MASON CITY – Councilman Alex Kuhn told NIT today that he is “very concerned” about the crime issues in Mason City.
He said that he has spoken with Mason City Police Chief Michael Lashbrook on Thursday and is set to ride along with an on-duty police officer today.
Kuhn hopes to “learn more about how we can address this” on-going and seemingly growing problem in Mason City.
NIT will attempt to find out what Kuhn learns from his time with the MCPD today.
I think the last time Kuhn talked to Matt was when he was begging him not to run the video on his drunken behavior at eleven. Matt 1, Kuhn 0.
Matt did Kuhn ever call you about this? What did he find out?
No. But Mr. Kuhn did a full story with the Globe on the matter, I am told.
Watcher is full of shit or himself, wonder who that is? I need to add stupid also. Kuhn is just being a prick about the ride along because HE KNOWS NIT would let it out and the hard core truth. Period.
Thank you for your wonderful insight and well written comment on this thread. It helps North Iowa to have such informed and mature posters on here doing what they can to bring ideas and transparency to the facts that hit to the core of the area problems.
The personal responsibility in your post is well noted.
maybe have more than 4 cops patrol the city at a time & crime might not be so high, yes 4 cops for all of mason city
Maybe Kuhn can buy watcher a drink next time he’s in eleven throwing a tantrum.
I would share a drink/coffee with him, as I would also with Matt. As I said, I have nothing personal at stake here.
Great job Matt. Love the tokens from the beermeyer brown collar club members. I’ll bet they get a pat on the head and a dog treat at the end of the day.
So, are we going to get some sort of report on this ride along? I hope some good comes out of it. A couple of questions I have, 1. I know the council has a say over the funding the police dept gets, but do they also have some say in how they conduct their business. 2. If we as taxpaying citizens have some ideas on the direction the police dept takes, who should we go to. I guess over all I am kind of in agreement with Pete L. Not on all the details or solutions but the big problem starts with the attitude and the way people are brought up in society, we need to fix that first. The cops are necessary but we need to do something before the crimes if we really want to improve the community.
Mike, probably not. Unfortunately Mr. Kuhn has refused to answer any basic questions about his ride along. This is just bad for Mason City when our elected leaders are cloaked in silence and secrecy, despite running for office on “transparency.” Very disappointing and in my opinion, not the way to move Mason City forward.
Or maybe he just doesn’t want to place his trust in your reporting/editing of the MCPD ride along. Your editing skills still have a ways to go. You might leave something in the article that was asked to be kept confidential… oh wait that never happened.
This is just bad for Mason City when our news sources are cloaked in bias and nondisclosure, despite advertising themselves as “concise.”
Watcher: I report word for word what I am given by my sources. Your post really doesn’t make any sense besides taking a cheap shot at NIT.
Matt – If you see it as a cheap shot then you are getting emotional again. My comments are generally non-biased; I am not for or against NIT. I comment on all types of articles and try to bring out discussion and facts that may have been left out, intentionally or not. I have commented in agreement to articles and in disagreement also. I have no direct impact on you (NIT) or North Iowa except to say I know the area well and have many family and friends there.
It’s not a cheap shot when I have a screen shot of an article (since deleted) in which you posted (through bad editing on your behalf) a child’s name after being asked not to by the parent. You could have at least been kind enough to post a public apology.
You want to hold everyone else accountable – but don’t want to be called to accountability yourself.
Emotional… hardly. I’m glad you are interested enough to take screen shots of NIT. Maybe you can print them and use them as wallpaper in your house. As for the story in question, again, I copy and pasted what was sent to me, I did not edit it. The story was removed as soon as they requested, and I told NIT readers that.
Nice “Ignorance is bliss” comeback there. Your are the editor, as so it is your job to edit the information your post. What if there had been some detrimental statements in the information that you posted that could have caused serious/dangerous retaliation against the child? Just because they gave the information to you that way doesn’t mean you just copy and paste it.
You posted your “it wasn’t my fault, they made me do it” “response” in the winers den, sounds a lot like the back page corrections you have hounded the other media sources about.
Oh and to the “I report word for word what I am given by my sources.” Nope none of us that can Google a news story believe that. The woman suing the fairgrounds story was a good example of that. You fully left out her being found guilty for stealing from the fairgrounds as possible means to why she was terminated.
I do believe it is the parent’s job to determine what is detrimental to their child, not mine. I did not ask for the information in that story; a person voluntarily sent it to me to be published. NIT tries not to edit other people’s words. If they can’t spell or use improper punctuation or they include the first name of family members, so be it. I never proclaimed ignorance, so your lie doesn’t go very far. Also, I posted the reason why the story was removed on Facebook, where NIT has 2700+ followers. I think the message got out.
As far was the Wanda Kruse story foes, here again you are making things up. Second paragraph of the story: “Kruse was fired by the fair association in July of 2010 and charged with 5th degree theft. She was found guilty of misappropriating funds of no more than $200.” Here is a link to the story: http://www.northiowatoday.com/?p=15403
Any more misinformation you want to try to spread today, Watcher?
Being an editor… isn’t it grand.
Contiued on the winers den…
Again Peter, you want your pothead friends protected. Truth is, a majority of people want drugs to remain illegal, and the drugheads to be treated as criminals.
Most people also want all laws enforced, not just the ones you may or may not like. That would completely undermine the system of government we have. Keep trying to re-invent our way of life, and our constitution, all that will remain is anarchy and violence. Ideas that have failed in other places in history.
If I was constantly being put in a poor light by a “news” outlet then I would tell you to shove it as well.
He didn’t tell me to “shove it” as you say. He saves that kind of talk for other venues. Maybe you should shove off from NIT… but you can’t because you are addicted to it. Glad you are here again today, as you are nearly everyday… maybe someday you will have the courage to blog under your real name?
Nice move Alex. Go to the source. Involve the community. So far, so good. Some of the newness of elected office has worn off. It is time to show us real LEADERSHIP. Go get em’. Bring your A game and demand the same of all involed.
Matt, would you be willing to ask to be invited along? That’s what I want to see, the awakening of awareness for Alex as he(WE) see first hand what is going on in our community.
Citizens Police Academy is a local program through the Sheriff’s office and MCPD.
http://www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us/Sheriff/Sheriff_Citizen_PA.cfm
This page is a good resource to keep us aware of our neighborhoods.
http://www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us/Sheriff/Sheriff.cfm
Sorry. This comment was over the top and had to be deleted. Please… keep the comments tasteful and on-topic.
– NIT STAFF
one of the biggest causes of the increase of crimes is that too many kids are being raised by a parent or parents that are involved in drugs, and crimes themselves. too many have no respect for anything, including themselves, and feel they are owed everything. this has been going on for generations, and is growing with each generation. and when many are caught, the court gives them a slap on the hand. too many are never held accountable for their actions.
Those same issues are a nightmare for employers and hiring. As many as 30-35% of applicants do not pass a UA or backgroung checks.
A “clean” community is a huge plus to attract new businesses to Mason City.
SAME PERSON:
Ryan R., anonymous, mc guy, i agree, good job kuhn.
Just saying. Matt back me up here.
I know kuhn and there isn’t a better guy in town. he has connections all across the state, knows the issues, and would do anything to help anybody. our community needs more like him.
i hope people on this site don’t nag him too much or he’ll be off to the State Legislature before you know it and we’ll be stuck with a less qualified council person afterwards.
Promises, Promises.
So…. there you have it, the answer has been right in front of us the whole time too. With all of Kuhn’s connections all across the state, we can just NETWORK our way out of the problems in Mason City. Wow, how could all of us have missed that????
Its a great thing that Kuhn, is trying to change Mason City. Every year it seems like the town is decaying in a terrifying rate. Yes, its clear that drugs are a huge part of the reason why crime is so high. Going to Mason City High School, the amount of soft drugs with in the High School population is amazing… For a change, lets start with teaching kids how getting involved with these family crimes, like Hurtea’s is not the way you want to live life. Its amazing how people are ignorant with Mason City. Change takes time, its not like in Sim City when you can just add more police stations to deter crime. We all can prevent crimes, by stepping up and taking pride. Lets start by starting small block watches within our homes.
While I appreciate Mr. Kuhns attempt to find out about the crime issues in Mason City, his time might be better spent walking the streets in the early morning hours in the areas that a majority of the crimes are occurring. While riding with the MCPD is admirable, he will only get their perspective on any given situation.
The supporters of the beerman and his cast of clowns are so desperate for anything positive that they will try to move kuhn to sainthood for this simple act. His actions at eleven bar and his voting record speak the real truth.
Kuhn is one of the best and brightest in MC, he is a smart independent thinker with proven accomplishments a mile long and this is more proof he is going to lead on council on follow. we need more people like him to step up and help
all these blow jobs on the council now wont see another term. i cant wait to get wormmeyer outta there
He can come over sit on my porch and see all the crime he wants. He doesn’t have to ride in a police car. When they see the car coming they hide until they leave and start back up.
Instead of bashing someone, who got elected. Why don’t you use common sense and call the police.. Instead of claiming, you are a witness to a crime and not reporting anything.. Just some good ole Mason City ignorance
At least he is trying to get some first hand information and experience. Give him a break and wait and see if he puts it to good use. It remains to be seen if he sides with the beermiester or the taxpayers of this city. We can use all the help we can get.
Riding around in a car isn’t going to do much. The issues cannot be solved or detected from looking out a vehicle window. They are internal and generational, passed on from adult to child…and fueled by substances, especially tobacco, alcohol, Mt. Dew, Red Bull, Junk Food and meth. Cops and robbers has been played out for a long time, and it really hasn’t done anything to change the behaviors and attitudes of anyone. All the criminals and future criminals know is that “po-po” is to be avoided. I think some other strategy needs to be developed. How is Alex Kuhn going to stop someone driving up from Waterloo and getting into a scuffle with someone over a girl or drugs? If the school system can’t fix them before they turn out at 18 they’re never going to. Like begets like. Exploitation and abuse is sensed, and hence another child becomes corrupted. How to stop abuse and mistreatment in the home is what Alex should be thinking about. Because it starts at the earliest age.
…and I’d add to that by saying if Alex Kuhn wants to create a better society, he can start by helping to create better inclusive economic policies that break down the barrier between “us” and “them”. A disgruntled worker who thinks the “white-collars” in the government or at the factory are assholes, is going to impart that feeling to his child, and then the child is going to grow up believing he has no part in any conventional rendition of society, and thus will turn to outcast activities like drugs and theft. It also helps to have logical and unhypocritical laws so the people don’t think your’e full of shit. Then I’d say stay practical and don’t get all overly religious as well. All of this adds up and creates children and young adults who don’t believe in anything and become nihilistic…nihilistic enough to kill.
You know what? A little Yoga training goes a LONG WAY. Maybe if the pastors and priests in local churches were to spend less time enjoying the sound of their own voices, and more time teaching practical methods towards enlightenment, self realization, and health, such as in Yoga training, the people would be better adjusted, and our society would become more harmonious.
But let’s see, if you’re selling a bullshit product to begin with…why would you want to admit to it’s illegitimacy? That would put you out of business wouldn’t it?
It was never intended for our school system to ‘correct behaviors’. That is newfangled mumbo-jumbo that came around with all the other silly notions like outcome based education.
Your idea of ‘outcast activities’ is bogus. In actuality, it is behaviors and standards that the parents have taught (or not taught) based on right and wrong. In order to parent, one must do, instead of just say. When one sees that kind of thing, there is a pretty good chance that the community has accepted the anti-social behaviors, nor has held anyone to standards. Normally though lack of consequences for not conforming.
Pastors teach life skills through faith. Sure it does not hurt to be healthy in body as well as spirit, but consider their overall quest, and not that of one person’s agenda. Those “b******* products” as you call them, have been pretty successful over the years. When I look at the people that are a result of Catholic education for example, no matter what their position in the economic strata has been, you find less of a likelihood of anti-social behaviors.
I prefer something that has been proven to work over the long term, rather than something untried and untested in society.
I was with ya’ all the way, Peter, until came up with the conclusion to solve all our troubles was yoga. Yoga? Good grief.
“… it teaches self discipline, resolve of mind/body difficulties, and a oneness of all life.”
A stint in the Marine Corps will also do that for you. Besides, it will also teach you something that yoga does not, reality.
Yoga? I thought most all of our societal problems would disappear with the legalization of marijuana. 😉
This is a bit off topic, but to truly understand wildlife is not to take pity on it. There is nothing pitiful about it, rather it should be marvelled at.
Mt. Dew causing problems in society? Your a dumbass.
There are differences in all sugars, cane, beet, honey, fructose. Those differences mainly have to do with how the body digests and uses them.
I offer this from Mayo Clinic: “there is insufficient evidence to say that high-fructose corn syrup is less healthy than are other types of added sweeteners.”.
I cannot find any causal relationship to support the idea of psychological changes due to Fructose consumption. Sounds more like fear-mongering.
Dr. Peter”The world should smoke pot”Ljo. I guess I have drank way to much Dew. My grammer has suffered. Thank you for pointing this out through your bloodshot eyes.
I’ll go by his voting record which shows he’s another puppet of the beerman.
I never had anything personal against Alex we both ran a clean campaign. I am glad to see that he is getting involved with trying to do something about the crime in Mason City.
I voted for Kuhn and am very glad I did. He is a leader and knows how to solve problems. we need to support people like him who work hard to improve community. I hope he can gain insight to help resolve violence and drug issues in MC it is a huge problem
Kuhn is a great guy is works tirelessly for this community, good for him, he gives up his time in so many ways to make our community better. just ask the non-profits and youth groups around town, he volunteers everywhere for the less fortunate. sometimes I wonder if he sleeps! Great job Kuhn.
I agree 100%, you will see in time that Kuhn is looking for everyone including working class in MC, I know he will stand up for sanitation and Fire department when council tries to outsource their work.
Will he be riding around during the day or wait until the north end wakes up for the evening and get to head out on one of the nightly calls to Alley Katz.
Wow, Kuhn is trying to find out about the crime in Mason City and I think this is a first good step.He is not from here originally and all you people do is give him grief ,WOW.Sometimes when I read NIT I wonder about the thought process that goes on in Mason City!!!!!
More corruption on the MC force is just what we need. Awesome. I guess if he’s riding with a cop he can’t get an OWI.
Kuhn is showing leadership… is he turning his already tarnished council stint around?
I would love to be a “FLI” in that sqaude car today! WOW