MASON CITY – In what is turning out to be a case of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” NorthIowaToday.com has learned that Mayor Eric Bookmeyer used City Hall resources to help hold a so-called “private” meeting called a “mayors luncheon” at the Mason City Public Library on March 26th.
NIT readers will recall that Bookmeyer and City Administrator Brent Trout forced the media to leave the “mayors luncheon” and called it a “private” meeting. When NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt refused to leave, Trout called police.
Details emerged on Wednesday straight from Mayor Bookmeyer himself, after Marquardt sent a series of probing questions to Bookmeyer, Trout and other officials inquiring about where invitations for the meeting were purchased and by whom, postage to mail the invitations, and who physically mailed the invitations.
Bookmeyer, in an extremely rare response to NIT, said this:
“The invitations came out of the credenza in the Mayor’s Office and had been in there for an indefinite period of time before I held this office. The deputy clerk physically dropped the invitations in the mailbox and the City of Mason City paid for the postage, amounting to $6.44.”
NorthIowaToday.com reported last week that City Hall staff also set up the reserved meeting room for the “mayors luncheon” while Bookmeyer commanded a city employee, Trout, to advance upon Marquardt and physically block him from doing his job.
Trout continued to defend Bookmeyer’s use of City Hall staff and resources for what he has called a “private” meeting yesterday, even dragging the good name of a former City Council member into the fray.
“It is not uncommon to have information/correspondence sent by the Deputy Clerk for the Mayor or City Council members,” Trout said. “She is considered their administrative support. In the past for example Don Nelson when a councilmember and others often had correspondence sent to people with the use of City postage and envelopes. It is considered an authorized use of time by the Deputy Clerk.”
Bookmeyer, Trout, and their media outlet the Globe Gazette have routinely taken shots at the former council. To date, the Globe Gazette has never reported on this “mayors luncheon” nor this series of events as it continues to unfold despite the fact that the State Ombudsman Office and other agencies are actively investigating at this time.
NIT will continue to investigate and report the truth at City Hall, the Courthouse and the School Board. Much more to come on this developing story.
46 thoughts on “More truth emerges in fallout from “mayors luncheon””
Who is Bookie
Hey bookie!! Get a job you bum!!
I’m surprised Mr. Marquardt puts up with these unfair, untruthful attacks on him and his family. How many of his detractors would want to work as hard as he does to get the real news out, while raising a boy as a single parent? Running a business isn’t easy, but NIT is thriving. Maybe that is what really upsets these liars.
Yeah, I sure hope in November Mr Mom doesn’t get re elected, he should be home taking care of the house,
now using our tax money for his benefits. Seen so many times how the elected or even the police officers just do the opposite of what they are supposed to be upholding. I watch the meetings every time and just laugh at how fast our mayor can read, almost like reading to his children so he can get out of the house and haven’t really seen any council members vote against his recommendations, or of Mr Trouts recommendations, looks like a yes council this round,
I have to agree with him reading so fast!! I have always thought it was disrespectful!!
I really think PETER should run for Mayor. I know, I know he is too old and feeble BUT he has a lot of GREAT ideas and knows just how to fix all of Mason City’s ills. I would LOVE to see Peter actually lead and not just take pot shots from the gallery.
I think these “Mayor’s lunches” have been occurring for a long time–in the past, the various towns in CG Co took turns hosting (Venture, CL, etc–in fact, I think CL’s Hankenson started them) and the supervisors are invited as a courtesy. The goal was to help these mayors know each other on a personal basis so that they wouldn’t hesitate to call to ask questions, etc. It was an effort to enhance cooperation. If that is still the purpose of these meetings, I think it is a social meeting at which the public would not be welcomed. But–I do believe it would be a good use of public funds. Anything to enhance cooperation in CGC should be supported.
Whoever “anonymous” in red ink is can’t spell and doesn’t understand usage, so we can pretty well cross him off the “educated person” list.
Btw, there’s only one other poster on here whose name is in red…
@sick_I know who you mean but this one doesn’t write the same way. However, you could be right. Was that you Red “R”?
Not it but thanks for thinking of me LVS.
@Anonymous, Shame on you. Shame on you for personally attacking someone’s family/parenting. There are many people that are smart enough and capable enough to separate their professional self from their personal/family self. I find it appalling that you would take something from someone’s youth and assume they haven’t grown up and moved on, they aren’t a good parent, etc. He has raised his son himself and he should be saluted for that! Being a single parent isn’t easy. Your comment just shows that you, apparently, have not grown up! Maybe Matt didn’t want to be your friend growing up, I don’t know. But, you hold some sort of grudge from YEARS ago. Let it go and shame on you!
I am appalled by the attempted personal attacks here on Mr. Marquardt and his family. “Anger problems”, you say? Having watched Matt on video as he exposes the shenanigans among our corrupt politicos of North Iowa, and their frequent disrespectful treatment of him as he does his job, conclusively proves that Mr. Marquardt holds his temper a heckuva lot better than most people would, myself among them. Interesting to read that Mr. Rowe, who admits he’s no fan of NIT, credits Matt with being honest. This site is the only dependable source of legitimate, relevant, newsworthy articles and reliable, fact-filled editorials around here. We look forward to reading it every day of the week.
I’m appalled by Trout. Your not invited…he sounds like some toddler in the playroom. I bet he was the same way in the sandbox. Yer not invited…we don’t want you here…we don’t want to be your friend.
This site is become more and more like Faux News. Matt is using his site (and I realize it is his) as a personal vendetta against city and county officials just as Faux News goes after Pres. Obama and the democrats. Both claim to do it while disguising as news media.
You are fully entitled to your opinion. Please explain where I have mislead the public.
I know, but ain’t it fun? I look forward to reading NIT every day.
Matt’s “personal vendetta” against city hall represents a lot of Mason City’s personal vendetta against the dolts who reside in city hall and the court house. Keep shining light on these creeps, Matt.
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.”
-Louis Brandeis
“Commanded”…..”to advance upon”…wow…sensational sounding words to say the least. Trout kept his calm…all the while you kept saying “what are you going to do…come on Brent..what are you going to do…do what you have to do…etc”. Trout used a calm voice and manners. Agree or disagree about the policy…but to make it sound like you did versus the video..kind of overboard.
I look forward to the results from the state and whichever way it turns out, please publish the results…whatever the may be.
John Rowe, next time you have a larger man who is trained to kill get in your face in an aggressive manor see how you handle it. Would you stand your ground, or run away? Easy to talk from behind your keyboard, sir, until you are put in that situation. The man went to slam a door in my face. Thanks for the criticism.
I spent 4 years as a bouncer in Iowa City…often dealing with people and athletes much larger, and often with liquid courage. If you see my comment as criticism…fine…at least its done with my real name. And again to be clear. I have no problem with reporting on facts and problems with policy.
John, are you saying I lied in the above story?
Lied? Oh good lord no. I never said that. In watching the video…he kept his calm. You kept repeating over and over…come on brent..what are you going to do…do what you have to do..etc. But in this article to say he was commanded…and he advanced, that seems over the top. Like I said..when the state ombudsman releases the findings..whatever they may be..I look forward to them.
Again..never once did I say you lied.
I stand by what I wrote. Eric gave Brent an order, and like a slave to Eric, Brent obeyed his master. Listen, John, you should know then as a former bouncer that when a man stands a few inches from your face and stares into your eyes, you might want to know what he is going to do, what his intentions are, especially if you yourself have no intention of moving or stepping aside. That is why I asked Mr. Trout what he was going to do. I was simply there to do my job, nothing more.
@Matt-the next time Trout reaches behind his back like he is going for a weapon hit him hard with anything you can find. It is called self defense.
Lvs are you kidding. Matt is the playground bully who when someone stands up to him suddenly becomes the victim when clearly he was the aggressor. John Rowe is right and Matt will never print the findings because they will tell him that there is nothing to Matt’s alleged story.
@Anonymous-I too was a bouncer in my youth and anytime someone reached for their belt or their pocket I would take them out. Never, ever give them time to pull a weapon. That goes for someone with a permit as well as someone without. Trout had no right to try to intimidate him by going for his weapon.
Good job Matt and NIT you were right that tax money paid for at least some of this meeting and hence it should have been open to the public and media. I believe the city council need to find out why the mayor and city administrator Brent Trout were dishonest with the people of Mason City. I don’t like paying for a figure head as city administrator and if that’s all he is good for lets save 150,000 plus dollars a year and get rid of the city administrator position.
Why weren’t all the Mason City council members at this so called private luncheon. Were they not invited, or did they feel it was wrong to attend? I would like to think that there are one or two on our council that have some respect and dignity for the position that they were elected to serve.
Excellent question. I’d like to know, too.
Both you and anonymous should both know by now that there is not a single person at that table worth spit. Name one, just one, can’t be done.
I’ll name one. George Anderson strikes me as a good and decent public servant.
I think “Attorney” may have been referring to the city council table but I could be wrong.
That’s cuz he’s from Nora, lol. Thank you for not throwing him into the same tank.
But he ate the free lunch didn’t he. Better have him investigated too.
I remember when the former Mayor bought some cups for a huge amount of money using city funds. and the council found out, and the Mayor had to reimburse the city for the amount paid for the cups. I think the council should do the same to Bookmeyer. The citizens should see whats going on in city hall. It is a cluster whats going on with the Mayor and Council. Hopefully in November, this will change for the better as long as the citizens get out and vote. Just sayin.
What does council members correspondent with citizens postage have to do with the Mayor having postage paid for a private lunch? Crazy excuse!
I never accused Brent Trout of being sane. Really, I am not sure he is. He seemed very much in a trance the day Eric set him upon me at the library. He was giddy at the prospect of seemingly finally having what he thought was his chance to come after me. The problem for these buffoons is that they act in the moment, showing their idiocy. Mason City is in real, real bad shape with this leadership. It keeps me up at night. Time for a whole new crop of leaders to step up and point Mason City in the right direction.
Matt will you ever grow up? Many years ago your parents new you had anger proplems. Just like your father. (mom very nice). You have carried this anger all these years and it is time to let go. You have problems with just about everything and everyone you come intouch with.And I mean everything and everyone. Think about it. Have you ever been happy? Really enjoyed your kid? Spent good fatherly time with him? Maybe you should see someone that can help you. Your just a big bully. Maybe you have married and have a family I do not know. The last I knew you left your mother to bring up your son. I hope he is doing well. Really Matt seek help before you hurt someone.
A TROLL. Disgusting.
You know. That is quite possibly the lowest comment left on NIT about me yet. In nearly three years of running NIT, no one has went there. I wouldn’t dignify your garbage with a response other than to say that my family and I are just fine and quite happy. Those who know me understand my motivation for creating NIT and sticking with it day after day after day. You can make these remarks about me in the future, but if you use a fake name, the comments will be deleted and you will be banned. It’s only fair that I be allowed to defend myself and analyze your motivations for attacking me and my family.
Who are you Matt? I honestly have no idea. I’ve never heard your name before this website. I’m a clean slate here…I know nothing.
This comment was completely uncalled for. Everyone has skeletons, everyone has been angry at some time in their life. I don’t know Matt personally, but this attack on him was below the line. He is doing a job, and a very good job. Mason city city hall is in horrible shape, the community is in horrible shape, and Matt is not the problem. He is the solution and bringing to light the corruption that Eric, Brent and Urdahl are doing and sadly getting away with. The public would not know anything about all this behind the scenes illegal nonsense, because the Glob is in the mayor’s back pocket. Keep it up Matt, don’t let haters like this get you down.
And another thing, you don’t think that Eric Bookmeyer has anger issues? Talk to anyone that works at city hall (except for Trout) and I’m sure that they can confirm he has anger issues. And pretty sure he has a bit of an alcohol problem also when he’s in the local taverns whiles his children are at day care.
@Brick. For what it’s worth. I am 40 years old. Mason City is my hometown. I graduated from MCHS in 1991. I attended NIACC and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1996 with a degree in history and minor in poli sci. I was a track athlete at MCHS and Iowa and I was a Drake Relays Champion miler and team captain. I have dozens of close friends and family; they will speak to my character. I own two houses in Mason City. I worked at the Globe Gazette from 2000 to 2006 when I resigned. I started my own business at that time and work from my home office. I was lucky enough to have a son, Chris, born in 1997 and I raised him alone. Thanks to my family for being there when I needed them all these years.
Wow, I really wish I knew who this anonymous person was that put this attack out on Matt’s character. While comments like yours don’t even warrent a response you ticked me off too much not to. Matt has no anger issues, I’ve known Matt for about 6 years and have never seen him do anything as much as to even raise his voice at anyone, he handles himself in a very calm and respectfull manor always. Matt a bully-farthest thing from it, he looks out for the underdogs of the world and tries to help them in anyway he can. As far as parenting skills, I have the upmost respect for any single parents out there, it has to be the toughest job there is. Matt seems to me to be doing a fine job with his son and I’m sure he will grow up to be a man of fine character as well, better than some anonymous person who trashes people on internet comments. if your goal was to tick somebody off and ruin their day, nice job, you succeeded.
@Anonymous-I think you are the same person who made the personal attack on me. If not, you certainly think like that person. In any event, you are a coward and a sneak. You obviously put a lot of though in how to put down Matt and try to discredit him without him having any way of knowing who you are. Matt has built a business on his own and I have never seen him do anything except support people who need it. He has worked very hard and it is a shame that a slime ball like you can come on here and try to destroy everything he has done. Shame on you. Matt, do not let people like this stop you. You are doing a great service to the people of North Iowa.