Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
Third Ward Councilwoman Jean Marinos left Thursday’s City Council work session early for what she called “another meeting.”
That other meeting, it turns out, was with dinner and drinks at the Park Inn.
The Council work session began Thursday at 5:00 p.m. At just after 6:00 p.m., Marinos announced she “had another meeting” and got up and left City Hall.
The Park Inn’s new restaurant, called the 191o Grille, hosted a “slow opening” Thursday evening according to this Globe Gazette story. Marinos can be seen in the photo that accompanies the story, sitting in front of the chef, with what appears to be a glass of wine in her hand.
A source confirmed that all the persons in the photo arrived at or before 6:15 p.m. and dinner was to be served promptly at 6:30 that evening.
The council work session continued another 15 to 20 minutes after Marinos left. Some of the discussion she missed focused on repairing the 12th Street NW bridge and helping a blind man navigate sidewalks in town where homeowners are refusing to remove their garden hoses that stretch across the walks.
Incredible. I just found this story after googling ‘marinos’ and it came right up. I used to live there and Im sickened by this womans behavior. Here’s hoping that my hometown gets a better crop of leaders soon, cause this woman is a dolt and should be impeached.
If she can’t even make dinner reservations on a night she doesn’t work how can she run the city?
OMG.. 20 minutes… you guys need a life.
Well, Duh!!! Where’s the cheese and crackers!!!
Marinos’ behavior is all part of the “dumbing down” of America.
In today’s society, it is now acceptable to be average, below average or just show up (barely)… even to the point of giving less than your best effort. You will be defended for sucking, even when you are hurting the very people who are defending you.
Here are a few comments made on Facebook about this story:
– “I’m pretty sure she can! Shes got a life to! This really isn’t a big deal! Just saying!”
– “Jean is a wonderful person so I am sure this was important to her as well. Back off her”
– “Sometimes people need a break ya know.”
– “The title of this article is “out of line” – Jean Marinos was very instrumental in the renovation of the Park Inn – she made a decision to attend a dinner.”
I think her priorities are out of line, not the article.
Matt I’m not sure how Ms. Marinos going to the opening of the new restaurant in the Park Inn is somehow related to “dumbing down”. This was/is a big deal for the Park Inn to finally get someone in there.Showing support and maybe critiquing the food and service might be what she was doing.She left a work session NOT a council meeting.. She can get the same information later. Should she do this all the time? No, but I think you, and others,may have blown this way out of proportion.
Jean…you’ve been found out again! However, don’t quit…you’re with the “dolts” who deserve you and your little dog!
The photo of Jean Marinos in this article is bound to become a classic. Does it remind anyone else of a puppy waiting to be praised for its last act of obedince?
I just wonder if all her properties meet code or if Ray lets some of them slide. WINDOWS
If you people will recall when she was our so called mayor they rebuilt central park for around a million dollars(that was a bust), I have never seen more than two people in the park unless there was a special event going on. The park came in somewherew around 1/2 million over budget. That was a set up for the Park Inn. The people behind her are smart even though she is not. She is in my opinion a piece of fluff that is there as a puppet for special interest. Everytime I tred to talk to her she brought in Mooreman to speak for her. Again, my opinion is she is on the council for a yes vote to subsidize the Park Inn when the announce it can’t make it on it’s own and the rich people toy becomes a expense for us taxpayers. Watch and see.
Your post got me curious because I didn’t think the dollar amounts you were stating were right so I looked it up.The Central Park Project’s low bid was $435,000 and the final cost was $545,000.A little different than 1 Million with a 1/2 Million dollar overrun.While Marinos might have been the Mayor when it was bid ,I think Pat McGarvey was the Mayor when it was completed.
McGarvey was administrator when it happen and they used his authority for the overruns as they always do. I sat in the mayors office and discussed it with her while looking out the window at a empty park. And if you look at the add on’s that were not part of the bidding you will see it was much closer to a million dollars but was hidden in the budget as expense items. They were planning the Park Inn even then. As I said, there are some very smart people behind her but she is not one of them. Just a figure head and a automatic yes vote for what ever the Beermaster wants.
This beermeyer pocket pal is just nasty.
WELL VOTERS YOU VOTED HER IN!!! SHE QUIT AS MAYOR SO WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!
It is said this woman was a bartender in Texas before coming here. She married and her husband’s job brought him to Mason City; then he died. She then married Marinos and suddenly became something she never was to begin with. She doesn’t speak because to do so would expose her total lack of knowledge.
Marinos you are the epitomy of self centeredness. You dont give a damn about anyone but yourself.
You’ll get yours don’t ever doubt it. And aren’t you a little old for that kind of meeting? You sure look it and you look ridiculous drinking as you do. Attractive. Get out please. Sick of you over the years being a tight lipped snoot. When you aren’t even close to who you think you are. Signed a couple of your so called friends. Remember WE know you.
mason city you have no chance right now i truely pity you whoever said you have selfish people running your town thats an understatement of mass proportions i will say a prayer for you
Matt, they will not go after the contractor because they have to go with the low bid. The low bid is usually not the best deal in the long run.
Also, as I understand it, this was another “Grant” (So called Free money.) and run by I DOT. There is no free money folks. We pay for it.
Remember when this project first started, they found problems in the concrete and made the contractor tear it down and start over? Well it looks like they covered their losses when they started over!
I can’t wait for her to resign
She was talked into running by the beermeyer crown in hopes of beating Max. Will bet she will bow out when it comes time to head to Grease for the summer. Some just think their shxx don’t stink.
Your right Matt, Ms. Marinos, said before the meeting even started she had another meeting and would be leaving early. She left just as the discussion began about the 12th street bridge. I guess going to dinner and having wine is more important than looking at a project that is costing $120,000. For you people out there that say grant money or road money is paying for this where do you think that money comes from? TAXES!!! She is the one that said,” it is not the council persons responsibility to deal with peoples problems they have staff for that”. This was said at the forum held at the Holiday Express at 7:00 AM in the morning sponsored by the Chamber when she was running for office. Her not being their for the garden hose going across the sidewalk thing isn’t her problem they have staff for that right? For the record Hickey was pretty cold with his answer about the sidewalk issue until Alex spoke up. Then he changed his tune.
Even more pathetically, the council and mayor showed ZERO interest in pursuing the contractor, sub-contractors and engineers who messed this up in the first place. How about a letter threatening legal action? How about in that letter they state that Mason City will NEVER do business with you again if you do not step up and help fix this bridge. Play some hard ball for god’s sake. Spineless, rudderless “leadership” here and this is why the city is spinning out of control.
Here again Matt you are right. If this was their driveway and this happens what would they do? I wish they would think with the mind set this is OUR money TAX money they are just throwing away.
I’m beginning to think these work sessions are just as important as the the council meetings and maybe even more. The things that go on at work sessions are very interesting to the taxpayers.
I like NIT being involved because when their is more than one person telling the story their is much more merit to it. With you being their and I being their people will know that it is not all one sided. I say this to let people who are reading this that, I have my own feelings and views. A lot of times you will read, Yes, Matt I agree with you. That is because he is telling the truth and I stand behind what he has reported because I have been at the same meeting.
Thank you Peter.
Sandy, I am always glad to see you at these meetings. You are there to learn and keep up with the city’s business, the same as me, and you are getting sharper with every meeting. If only more people got involved with issues as you have, Mason City would be a better place.
I’ve heard it all now. Nothing surprises me in that town. Selfish people.
Shes got a expression like (ok who farted).
I voted but she was not on my ballet in my ward. I would have never voted for her.
Glad to see our council has the people’s business as their top priority.
Sick stuck up pig! Screw the blind guy! No wonder this town is f’d up!!
Priorities….
WWMD? What would Max do? I bet your ass he wouldn’t have bailed out of the job as councilman to go for a photo op and more than likely a free (nothing over $4.00 please says the Ethics Board) meal.