MASON CITY – Janice Easley of Mason City – known for her dedication, hard work and volunteerism over the last two decades – gave Mason City Mayor Eric Bookmeyer a piece of her mind Tuesday evening at the city council meeting.
Immediately following the agenda portion of the meeting was the 82 year-old Easley, sitting next to At-Large Council member Alex Kuhn having a pleasant conversation, when she was approached by Bookmeyer, who has previously stated that he favors “young people” with “fresh ideas.”
After Bookmeyer interjected himself into their conversation, Easley told Bookmeyer that he is a “snake in the grass.”
The incident was mostly recorded by NIT cameras until Globe Gazette reporter John Skipper intentionally stood directly in front of the NIT camera.
“You’re a dirty snake in the grass,” Easley re-iterated to Bookmeyer, pointing her finger at the mayor for emphasis.
“Go away,” Janice told Bookmeyer.
Bookeyer then sauntered off to another conversation.
To find out why Janice was so upset with the mayor, tune in later Wednesday for a one-on-one interview.
30 thoughts on “Band shell savior Janice Easley to Bookmeyer: “You’re a snake in the grass” (VIDEO)”
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Why doesn’t your site require people to give their name? I believe that would cut down on the disrespectful comments. We all have to get along and listens to everyone’s opinions.
I can respect that request. However, some folks will only comment anonymously. I follow other news agencies closely, namely, the big ones like ESPN, CNN, etc. They all use anonymous sources. To me, comments on stories are similar. Sometimes, people have important things to say but fear repercussions. I do not want to miss this kind of information; many times it can be followed up on. That being said, my policy is to delete any comments that someone finds offensive if they legitimately contact me and ask. 99% of the time, I remove the comment. Also, we use a profanity blocker (software) to keep things even more clean.
@Anonymous-It sure seems strange to hear that question from someone who post under the name Anonymous.
Hahhaaaaa. Bookmeyer you pip squeek! You don’t even realize how many people think that of you. Oh sure you’ll get back in don’t worry. The other half that are up your ass will see to it. Funny tho we really think of you like that too. I’m one of them, can you guess? Give it a try. You’d shit. But I need you. I don’t have the balls to tell you straight out. Even when we drink I bite my tongue.
Luck is what you’re gonna need, maybe not right now but at some point in your life with all the rank you put out. It’s not just people who are watching you.
When is the bandshell going to be used again?
Saturday, movie at the park!
What the hell is John Skipper from the globe blocking the video for. Janice has every right to speak her opinion and the council needs to make a stand either for or against the Mayor. If what she is saying is fact and I believe it is then the council should publicly tell Bookmeyer to be open and honest.
Skipper is one of about three guys in town that is fat enough to be able to block us from seeing more than about half of Beermeister.
God bless you Janice. I’m sorry the mayor treated you this way.
Look at this council…What a joke! Vote the bums out!!!
At the very end of the video clip Janice states that lower income people have a right to things too. You’re correct Janice. The problem is, the mayor and most if not all of the people on our council simply have no idea (or don’t care) that all people are not afforded the same opportunities in life, OR, that a person might find themself in a lower income situation through no fault of their own and often times despite a sincere and hard fought effort to improve their income. For many (not all) people of upper income/social status, regardless of all their higher education and supposed deeper thinking abilities, they lose sight of the fact that for some individuals everything falls into place and for many NOTHING good EVER happens in spite of an honest and sincere effort to improve their life. It’s my opinion that the commonly held view, whether we’re talking about Eric Bookmeyer or Scott Tornquist or Jean Marinos or anyone of their ilk, is income relates to intelligence. While this may be true to some degree when examining all walks of life, DON’T FORGET, not all persons we’re afforded the same opportunities. Believe me, there ARE some very intelligent people that never had the chance to further their education OR found themselves in a lower income situation because of a myriad of possible circumstances. Unfortunately, for the social elite, it all becomes very black and white. If you don’t have money to burn, you must not be very smart.
I believe what I’ve talked about above has alot to do with the social divide in Mason City. But make no mistake, it’s not just a local issue – – it happens all over. I do believe it stands out more in Mason City because of the towns’ history ( an old meatpacking town, a “rough” town ). A lot of what has many people upset in this town has to do with the feeling that they don’t really have a voice of any kind and that our city “leaders” could care less about the less fortunate and will continue to run roughshod all in an effort to benefit a few.
Nicely presented. I agree and it (the Social Divide) is what is going to cause the downfall of society as we know it. Don’t know when, but it will happen. Mason City is just a needle in a pile of needles.
Having watched this debacle in person, first let me say that Ms. Easley calls it like she sees it, and she has very good reason for her opinion of Mr. Bookmeyer. The man has tried to bully her, and she didn’t take it laying down.
Second, I am just thankful that Bookmeyer did not motion to his personal assistant Brent Trout to physically approach and intimidate Ms. Easley and then try to have her removed from the library.
First of all, Brent Trout is as intimidating as a flea fart.
Wow! She’s on fire! And look at him sitting there smirking! If this doesn’t get him thrown out of office I don’t know what will!
God bless Janice. She speaks her mind with no filters, and you know what…she is usually right on, on a variety of subjects affecting this city.
Holy moly. Wow.
Can’t wait to see the interview with Matt. Janice tells it like it is.
Way to go Janice… You are an amazing woman!!! You have done so much for Mason City and go unrecognized for your efforts!!! Thanks for all you do!!
YAY for Janice. You Go Girl You Tell Them!
Skipper is the snake in the grass…
Silly me Skipper reminds me of Baby Huey from the old cartoon days and writes the same. What a stooge.
Why do you think he never graduated from the Globe-Gazette?
With age comes wisdom!
Wow, I can’t wait to sea/hear/read this interview. She’s pissed! Drunkmeyer certainly isn’t making any friends around here.
Give ’em hell! Then Skip gets his fat ass in the way like he’s the secret service. Joke.
I’m really on the fence here. Was Skipper’s form of censorship an attempt to hide the fact that not all is good in Mason City, or was he trying to hide the mayors’ over-the-top, blatant arrogance? Poor Bookmeyer, for as smart as he and obviously others in town think he is, obviously has no idea how foolish and uncaring he appears to be. Maybe smirking and openly laughing at people that are expressing an opinion and why they hold that view, is part of the “decorum” change talked about when he was elected? I think we’ve all seen examples of true leaders, be it in person, on TV, etc. You know, someone we deeply admired for their leadership abilities. I wonder how many TRUE leaders, if viewing this clip, would think “What an ass. Not going far in that capacity.”
I think he was trying to block NIT’s video shot of the arguement as he knew where it would end up. Fissure would have been a better blocker. Silly Me.