of these types of jobs because after being low income and out of work for some period of time they can not pass a credit check or in a lot of cases a background check. They have given up trying after being rejected many times and this is a reall issue with our society. Employers need to change their hiring policy to give these folks a chance or they will never break out of their current lot in life.
Peter… I would hope that our city council doesn’t use this as an indication of what their consistutents want. Seems to me that most of what is written on NIT and its blogs are just like FOX News. A punch of extreme ideas and a forum to vent your negitive and hateful rederick. It is full of nothing but criticism with no solutions for the issues you are being critical about. You don’t report news you report your opinion of news stories. With that being said I do find NIT,your opinions, and others whom blog here opinions entertaining. But I don’t believe for one second that the opinions expressed here represent the majority of citizens of Mason City. This goes for all who post or read the blogs here; if you want your feelings, concerns, or opinions heard call your council person. Don’t rely on this site do do that for you.
While you question what is written on this site…am I therefore to believe you then agree with the comments made in the Globe? People are expressing themselves on this site because the Globe restricts them to one letter every three weeks…afterwhich the issue at hand will no longer be pertient.
Matt you knew sooner or later the drunks would gather around the keg to protect their property. The real proof is here. Globes hits on the multipurpose center article 1. Your hits so far on this article 77. Great job on giving a voice to the people silenced by this administration and their puppet paper.
Remember when they talk about using TIF to finance the project TIF is used to keep the general fund in balance.. NO more TIF = lower general fund = tax increases. Also since when did a very small minority of skaters start to dictate what everyone else in the community has to pay for. How this grew from a events center, to a single sheet of ice, to two sheets of ice is classic of what happens when you hand pick people for committees . No one wants to be the bad guy.
Well, I knew the minute the mayor got rid of the 3 people on the council that watched out for the taxpayers money, he would be on a kick to break this city and that is what is happening. The multi purpose center for instance. If he cared about the citizens here and what they think, he would recommend a vote. With all the unemployment we have and the way the economy is and everything going up, people can’t make it now. If the taxpayers think we won’t end up paying for this, think again. They try to sugar coat it by saying they will use grants, etc. and the taxpayers won’t have to pay, but we always end up paying. Ask them how much money it will take to maintain it on a yearly basis. Who will pay for that? What is it going to do for Mason City as far as bringing good jobs to town? That would be nothing! Charles City can get that tire factory and we get nothing, but retail and restaurants. What does the EDC do anyway??????? They are saying we aren’t going to see a big turn around in the economy and jobs for another few years so I would think jobs would be a priority. People are moving out of Mason City because there is nothing here to keep them. They can build half a dozen multi purpose centers and it won’t keep the young people here. They need good paying jobs to help pay off their student loans when they get through school and they need to go to bigger cities where they can get paid decent money by getting a decent job. You will soon see your water and sewer rates go up, too, so get ready for that. Then we have the remodeling they want to do at city hall. What a crock! Part time mayor and council! And then paying the city administrator $146,000 for a town this size. Wake up people! We need to take our city back and get rid of what is bringing us down. The mayor could care less about Mason City and he could care less about how the citizens feel. It is a sad situation!
concerned it was Max Don and Jeff that hired your city administrator. not the current council. so much for you theory for the ones who looked out for your taxes. Also look to see what your taxes did the last 10 years with your so called fiscal conservatives
Reading all these comments, the continual whine and cry column by Peter Children on a daily basis, and just the over all sour attitude that exists in Mason City now more than ever, I know that a few short years ago moving away was the BEST thing I could have done!!
I am having such a great laugh at your expense watching this small time, jerkwater town rip itself apart at the seams. And just to fill you in, others are laughing as well. I knew that this would happen. And before I left, I did try to warn others to get out before its too late.
My only regret is this. I won’t live long enough to witness the funeral of Mason City. I just wish that I could be there for the burial and the last rites. That day is coming and its sooner than you realize!
When you moved out of the city was it of your own free will? Has a date been set yet for last meal…I heard they cut back on that. I am surprised you are allowed to have a computer, I know of 5 other people who will never get to use one.
I went to the city budget meeting tonight and was very impressed with Jon Lee. I have a lot of respect for him. To make a long story short the city council could build the civic center without a public vote. Jon Lee stood up for the citizens and said, with the amount of money we are talking about the voters should have the right to vote on this issue. I personally don’t think we should spend this kind of money now but it is not about me. I have always wanted the taxpayers of Mason City to have the right to vote on this issue. If the majority want it then so be it. My concern has always been the taxpayers should have the right to vote.
Matt, You sould start a converation on what would improve this city. Start a list of improvements for eye soars, then suggestions for bringing jobs to the area. Simple suggetions could be the answer. Then take the list to the City.
LOVE your idea!!
Lets start with the 4 main routes into the city.
North Federal= The fence around the cement plants. (Bent up, falling down, weeds around the fence, overgrown tree.)
South federal Underpass looks bad, overgrown on the sides, junk and trash on the slopes up two the tracks.
Hwy 122 weeds in the dividers in the summer.
The area south of the mall where the new bridge was built. Clean up that lot. Weeds, Trees near the river. The list can go on and on. Help me list the eye sores. This is what people that come to town see first and that makes a first impression on them. Do we really want this to be there first impression.
Right a bunch of sad people that’s why you read this site. Duh. Keep up. Todd you are an asshole supreme. And who in the hell doesn’t know who the fat guy is or the taj. Let’s let all of you for this scam pay for it. We are out..go ahead you love and want it you pay for it.
I think this is a answer to better jobs here in Mason City, Instead of a multi-purpose ice rink, advertise nation-wide, Mason City has $30 million dollars to help any businesses that has good wages to relocate to Mason City. I would think they would be lining up for that kind of money. Maybe some would come back from overseas if they could get help with that kind of money. Just a thought. Has anyone ever thought of that?? Just sayin.
This is a start to the conversation. sounds good
Sounds good! If we look back at big business in mason city and tax breaks we may have given 30 million through years and they left. Let’s try guality of lifestyle in mason city (civic center.) We will still give tax breaks too as to overseas that’s a fed problem hopefully solved election time.
I thought the conversation was good. I’m still for the center and feel it would be a good project for the area.
Yes good just sayin we may have to do both I know it seems big, but our economy has to go up sometime let’s be prepared big risk for big return.
YES
River City ha! Remember the key word here! RIVER CITY!! Lets think about this. New central park, Library, Hotels, Music man square, and more, yet you cannot clean up the river going through downtown. What a JOKE!! The river is completely over grown, full trees growing out of the middle of the river, and lets look over the beautiful footbridge to see tires, trash, and complete overgrowth. You would think with the rivers at the lowest point they have almost ever been, the city would take the initiative to clean up their biggest assets. Remember the big hotel, tourism, lets take a nice walk & look at all the trash. Why don’t we start spending some of that 60K on cleaning up this town being it is such a mild winter, then maybe some business would look at River City if the city could show some pride. Go Smoke That!!!
You said it river city 60 inmates or 60 k i don’t care get it done. Also MUSIC MAN SQUARE music venue?
If you drive in to town from any direction a person will see many eye sores. Lets start cleaning up there also. Underpass on S. Federal looks bad, over growth near it is an eye sore. Lets start a list of the eyesore that the people of this town can help inprove. In the summer all the weed on the center dividers on hwy 122 and 19th st.
WAL-MART hopefully our council will make them cleanup. BIG MONEY …
It’s called quality of life
If you build it they will come employers and patrons
PETER CHILDREN:
I am a newcomer to this publication. But I am NOT new to the BASICS of journalism. Should I choose to divulge my REAL name here, it would be quite simple to verify news stories and photos that I have had published in a mainstream newspaper.
That personal “introduction” aside, I have read a few of your feeble-minded rants, including this one.
For starters, news stories, commentaries, etc. should be written as “stand alone”; i.e., people should not have to guess things like which newspaper you subscribe to. Or what is meant by your reference to the “Taj Mahal”. Or who the “fat man” is.
Perhaps you could learn something about the “stand alone” concept by studying an established newspaper. Here’s an example: The series of updates about a recent shipwreck ALL included a basic history of what happened. THOSE are “stand alone” stories. A first-time reader does not have to wonder what the writer is talking about.
YOU, Sir, are in my “sights”. And you will remain there until you learn how to write.
Blah, Blah, and, oh yeah…BLAH! This isn’t the Glob, which is catty corner from the Taj Mahal, so get over yourself!
…Welcome todd blodgett.
@pompus, I am chuckling at your comment, and probably will be for the rest of the evening…..I am so glad I’m not the only one who refers to our local news publication as “The Glob”. Thanks for making me smile today.
I think Peter Children writes for those living here, those who would be effected by the fat man’s actions. I know Peter and he really does not care who knows who the fat man is or not. if you don’t know then simply ask someone who does. This isn’t a journalism class its just a blogg and he’s not a professional writer and never claimed to be one. Lighten up already.
You’re wrapped too tight.
Peter your excuse for getting the paper smells and I don’t have balls, but if I were a guy I’d slap you silly!!!! See there you go assuming!!!!! Yer the ball less one for taking the paper and criticizing anyone else who reads it. The globe is still not even enough to wipe my a– with. You ball less freak!!!!
All of this rhetoric and I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that this all started from “some” people wanting a little more “ice” time. How did we go from that to a $30 million dollar proposal (I could just thank Councilwoman Solberg as she brought it up her first time out of the “council” shute), if we had just decided to build another “rink” somewhere, we wouldn’t be having this dialog!
NO… to the proposed ice arena/multi-purpose center. If the hockey supporters want it so badly let them have fundraisers, { or maybe the B’meiers could sell their farm and donate that money to the cause } along with a few other hockey supporters that own farm land and reaping the benefits of the Government Farm subsidy welfare payments!
Let’s concentrate on jobs please! Not more retail or restaurants, but real decent paying jobs! The multi-purpose facility will only provide $9/hr jobs – that’s pitiful. I do not support this facility if it is tax payer funded especially at a cost of $30 million dollars ! I have heard the comment “the hockey arena/multi-purpose center will bring our kids back to Mason City” Yeah – right – and what will they do for employment???
How would you bring jobs to the area?
@jobs, that seems to be a big question on this story…..wish someone had the answer.
$30 millon for something only a few are going to use sometimes? Another millon dollars for a fire truck that we already have one of?
In these economically depressed times, this is money we do not have to spend nor should we. Time for all government to learn to live within their means just like the citizens have to.
And folks, lets keep it civil while discussing things here. We really don’t benefit from the name calling or the bad attitudes. We can discuss things in a civil manner and make the site much more enjoyable. The site is here to discuss the news, not to provide a place to personally attack people most don’t know.
You may want to direct your name calling and bad attitude comment to Peter Children as well!
I have.
There is no need for this site to turn into a “Mugshots” or similar trash talk sites. This is a news and information site designed so people can discuss the item at hand. It is not intended to degrade into a free for all insulting poor attitude fight.
We can discuss these things in a civil manner and accomplish much more.
Who cares about iceskating two places in town you can get involved with to make better. What we need here is music concerts, sporting events, and music music music right here in river city why? I 35 , buddy holy ,and we all love band fest (music).
Great idea, include that in the center. This is a start to the conversation.
who is buddy holy?
Jamey, you know what’s tiresome? People throwing out “you’re negative” like that is an argument intelligent people will be affected by. If your kid is exhibiting bad behavior (example using other people’s money for his own personal gain or not picking up his room)and you scold him and he says “you’re negative” is that a valid argument? Spending money that we do not have and that others will have to pick up the bill for is poor behavior. You can call people anything you want but I say the deficit is with the people that want to raid other people’s wallets.
Love it! Go clean your room.
Randy I am a tax paying citizen. I have never collected unemployment or been on walfare. I feel you assume that I alway except other to pay my way. That is not how I was raised. I would expect memberships and donations to help pay for the center. I would like the city facilitate the project. If it does take some city money I would like to see my taxes go for this project.
Jamey, I am unemployed. I have never been on welfare, (check your spelling). I have always made my own way. I don’t believe in the welfare system I think it needs a serious overhaul. But do you have any idea how hard it is here to find a job. It’s HARD! And I have a college education. So on a personal level, a civic center is not going to help me at all. And I think I might even speak for some others who are unemployed.
Alice, You might have to move to find a job. Try that.
@Jamey….moving isn’t really an option. Luckily my husband has a job here and for now it seems quite stable, with insurance benefits. That’s not easily found these days, anywhere. It’s just really tough trying to make it on just his income and the small amount I receive from unemployment.
Alice, I hope you can find a job in your field soon. I have never been in your shoes and hope I never am. Best of luck in finding a job. I hope the college education help and you find something a job in your field. Don’t give up and Good Luck
Jamey
@Jamey, thank you.
The best way to stop this stupidity is for home and business owners to go down to the assessor’s office and have the value of their property reviewed and reduced to current market values. That would put a 25% plus reduction in tax revenue that the council would have to work with and would stop them from dreaming up new ways to spend taxpayer money. That would go for the city, schools, including NIACC,and the county. They would have to live within a budget that doesn’t include increased spending year after year. Normal working people are trying to find ways to cut spending habits to live within their means but that doesn’t seem to apply to our public sector.
Good luck with that one. I don’t know which side is worse to deal with, the county officials or the city officials. But, trying to reason with the county, good luck.
Also a lot of hard working people who have lost their jobs are moving away from the area. We have a lot of low income people that are not going to be able to help with the taxes. Putting money into something that doesn’t generate many jobs is going to further compound the problem as we cannot compete for other businesses to bring jobs to our community because we are so heavily bonded. Projects like the streetscape, library, and if this goes through we will have more debt). Many cities that try to get new companies don’t like to be over 25% bonded in order to be in a better position to attract new business with incentives.
I agree Randy. Too many companies have left this area and I don’t give a darn what the stats say. Unemployment is HUGE in Mason City. Instead of wasting time and money on studies for a civic center or glorified skating rink, spend that time and money on getting some actual good paying jobs in Mason City, get some industry here. It’s sad to drive thru industrial park. It used to be a very vibrant part of the community. Now it’s just a bunch of empty buildings. Priorities people.
What would you do to bring business here? It apears they just run into road block after road block. Then when they get here they see all the negative post and people in this community. I would avoid this area too.
@how to draw business- I really don’t know how this city could solve that problem at this point, and yes you are right! They meet roadblock after roadblock. But what I’m saying is, is let’s fix a major problem before fulfilling a small majority of people’s pipe dreams. A civic center won’t benefit everyone in this community. Heck some people are just trying to get by to keep the lights on and putting food on the table let alone going to an expensive event.
I’m still looking for an idea on bring business to MC. People want jobs and business but want everyone else do come up with the idea, then bitch when someone suggest something. With a multi-center family could spent time there swimming, exercise, have a indoor playground for kids. Lets start somewhere.
@how to draw business, I totally respect your opinion. That’s what I love about this site, you can speak your mind, and have an intelligent conservation with someone. Thanks for your input.
Do you feel you can’t get your point across without calling some one “fat man/guy” old man?
My main concern is the economy. These dreams people have at other people’s expense are getting old. There is a good probability that our state will raise gas taxes, commercial property tax will get cut and we will not have the revenue we once did. Without cutting spending, let alone adding more spending will mean that shortfall has to be made up with an increase in other taxes. Where do you dreamers think this money comes from? You like to skate well great but don’t expect others to help subsidize that especially right now when things are not looking great out there. It is not fair to want people to pay for extra things that you want. Do you understand that concept or are people so used to using other people’s money that ethics have changed? Government money is “other people’s money”. What else is it?
I feel the multi center is a good idea. I have a family here and we like to ice skate. The ice arena is a great place but is very busy and there are very few open skates. The city needs to look to the future and not the past all the time. Yes, it is good to ask questions but try to listen to the answers before you make judgement or don’t ask the questoins. Most questions are load questions in the first place. Just look at the posiblites if people did not look at everything with such negative eyes. That does not mean let everything pass, but way the pros and cons. Albert Lea has two ice rinks and both are busy. More families might take up the activies that the multi-center would offer. I disagree with where the city wants to build it because that is a flood plain, plain and simple. Other locations could be the east side of town near the high school, North side near the vacant cement plant on there land, south on Monroe near the ball diamonds, Northwest near Curries. I’m open for other loctions. Please help me list some.
If you want to skate flood some ground at East Park and skate all you want.
It is hard to freeze water in the summer. Just try to look at things in a less negative view.
I think we should scrap the whole idea and reinvest the money into public education judging from this post.
The city thought about farming out the sanitation dept several years ago. If I remember right, they even offered it to local people. But what it came down too, was $$$$$$$. No company could make a profit on what the city charges for pickup, (garbage, recycling, grass, brush, spring cleanup, fall cleanup, christmas trees.) If you think about it, how many companies can come to your house 3 or 4 times a day to pick up what you have, and make a profit. I’ll tell you what will happen if the sanitation dept gets farmed out. Lets take for example, Waste Management, we’ve all seen their green trucks around town. I’m going to take a guess and say that they are probably the largest waste handlers in the country. Now the city knows that there are some who think that $11.00 is way to much to pay for trash pickup. So to keep us all quiet, the city will insist, in a contract, that the new company keep their price close to what we’re paying now. Remember what I said before, about making a profit? Sure a company the size of WM will maybe take a loss, for a few years, but then watch out. After the contract is up, WM or whatever company, will have to raise the cost of trash pickup, to make a profit. Maybe $20. $30. I don’t know. I could be wrong, so do your own research. Remember you have to compare trash to trash when you do it.
Talk to someone that lives outside city limits and has to have Waste Management for services, and ask them what they pay. It’s over double of what the city charges.
John, I am going to agree with you. Keep MC Sanitation crews, because there is a chance we could end up with Holt. And that would end up becoming a mess, financially and otherwise.
We need to get rid of the fat in city hall starting with the administrator. Nobody thinks that Mason City can get any type of return by building a civic center lets get real they do not make money and they do not break even they are a money pit. As far as garbage goes I would be very suprised if a company could come in and pick up recyling, garbage, twigs and lawn and leaf bags for under 11.00 a month. Mason City cheaper is not always better either remember these trucks will be traveling down your streets. I want the city to have control over these drivers.
Peter and Marquardt are very, very sad people. period. I know many who work as staff at city hall and they all say they have to bite their lip not to laugh when he walks in. He is clueless on the budget issue about the $60,000 and I am glad the council and admin don’t work with him. why would they, he is not credible and rarely gets the story correct.
Tom, if that’s your real name, (use your real one if you have the guts) I don’t feel sad, thanks for the prognosis. If what you say is true, I am waiting to hear that said in my presence. It very well could be true that some city staff are not NIT fans. I’m fine with that. I can tell you, the only “city staff” that won’t work with me are Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and the city council. All other city staff happily answer my phone calls and emails promptly, usually within minutes.
Really Tom???? Doesn’t get the story correct? And the good ole Globe does, also radio??? And how about our local TV station that cares more about Minnesota than our own community. Our local newspaper is so one sided and radio? I won’t even go there, one big man sitting in a chair reporting from the window. If you think you can report it better, have it there buddy!
I don’t always agree with Peter, but I LOVE this site. Straight to the point, no sugar coating, and they actually print news!!!! The reporters are not hanging out at the court house with their thumbs up their butt looking for a stupid story. NIT is printing news that everyone in North Iowa should care about and adding some of the fun stuff also!!!! Thanks Matt and NIT for the fresh new news in North Iowa. And Peter, your opinion is always welcome! I might not always agree, but it is welcome. Don’t worry about what the fans of the Glob, I mean Globe say.
I’m curious about the change of insurance carriers. What is the process? Are bids taken?
Its not their money, its very easy to spend your dollar
Peter, Your just like the rest and make ME SICK. YOU bash and badmouth the GLOBE yet you dumb ass write here that you retrieved it from your mailbox this morning. YOU YES YOU can’t have it both ways and bitch like lots of others here!!!!! Throw tha globe out, cancel YOUR subscription or quit bitching here!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON’T GET IT??????
If you wantto critize me chicken shit, sign your real name. I get the globe because I bought it for .28 a copy. I read the news of record and other propaganda they put out. Grow some balls and sign your name…then get smart with me.
@Peter, we seriously need to have coffee together sometime. I think we could be buds. I don’t always agree with you, but dang! I love your spirit!
You all know damn well each council person reads this site and all the bloggs; therefore you’d think they would get a strong indication of just what their consistutents want….why then do they not react to those wishes? There will be other elections, the one that put you into that seat won’t be the last.
We are in BIG TROUBLE here in River City… I say BIG TROUBLE with a capital ‘T’ !!!