MASON CITY – City Council member Scott Tornquist just couldn’t take another word Tuesday night.
Tornquist stormed out of Tuesday night’s city council meeting in the middle of the public forum before the meeting was adjourned after at least three run-ins with citizens that evening.
Tornquist, who has had run-ins with citizens in the past, earlier in the evening exclaimed “I’m done!” as he traded words with citizens over the Mercy development agreement (see video).
Prior to that outburst, Tornquist told NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt that he would “throw your ass out” after Marquardt told Tornquist and Mayor Eric Bookmeyer to have respect for citizens (see video). Tornquist, backed by Bookmeyer, loudly interrupted Mason City citizen Sandra Servantez when she mentioned the Park Inn Hotel as she described the “chaos” the Mason City Human Rights Commission is currently embroiled in due to Bookmeyer’s appointments to that board.
Later, a man who was approaching the podium to speak at the public listening post said in a loud voice “Mr. Tornquist, you are in error!” He was referring to Tornquist’s earlier rant on the proximity of homes to Mercy’s property.
After Marquardt’s remark to Bookmeyer and Tornquist about having respect for citizens, Bookmeyer told Marquardt that he did “not expect to hear another word out of you this evening” and asked if that was understood. There were two police officers in attendance Tuesday night.
Later, when Marquardt exercised his democratic right to address the council during the public listening post, Bookmeyer deemed Marquardt’s remarks about witnessing Bookmeyer being thrown out of the Other Place bar a “personal attack” and Tornquist then grabbed his coat and briefcase and headed for the exit.
“You can talk all night if you want,” Tornquist said as he walked out the door.
Watch video:
Matt for mayor !!
This page is like watching a few minutes of PMSNBC. Not very newsworthy, but damn entertaining none the less.
I should actually thank turncoat for his continual better that thou behavior because if he didn’t try to baffle the LNI board with his bs and turn so many against him we could be stuck with the waste to energy plant.
This site is as much fun to read as the assault weapons blog is. People venting their emotions since there is nothing else for them to do. Similar to hitting a wall or kicking the cat. And yes, LVS, I noticed you said it again. And yes, I understand you have no respect for these two gentlemen. But I do not understand why you have to be so discourteous in your ranting. I have always had trouble with people’s veracity when they let their emotions rather then their logic guide their words.
Come on folks, stick to the facts of the issue.
Council has the ability to rezone, etc. to permit the expansion of Mercy.
Mercy is a major employer and regional health provider – very important locally and regionally.
Mercy bought all the properties being used in their development at over market values – in the past I’ve seen them pay twice market value – so no one got shorted in the process.
The only ones with any position to gripe could be the remaining neighbors who think the character of the neighborhood is being adversely affected. Since this is a matter of personal taste all I can say is tough – suck it up and get on with life – no one guaranteed you immunity from every consequence of life.
When you start to attack council personally because of some perceived slight then your argument goes out the window. Going to the public forum after the fact is just that – after the fact of approval. If you really wanted to object and had valid provable information it should have been presented at the public forum before approval. It has been no secret that this has been in the works for some time.
Mercy is Mason City’s largest employer. I hope they continue to expand in coming years and increase the number of higher paying jobs in Mason City…
Matt was sticking up for the boards terrible treatment of a citizen. cudos
It’s easy to see that this “board” is on the Mercy North Iowa’s payroll..They even funded these peoples election runs….
Once again Mercy wants..Mercy gets…they are destroying this town.
Let’s be honest Matt…you are only there to cause trouble. You didn’t “address” the council Tuesday—you asked them questions that did not relate to any issues, and personally attacked Bookmeyer. I’m not saying I like any of our council members, but I really don’t like you either…dude. Grow up.
Matt and Sandy-Thank you for standing up for the tax paying citzens of Mason City. It can not be easy standing up there knowing you are going to be interrupted and insulted. What does it take for people to realize that we have two dictators on the counil in Turncoat and the Fat Man. Yes, Citizen I said it again. And now you know why I have no respect for these two elites and their puppets. They do not care one bit about the common people of the city. We are there only to fund their pet projects. Voters-remember this when voting. Great Job Sandy and Matt.
A CHRISTMAS POEM
Was the night before Christmas and all through the town
No citizens were stirring only drunks and criminals were around.
When off to Central Park with a quick look I did see
A fat little man who on a tree he did pee
Quickly I moved closer to see who this man was for fun
When he grunted out get away from me common citizen scum
I’m the Mayor of this town and I can do as I please
See how quickly my cronies come they do it with ease
Come Tournquist come Solberg come Kuhn and come Lee
We must change all rules so no one can question me
So as of today in rumors it’s said
The voice of the people is officially dead.
Time To CLEAN HOUSE! I didnt know we had 12 year olds on council
Anyone else notice no bottles of water on the table this meeting but rather pitchers of Mason City’s soon to be marketed H2O!! LOL
Is there somehow we can petition for an impeachment and get turncoat and the beermeyer removed from our council and mayors position? This all a bunch of shit and Im sick of these 2 and maybe a few more wanting everything for only them
Wow I am appalled seeing a so called leader of Mason City conduct himself as so (Cameras Rolling)
Mr. Tornquist your behavior is UNACCEPTABLE! You owe us an explanation as well as an apology for such bad behavior. A job well done Matt.
Things just are not going the way the beerman and turncost want in their little minded dictatorship. Average citizens are nothing to these two losers which is why the beerman won’t work and turncoat has been fired from so many places. Keep up the search for the truth Matt.
I know this kind of crap will not happen to the citizens when Matt is mayor of Mason City.
thanks for showing us what our local council is really like … Dumb Asses !! Keep up the good work Mark !
Yes, Matt was probably in the wrong for speaking from the seats, BUT, when it was his turn to speak, the rudeness of the elected officials REALLY came through. Very sad.
I am not a citizen of MC and this why i am glad that i am not…seems like a bunch of kids running the show…the ppl of MC need to do whatever it takes to get these disrespectful clowns off of the council..and how did Bookmeyer ever get the votes to become Mayor????? WOW!!!