MASON CITY – The talk about this fall’s city elections in Mason City is ratcheting up as the days and weeks whittle away. November is still far off, but speculation around town continues to mount as to whether a credible challenge will be mounted by candidates to unseat Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and three council members who have basically followed him in lock-step.
One of the undeclared potential candidates is former council member Max Weaver. NIT conducted a lengthy interview with Weaver recently where he was asked if he would run, with Weaver indicating he is undecided. Shortly after NIT lead the way on that story, the Globe Gazette once again followed with a story about the prospects of a Weaver candidacy. Weaver was never contacted by the Globe Gazette for that story. “John Skipper hasn’t called me in four years,” Weaver said Wednesday.
Another potential candidate is current ward two council member Travis Hickey. Hickey has been a strong Bookmeyer supporter and is said to have joined Bookmeyer at local watering holes on many occasions, presumably talking strategy. Hickey has refused to say whether he is running, but NIT was informed today that Hickey was overheard at a local eatery bragging about being offered multiple donations of $1,000 to his campaign should he decide to run. Hickey did not immediately respond when asked to verify this information.
Another potential candidate is ward four council member Janet Solberg, also seen at booze joints with Bookmeyer. Solberg has never made a public statement as to whether she intends to run, and has really said very little in the last couple years. The last profound statements Solberg made was months ago when she announced at a City Council meeting that Mason City had lost 3,000 people in the 2010 census. Truth is, Mason City lost 1,093 people in the 2010 census. Solberg, an insurance saleswoman, also tried to force renters in Mason City to buy renter’s insurance. Solberg is not known for working closely with her constituents – except for the time she picked on a Latino church in her neighborhood – so perhaps she is wondering if running again could be embarrassing.
In the at-large race, council member Scott Tornquist has made no announcements either. Tornquist was seen this weekend at a Harley Davidson cookout looking extremely out-of-place. Tornquist is a self-proclaimed expert on city sidewalks; he just happens to live in a neighborhood – Asbury – that has no sidewalks. Tornquist already has a challenger for his seat, Jody Draper, who is putting in serious effort to win. She is door-knocking and sitting with Mason City residents and learning about their concerns. “It’s been an eye-opener,” Draper said recently. It is very likely that much more will be heard from Draper as the election season heats up.
And of course, the big race is for Mayor, even though the mayor position is mostly ceremonial. Eric Bookmeyer is currently employed as our Mayor, and that’s a good thing for the city’s jobless rate. Bookmeyer is a self-proclaimed “stay at home dad” who is really never home all day and employs maids and a daycare service. You will see Bookmeyer’s SUV with the blue license plates parked at City Hall, the Country Club, or the offices of various so-called high-rollers all day long. Bookmeyer has made no formal declaration as to his intentions to seek re-election, but he has been seen at the courthouse picking up voter registration data and other records that only a candidate would need. Quinn Symonds has declared for the mayor’s race, but little has been heard from Symonds since a brush-up weeks ago with his now former landlord. Symonds has ran for office before and lost; he has said that he thinks he has a good chance this time around due to the unpopularity of Bookmeyer. Another name batted around – one day it is said he is in, the next day he is definitely out – is former Mayor Bill Schickel. One former city council member who served three decades ago said the rumor of Schickel running is all a ploy to discourage other candidates from getting involved, so Schickel’s pal Bookmeyer will have an easier time. A high-ranking City Hall official disagreed, saying Schickel and Bookmeyer are not close.
NIT will continue to monitor the city election landscape.
Go ahead and rethink that Matt Rezab.
Doh really? No charges you are sh$!ing me?! No way. Wake up.
Matt, love the way the Glob now follows you. You must be very proud of leading the Glob newsroom. They can’t help but be jealous of your insight and network of informants. I get up every morning atwitter at what you will have on NIT. Great job and keep up the leadership!
Mr. Rezab you ask, since when is it illegal to go to a bar?
You miss the point!
The citizens of Mason City should have elected leaders that INDEPENDENTLY represent the people.
The latest flock of elected officials are far from independent of each other. This group has a titular head that tells them what to do. They meet in bars to plot and plan how they can use their elected power.
This is not how a “Republic” is to be goverened. We elect people in a “Republic” to “Govern By Consensus.”
This group of elected officials do not subscribe to that form of representation.
I do blame the voters for this!
Nichole Bench is that right? If you knew anything that would be something. Since that does not apply let’s clear it up for the kids here on NIT.
This is how dumb and hateful you are…Weaver couldn’t hold a job? The dude hasn’t clocked in since the 70’s at which time he had worked for years. He happens to be ultra loaded, no one knows this or would believe it. So exactly what place of business could he not hold a job? Too funny. You don’t know shit. Well maybe that, so full of it.
By the way…Weaver did hold the position to the citizens for years!
Weaver doesn’t want to be some wage slave, he has better ways to use his time, like volunteering and creating an awesome garden. You jealous haters who owe “the man” 40-50+ hours of your time every week are pathetic.
Her hairness!
Nichole(in the head)!st off your beloved Bookmeyer is a stay at home at least he says so. How might that be different? And excuse me Weaver’s kids are like waaay too old for a stay at home dad title. Goes to show you how much you know.
Just say the truth you can’t stand Weaver so you will say anything! It will be a pleasure to see the day you need that side of the truth in life.
And Rezab, come on they got in a fight the very night Kuhn was elected..booze joints are relevent to these guys. I’ve hit a glass with the alchi’s myself. It’s what they do.
I’ve yet to see a criminal charge of any kind. If I’m wrong please correct me. Rumor and hearsay don’t impress me, neither do people who comment under screen names.
I don’t agree with everything the council has done the past couple years, but since when is it illegal to go to a bar? Why all the innuendo about “booze joints” and “watering holes” as if we live 80 years ago in prohibition America? If one of them breaks the law after drinking then it becomes relevant to their candidacy. They’ve got a political voting record if you want something to attack, can we stick to that please?
BTW, this is not written as an editorial, it’s presented as straight news, if they were seen talking at Target would that be included?
There is no ratcheting up; on rumor and speculation of who may run. I want someone literate and who can speak in complete sentencing when finishing a thought. Max doesn’t cut it. He is a stay at home dad, living off his wife, because he couldn’t hold a job. I don’t care about someone’s social habits and I know a lot of stay-at-home mom’s who have housekeepers and daycare.
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@Nichole Bench-We all know you love Bookie and his henchmen. But, you need to get your facts straight before you post. Weaver worked at Northwestern Cement and hurt his back (called a work injury). As far as I know he has been on disability ever since. Perfectly legitimate. He spent a good deal of his adult life serving the people of this city and was pretty good at it. His children are grown now so I don’t think you can call him a stay at home Mom. But at least when they were young he did stay home and take care of them and as I recall he home schooled them as well. I met his boys one time and they were very polite and respectful young men. What is your claim to fame?
As all of these comments are opinions, they should all be taken with a grain of salt. So here are my 2 cents.
Max was “pretty good at it” referring to serving the city as a councilperson. That is, in my opinion, ridiculous. He was horrible. Many cities across Nothern Iowa and Southern Minnesota laughed at us. I respect his time commitment and passion, but more often than not disagreed with his views.
The continual reference to Mayor Bookmeyer, or Councilpersons Hickey, Solberg, etc. going to a drinking establishment, well, drive me crazy. Why can’t they? Are they of legal age? YES. They can’t grab a beer or cocktail. Don’t throw stones from glass houses, as I would guess, many of you also enjoy an adult beverage from time to time.
I used to live in central heights she has done nothing to get the streets paved she sits on the council so her resume can look good she has buffaloed the citizens group .Should write all the names in the cemetery draw a name they would get more done then she does.
I used to live in central heights she has done nothing to get the streets paved she sits on the council so her resume can look good she has buffaloed the citizens group .Should write all the names in the cemetery draw a name they would get more done then she does.
I can’t speak about Solberg because I do no live in her ward and only know what I have heard (rumors). However, I don’t like what I have heard. Hickey however, is the councilman in my ward and I have been through a lot of them. He is the worse I have ever seen. I have sent him many e-mails over the years with no response at all. I don’t think he even knows where the Northwest section of town is. Most (if not all) of the other councilmen have been very responsive when contacted with a issue but not Hickey. If anyone else runs against him I will vote for the other guy. Turncoat on the other hand is a arrogant, obnoxious elitist in my opinion and I will definitely vote for anyone else who runs against him and I hope it is Max Weaver.
I DO live in her ward. I have only tried to contact her once and I got the same response that everyone else that I have talked to in this ward has gotten…NONE.
LVS….is it Ok if I talk to myself (supposedly..YOU)??? LMAO!
I mean me…you? Shit I’m confused. Last time I checked, I was me and you were a cranky old gentleman that lives on the North End.
One who I respect tho!….
@My Voice-you go right ahead and talk to yourself. That way you will get to have an intelligent conversation. A little different than what happens here sometimes.
Nice article. Info the Glob couldn’t dream of getting. I agree with most of it. And what is the deal with Solberg, does she think she is Tony Soprano’s sister? Where did she get that leather jacket in her official photo? Keep it classy Janet!