MASON CITY – The following information is two emails forwarded to the NIT newsroom Friday morning.
The first email was written by Dean Genth, the Mason City Human Rights Commission Chairperson. Mr. Genth helped lead a celebration this week after a Supreme Court ruling that recognized the rights of same-sex couples.
The second email was written in response to Mr. Genth’s email by Mason City Mayor Eric Bookmeyer, who has been instrumental is dismantling the Human Rights agency.
EMAIL WRITTEN BY DEAN GENTH:
Hello Everyone,
Yesterday was a most monumental and historic day in the annuls of American Civil Rights progress. I have asked Amy Simpson to forward to you the great TV Coverage that was given to the event held in Mason City’s Central Park last eve. Over 50 celebrants gathered to celebrate this Historic Day in U.S. History whereby the U.S. Supreme Court stuck down DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act) as being unconstitutional. With this sweeping and historic decision, many, many American citizens will be no longer be discriminated against and denied Federal benefits that all other married couples enjoy.
Given the historic significance of this event and the notice that was published in the Globe Gazette along with the broad Facebook postings of the event and the early TV coverage of the event on KIMT’s 5:00 p.m. news, I am extremely disappointed that we did not have attendance by Mason City’s Mayor, any City Council Members or any of the Human Rights Commissioners or any Friends of the Commission at the 7:00 p.m. Celebration. A lot of voters with extended families were able to plainly see which elected officials really have a heart for civil rights of individuals in Mason City.
Dean A. Genth, Chair
Mason City Human Rights Commission
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MAYOR ERIC BOOKMEYER RESPONSE:
From: Eric Bookmeyer
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 10:20 AM
Folks,
The author of the previous correspondence displays a lack of tolerance that is not acceptable and raises serious questions about one’s quasi-judicial temperament.
In fact, it is devoid of any awareness of any individual’s personal circumstance and is, in effect, bullying commissioners, friends of the commission, council members and the office of the mayor. However, it is loaded with baseless and harmful accusations.
It is disappointing that its genesis is from a quasi judicial commissioner, let alone the chair of the Human Rights Commission.
It is even more disappointing that the chair used a taxpayer paid administrative assistant to distribute a personal political message.
Although I appreciate the natural exuberance in an event I generally concur with, it is not acceptable to be in a position of influence and lay judgement upon other individual’s personal behavior, let alone their attendance at a political rally. In addition, the Human Rights Commission, and its department, is not to be used as a political operation.
To be clear, although this is a political appointment it is not a political office.
One of the core responsibilities of commissioners is to be respectful of the views of all our citizens and the resources made available to your commission.
In the future, it would be advisable to reserve one’s enthusiasm and criticism of others as you hold such a position.
Warmest regards,
Eric Bookmeyer, Mayor
Seems to me that Genth is abusing his power as the chair of the human rights commission. Thus trying to push his political beliefs down people’s throats and Bookmeyer called him on it. Don’t always agree with bookmeyer but in this case Genth is way out of line.
wonder how long before gays want this retroactive so they get tax status changed?
IE: we wanted to get “married” 15 years ago so I should be able to collect on partner’s SS
Peter, I originally said that I thought there should have been some sort of city representation there, but upon further thought, I do not. If the ruling had gone the other way and there was a gathering of people thrilled about it, I would hope city officials would not attend.
If gay couples want the same legal rights as straight couples, why would Eric Bookmeyer have a problem with it?
Bookmeyer should be turned in to the Civil Rights Commission for discrimination I hope we can put him out of office so he can stay home and take care of his kids, lol maybe he can open up Daddy Daycare, NOT, He can take the rest of those jokes on the council with him. We need all New people on the council and nobody from the past.
Seems weird to me that Bookmeyer would respond. Most people who call or write/email seem to get no response weird huh… almost as good as the dynmaic duo of Laskbook/Wernet anyone know how many crimes their family members have committed?
Some thoughts reading all this.
Thank you for some great humor this morning. There were some real rib ticklers among the comments.
Now that our government at all levels has validated the DOMA which under the circumstances were inevitable, a new term for a Man and Woman joining together should be found and adopted.
A healthy norm needs to be distinguished between a Gay Marriage for people of the same sex and a normal marriage for a man and a women.
After all the hard work of the gay community let them have the term Gay Marriage.
Should a new term for heterosexual marriage be coined, I wonder how long it will take the gays to want the new moniker so they can appear normal.
I am sure my idea will piss the gay tribe off, oh well!
I don’t know how Bookmeyer could be expected to attend and event that started at 7 pm when Happy Hour starts at 5.
on this one.
I am a young 20’s gay man I live here and work here in this community is this what the citizens of Mason City really care about? BORING!!!!!
Why do you think the younger generations leave this community? Cause this is just 1 more example of DRAMA behavior 2 officals fighting over who said what typical Mason SHITTY
Why didn’t this guy call out the head of the DOT? Or maybe the DNR? Hell how about the guy who checks to make sure the gas pumps are right. He has no business using his office/title for this.
Turn it around. What would be said it court had ruled the other way and a member who was anti SSM sent this letter. All hell would been turned loose