The tail is now wagging the dog. In Sunday’s Globe editorial they respond directly to the article written this week by NIT publisher Matt Marquardt. The focus centers on the recent delegation that visited Washington D.C. under the pretense of “doing business.”
The justification attempt is very visible but the delivery is weak; truthfully there is no justification, at least not one that could pass the sniff test. Marquardt pointed out what most people already knew…this was more of a “good time” trip than anything else.
Like all elected officials, be they small town mayors or U.S. Senators and Congressmen, each and everyone one of them is on the public dole….you pay their wages with your tax dollars. When these politicians come back to their home state and conduct public hearing across the state, it is as much campaigning as anything else. They need to stay visible so you will remember that they shook your hand last July at the high school gymnasium while promising to push for higher corn subsidies and free pickup trucks for everyone who plants a thousand acres or more.
For the most part the Globe pretends they are not aware of NIT, that it really isn’t there….but today all of that changed…..
Peter Children
This week a delegation from Waterloo/Cedar Falls are in Washington D.C. visiting. As I said before, these meetings are productive and totally blown out of proportion by NIT. Here is an interesting read about Sioux City’s event… SIOUX CITY — The 58-year-old tradition of Siouxland leaders hosting members of Congress at a formal steak dinner in Washington has ended.
For its annual lobbying trip to the nation’s capitol this spring, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce will replace its signature sit-down dinner with a “steak reception.” Read more: http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/a1/siouxland-chamber-changes-format-of-washington-lobbying-event/article_8170e01f-7d9e-5c2c-8e4f-075ee359f411.html#ixzz1ncblEigZhttp://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/a1/siouxland-chamber-changes-format-of-washington-lobbying-event/article_8170e01f-7d9e-5c2c-8e4f-075ee359f411.html
I get it now, since everyone has their hands in the taxpayer cookie jar, why not us too! Great way of thinking! Rob the taxpayers, no one will care!
All I can say is WOW after reading the artical
My dad did these DC trips for years as the City Administrator of a small town in New Mexico. They are nothing but a schmooz-fest, full of elaborate dinners and cocktail hours. There are a few seminars during the day so it lends the appearance of proper business and as such can be written off for tax purposes. The thought that this band of knuckle-heads could actually attend and bring back anything of value to the community is laughable. I think a demand that they produce evidence of what was gained from this trip would be in order. I guarantee it ain’t worth the price of the air fare.
In times of economic hardship like this, the home fires need to be tended. A boondoggle trip like this is unwarranted and a slap in the face to people that are struggling to pay their Alliant bills. Congratulations NIT, for once again being the only source of honest news in North Iowa.
After reading the GLOB on Sunday I really wonder why I continue to pay for it. I picked up a Des Moines Registar last week and was surprise to see what a real paper looks like. Mondays front page had no real new on it except the OSCAR’s (Big Deal). Good job NIT. Keep exposing our local so called officials. Shame on you who didn’t vote in the last election. Look what you have recieved for your lack of interest.
The state ethics board prevents gifts over $3.99 per person, per day. I hope these people report that.
Gifts? Maybe the red scarfs? This is the cost of a representative government. Would you have liked to travel to the other side of Garner to catch I-35? How about traveling to New Hampton to catch the Avenue of the Saints? You do like clean water in Mason City, right? If you live in Mason City, you have benefited directly from such past trips from local representatives to Washington D.C. This is NOT a big exposure or a scandal.
The whole trip is a gift from the Chamber to Bookmeyer and Trout. Taxpayers have no say. I hear they eat at the fanciest restaurants. Everything on the trip can be accomplished with phone calls and meetings right here at home. There is absoloutely no need to shack up with the Chamber on this deal. The gig is up and the trip is exposed.
A lot of discussion and time wasted over something that amounts to 0.000063% of the City’s Budget. Peter, you make this sound so scandalous when most city/region of population in the USA do these trips to Washington, D.C. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Also, did NIT ever find out how much of this was reimbursed?
Steve Tynan gave back $600. That’s it. Why don’t you ask him WHY he gave it back, by the way. I think the A Teamers would cringe at his honest answer.
I don’t know him. So give us readers a report why he did give it back?
The more the Globe tries to protect their golden child the more it exposes what MC citizens have always know.
Peter only wishes he had a business so he could actually join the chamber of commerce. I don’t think they would have him. He hasn’t sold a beer in decades.
Pete ran many a successful business they say. I wonder if he was a chamber member.
Never was a Chamber member or Country Club.
Another fine piece of writing by Mr. Children. So true. So true. NIT single-handedly trounced the Globe and the Chamber. I watch this site for Peter’s stories everyday. I wish he would write two a day!
Moved away from Mason City years ago but found this site and just love the honest talk here. No profanity, just edgy news. Hope it keeps going and expands.
Matt is now in control, the globe is a follower. An underdog story all the way, someday a movie will be made about this. Way to expose these idiots. Keep up the great work Matt!
It was a feeble attempt at best to save their hero beermeyer. NIT now controls what people talk about not the Globe. Great job Matt.
Amen!