Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
What does it take to get the public involved in an issue?
There were strong opinions on the Chamber of Commerce statue debacle, judging from the comments left here on NIT, and even some council members admitted they received calls and letters on the matter from their constituents, but it wasn’t enough to bring them out in person.
And the calls and letters, likely some for and against this particular project, were not enough to sway the council at all.
(PHOTO: Councilman John Lee really tried to do the right thing Tuesday night, as he speaks on the statue project in the above photo. Take a gander at the looks on the faces of the three men to his right and you might see the pressure he faced to vote yes. Click photo for larger view.)
Really, only when people show up in person is a difference made.
I have witnessed this a couple times in the last two years as I have followed Mason City politics.
First was with the “gentleman’s club” issue. That one packed the room, and the idea was soundly put to bed, no pun intended.
Then we saw a strong turnout with the garbage burning plant, with strong opinions on both sides. That one narrowly lost and our friends from Colorado… or was it Wyoming… or was it Nevada… packed up and left town. Maybe they are in Antarctica now busy with their plant down there.
We also saw a strong turnout on the multi-purpose arena project meetings… where is that project at now? O yes, the city gave up on it. How’s that search for a “shovel-ready site” going?
Anyway, because the public is staying home – I call this apathy – it is easy for certain folks to get away with just about anything as long as it’s “a small amount of money” as Councilman Scott Tornquist described the dollars the Chamber was asking for. City Hall has become was Max, Don and Jeff guarded against: Wasteful.
Mayor Bookmeyer has his team in place, the public is asleep at the wheel, and the handouts are just beginning. This behavior will be justified at all costs.
People, you need to start coming back to the council meetings and standing up for yourselves.
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VIDEO: Council input from public on agenda items only:
httpv://youtu.be/_IBa9KtBM2c
Wiseguy — take your hat off in a building. It’s not a bar.
“I spent time writing out my thoughts on issues, and I was attacked and belittled from the very beginning by this NIT mob, which Matt did a poor job of regulating…”
You were given free reign to publish what you wanted, no matter how far out from reality it was. And you should now be so shocked of the reaction to it?
If I spoke on a street corner of my talking car, free land for everyone, or alien spaceship houses, the general reaction would be the same from listeners. Why on earth do you think it should be any different for you?
OK…I’m okay if Matt was voted in as Mayor! At least he is for the people or he would not be running his articles… and just how fast is the other 2 media …? My vote would be for Matt for sure .
Peter, I am sure Matt really appreciates your sensitivity to this issue. After all, you’ve done nothing but tear him down on this site, and your own. Save your words, because I am almost positive to him they mean nothing. Go away.
Matt is gonna become Mayor of this City. And Peter, that will just tear you to shreds won’t it? He’s the man for the job, and I will support him from start to finish.
And obviously you do care what he thinks of you. Admit it, you are obsessed with him. You cannot stand the fact that people look up to him, but look down on you. He’s smart, educated, successful, and has the paperwork and website to back it up. If you truly did not care, you wouldn’t keep popping up over here, hoping once again that he noticed you, or would take your OPINIONS to heart. Give up Peter.
Still haven’t found that ledge??? Go away Peter.
Peter, you are soooooo stupid. The comment is sarcasm! Let me spell it out for you.
You are not wanted on this site by pretty much everyone, and you keep saying you are leaving, but you never do. You have your own site, but I think you are disappointed that no one gives a crap about your rantings, so you keep coming back here for attention.
I’m not telling you to commit suicide, I am asking you to get the hell out of here and stay off this site like you promised. I guess promises don’t mean anything to you.
Nice to hear Mr. Moorman giving his view on receiving more FREE stuff to help his business traffic!
I used to attend the council meeting when I thought it would make a difference. After sending e-mails to all of the council members (except for the two fluffs) and only getting one reply (from Kuhn) I though what is the use of going. It is hard for me to get around and I only do so when I think there is a chance of winning. This was obviously and done deal long before the meeting. (I thought it was against the law to pre-arrange). However, I current mayor and council could care less about the law or the taxpayers. It is all about what the Chamber and the elite want in this town and always has been.
Obviously wouldn’t have made any difference! VOTE them out!
Why are you here?
By the way, I know I didn’t spell the word “surprise” correctly.
I really don’t believe that showing up would make any difference. This was planned out in advance. And too all the people that used to blame Max for everything, how’s this new council you voted in working for you?
Only in in numbers that would have made them take notice, and only if they spoke and could make some points.
Sandy is more and more articulate everytime she speaks at these meetings. One can only hope she runs against the huge insurance woman and throws her ass into the street. By next election, Sandy will be miles beyond solberg in knowledge and the ability to care for the people of mason.
thank you
Seriously Pat did you watch the video. Sandy is just trying to turn this into a class warfare issue. She isn’t knowledgeable about the topics she speaks about. I am not saying she is lying. All I am saying is she doesn’t know the facts and spews out incorrect information that isn’t true. She should do her homework before she speaks. Just like ignorance of the law is not an excuse but in this case it is.
I don’t vote in MC so I figure they won’t really listen to me at a council meeting. I did write to all the council members and the Mayor because I pay a good chunk of property taxes there. I heard from Lee, Kuhn, and Bookmeyer, which was more than I expected. But I am pretty shocked that all of the people who whined about the sculptures on this website did not even bother to put in an appearance. Had it been in the city where I vote, I would have gone. I think it’s time that the whiners on here either better put up or shut up when it comes to these kinds of issues. If it isn’t worth fighting for, quitcher bitching.
Really, you’re suprised people who mostly post uninformed nonsense anonymously on a website didn’t actually show up and speak their minds in public? I can’t imagine why, maybe because they know they’d look stupid when actually confronted with the other side of an argument. That can’t be true though, everyone on here does their research and doesn’t comment based on feeling and gossip alone right?
I’m aware of the other side of the argument. These whiners just may have heard that side had they gone to the meeting. I’m still not thrilled that the motel tax has to go toward this project and I think there are better places to spend it for the arts. Let these people go to the meetings, spout off, and find out they haven’t done their homework. Just like when they went to school, didn’t pay attention in spelling class, and now show the world they didn’t fully appreciate that free education, courtesy of the taxpayers.