by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – Rick Kopps, of Denver, Iowa, made his way to Mason City and again attended Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
Kopps’ mother, who is 82 years old, lives on the same block as the Harley Davidson dealership on South Federal Avenue.
Her home is the last one left on the block, and it is separated from the dealership by an alley the runs north-south that the City is vacating to Ron Minert, who owns the dealership, as part of an incentive deal to grow the business.
Mr. Kopps, who also attended the August 21st Council meeting and spoke to the council that night, asked the City Council and Mayor why the alley wasn’t sold to the dealership instead of being given away.
Council members Hickey, Tornquist and Lee did a good job of explaining the reasoning behind the decision to vacate the alley versus asking the Minert’s to buy it. Watch the video to see more.
httpv://youtu.be/YLBCijwUvx8
If the so called good son did not want 5 times what the property is worth Harley Davidson owners might purchase property. Son wants to sell property a lot worse than Harley Davidson wants property. I’ll bet Harley Davidson brings more visitors to this town that eat, sleep and are not afraid to spend their money then some stupid statues! I have ran into Mr. Minert at a local eating establishment he was very pleasant to talk to and he didn’t blow up and tell me to go back were I live. And yes he was sitting with another person in a suit so I can only assume I interupted his business but still I enjoyed our conversation.
Of course Mr. Minert is pleasant, he got money, free land, and more from the taxpayers, and in return, he has what appears to be free license to create an atmosphere, (by way of violating the laws against altering muffler systems on vehicles) that is not conducive to the quality of Life in Mason City.
In any other normal city, such a place would be discouraged in favor of a business that added decorum to the community!
Remember, the main theme should be to become a community others want to invest in, not run away from.
The council seems hellbent on giving away public assets to the private sector–money, public rights of way–or privatizing what they can’t give away.
Well, seems to be the wave of the future for both of the two political parties.
I am sorry what I wrote got misconstrud. My husband talked to Mr Trunquest about problems in Mason City (we both are former Mason Cityians..born, raised and schooled here and had hoped to retire here). When asked what ward he was from, my husband replied he lived in Osage, then Mr Trunquest told him to go back to Osage where he belonged. I cannot believe the way I wrote made most think I am a heartless bitch, maybe I need a writting class or not express an opion on this site at all. You all seem to be out for blood.
start with a dictionary
It’s people like you that really tick me off. You have nothing to say but smart comments get a life!!!!
Judy, please call me at my office to discuss your encounter with Mr. Tornquist. 515-897-1144. Thank you.
Yeah I guess it was misunderstood.Sounded kinda cold and uncaring,know what I mean?Sorry for the name calling.
So does Harley need to own a whole block to sell drugs & motorcycles? Next they’ll want to get Federal Ave for free. Tell him to sell his airplanes & classic cars & yachts & buy the alley & pay the city for being here, it’s a priveledge, not a right.
With comments like you get from JUDY why would anyone want to think about moving to Mason City. Seems her attitude is –if you weren’t born and raised here shut your mouth and get the hell out of OUR town. Know wonder the city population has went nothing but down since I moved here in 1967.
I have heard that years ago that the owners of harley did offer to buy the kopps property but was turned down as the family wanted more money. With the only house on that street I would be begging the minerts to buy me out
I would GLADLY offer to sell my house if it was located next to a moron clubhouse.
Let me explain something about this comment. You need to know the whole story. When someone went up to scott torniquest and started talking about the city he was getting upset. When he asked the man what ward he was from the man replied that he was from Osage scott told him to go back to Osage!! The guy told him he was born and raised in Mason and he had family that still lived in Mason. Scott had know idea who this guy was. He could have been a business man looking for a place to build his company. What a great example for mason city.
The alley is has an easement for Alliant, how are they going to get to those above ground power lines?
The rich get richer!
What part about HIS 82 YEAR OLD MOTHER lives in the last house on that block did you not understand. Think he might of been there to advocate for his elderly mom like a good son should? Minert can well afford to purchase a little frickin property! Not everything has to be given to him!
How come the council did’nt tell him to go back to Denver, IA where he belongs? This is Mason City’s business not his,like it was told to someone from Osage.
His 82 yr old Mother lives at the end of the
alley you heartless winch.You’re cold blooded,must be a friend of the Minerts or just a plain ass bitch.