MASON CITY – Confusion. Bickering. Disagreements. Accusations. Raised voices.
Such was was the state of the Mason City Human Rights Commission Thursday at its monthly meeting held at City Hall.
As the meeting opened, the first disagreement was over the agenda itself. The commissioners disagreed with the order and rank of items on the agenda.
Perhaps the most tense issue of the meeting was selecting a vice chair. Colleen Devine was nominated but got only two votes; she was immediately opposed by commissioner Steve Palmer. Brian McNamara was then nominated as vice chair and that vote was split, and he didn’t get enough votes. Finally, Steve Palmer was elected vice chair after new commissioner Mark Stanton nominated him. All of this came after a disagreement on whether a new chair person should be elected. Chairman Dean Genth cited Roberts Rules of Order in showing that no new chair should be elected since he had assumed the position after former chair person Cameron Sarjeant resigned.
The next topic of contention – intermingled with the election of a vice chair – was when to send cases to Des Moines at the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and how many cases should be sent and even whether open cases should go there. That issue did not seem to get resolved, as facts and figures flew back and forth in the ensuing discussion.
Another topic on the agenda that brought interesting discussion was the idea of a “party” for out-going Director Lionel Foster. The agenda item was added, NIT was told, by Brian McNamara, who previously wanted to terminate Foster at least 6 weeks early. Steve Palmer claimed he was eliciting donations for a party. The commission decided to scrap the idea of spending money on a party and instead decided to give Foster a plaque for his 40 years of service.
The commission also held a lengthy discussion on ending Foster’s employment as Director. They finally decided no two week notice would be given, and his last day of work will be June 30th, 2013.
No City Council members nor Mayor Eric Bookmeyer were in attendance. City Administrator Brent Trout attended.
NIT was told that from a source close to the Commission that Thursday’s meeting was the culmination of “two hellish days” at City Hall that featured a tug of war over the meeting agenda, with commissioner Brian McNamara meeting with Brent Trout to alter the agenda. NIT was also told – and it was mentioned during the meeting – that commissioner Steve Palmer “barged into Lionel Foster’s office Tuesday, yelling and screaming … he slammed the door” as he left.
Watch video of entire meeting:
The socialist party rules !
The bald guy likes his power as “the chair” too much. My instincts say to reject this man.
remember election is coming up in Nov.
After watching the video this was a display of jack booted thuggery and political nastiness at its worst. The commissioners on one side of the table could care less about peoples rights they are there as storm-troopers for the mayor and city and they do it with a smile on their faces. The commissioners on the other side of the table must be completely frustrated by their agenda to destroy the commission.
By the way who the hell is steve palmer? What does he bring to the table besides being bookmeyers lap dog. Somebody please inform me.
Even the GLOB said the commission is disfunctional today. Old Lionel will be laughing all the way to the bank after he takes the city for all he can get. Remember this is the guy who along with his brother went after the city for stopping them from shooting off illegal fireworks and won. He will crucify them when he is ready. He said he didn’t want a party, just make sure his last check is ready.
Why wouldn’t the Globe agree the commission is dysfunctional? Bookmeyer wants to get rid of it, so of course the Globe is going to back him on this.
I really don’t see where Lionel Foster has a case. Lots of people have their jobs eliminated. He’s just one of them. He’ll lose if he goes after this.
@My Opinion-the comment in the GLOB was in reference to yesterdays meeting and all of the disruption there was. Palmer is a waste. He is nothing but a lackey for the mayor and everyone knows it. He tried to run for council and was defeated. There is a god. But then the devil (Mayor Drunkmier) resurrected him.
Well, watching this video of the June 6th, 2013 meeting of the Human Rights Commission, one observation is clear.
**It took Mayor Bookmeyer 3-1/2 years to appoint enough people to the Human Rights Commissioner to destroy the Human Rights Commission.**
I can see that the addition of Mark Stanton to the commission finally tipped the power to the Mayor to close down the Human Rights Commission.
Stanton should be ashamed of himself. To validate the obnoxious behaviour of Palmer by nominating and electing him as Vice-Chair is deplorable. This holds true of all the commissioners.
What they have done is NOT a service to the citizens of Mason City.
Truly a dark day for Mason City!
PS: Stanton you have lost a friend! I thought you had better character then this. Matt Dodge has also surprised me. His Grandpa Allen Dodge would be very ashamed of actions! He just rolled over in his grave!
Does not the Dodges as landlords stand to benefit by the crippling of the human rights office? A large landlord, who has had cases in the hr office before. Axe to grind, Mr. Dodge? Didn’t I read it here on NIT that Dodge cried all the way to Kansas City over one case?
Mason City took a 40 year giant step backwards today. It took 40 years to build a HR we could be proud and less than 4 years since bookmeyer has taken office to kill it. It was not done for what is best for mason city but what he wanted because of his personal reasons. You ask how he had anything to do what went on at that meeting today he has appointed everyone on that board or re-appointed the only one that really cares about it is Dean and they are doing everything they can to get rid of him. If booky would have to re-appoint Dean he would never do it because he is not a team player. I thank you Dean for trying to keep things going when it is clearly a up hill battle for you.
Falling apart already and Old Lionel hasn’t even left yet.