MASON CITY – Former Mason City Council member Leonard Foster was written about today in the Globe Gazette’s website, sources told NIT. Political reporter John Skipper wrote that Mr. Foster is a candidate for either the Mayor’s seat or Second Ward City Council.
Upon hearing of this development, NIT contacted Mr. Foster to confirm his possible candidacy and ask about any interview he may have given the Globe Gazette.
“I’m not in the newspaper, I have it right here,” Mr. Foster said. “I haven’t declared anything,” he said, not having any idea that John Skipper had already published a story about him practically within minutes of a phone conversation the two men had earlier Monday.
Apparently, Mr. Foster called to speak to John Skipper today and voice his concerns about Skipper’s reporting, and admitted to Skipper he was contemplating a run for office. Based on that one conversation, Skipper wrote his story Monday on Foster’s political aspirations and other opinions on how business has been handled at City Hall.
“I’m surprised he did a story, it wasn’t an interview, it was a conversation,” Mr. Foster told NIT.
“The truth is, I may run for Second Ward, At-Large or Mayor,” Mr. Foster said. “I have no press release at this time.”
One local political insider told NIT that “this is now how Skipper and the Globe operate. It’s a rumor mill. He just wrote a story a week ago about not believing rumors about the mayor, and then he takes a phone call and creates news out of nothing, a conversation.”
John Skipper and the Globe Gazette also ran a story about mayoral candidate Quinn Symonds, who had not released any information to the press about running for mayor prior to John Skipper writing about his supposed candidacy. Symonds had only mentioned on his Facebook page that he was interested in running, and Skipper ran with the story. Symonds later admitted he was a formal candidate for mayor.
City Council candidate Jody Draper was was given more respect by John Skipper, who upon hearing that Mrs. Draper had announced her candidacy for the At-Large City seat on NIT made numerous phone calls to her to confirm her intentions.
Eventually, Mrs. Draper called John Skipper back and he got his story.
Wow…steel panther. what a racist. old white man? and what about the brother of color? is he a n///er just filling in? only in mason city..where is my sheets?
What do you expect when you call a newspaper reporter. Did you call to ask where to get the best ham and eggs? Did you call to check out the weather? Did you call to fin d out the Powerball numbers? Were you calling about a social invitation> Not! No when you call a newspaper reporter you are talking to them about news. Unless you specifically said that your comments were not for public information than you have no beef with a reporter. Even Matt and Peter should recognize that. If this is one of Lionel’s finer moments than he is sadly lacking as a candidate.
Both the Foster brothers are very honerable men. When Leonard was on the council he was the hardest working guy at that table. You might note he was the very first person of color ever to sit there. Why did it take 150 years? I will vote for him.
Skipper has no value in society today. Old men like this desperately need to pass on and leave this world and do us all a favor. I don’t want that fat old redneck have any influence in my life. NONE, ZERO.
Leonard is a honest and honorable man. If he decides to run I really wish him well. At least when he was on the council he would listen to the people. He attended every North End meeting which is something Hickey is to good to do. He just might pull it off this year as we are tired of having someone on the council who is just a yes man for the mayor. We need someone who will represent the people.
Take a good look at old Skipper? Is the kind of old white man that you want having ANY influence in your life?
It’s long overdue that this old man is kicked to the curb. I’d rather see little girls run things at this point. What I don’t want is old dinosaurs like this evening opening their big yappers at this point in my life. Enough is enough!
Quinn will only be a candidate IF he gets enough signatures…..and he won’t.
Matt two things. Instead of saying political insider why don’t you just say Max Weaver. My next question is did you talk to Foster before or after he got home from Papas. You guys talk about the mayor and his supposed drinking in public. Every one knows you can go to Papas on daily basis and find Leonard and Lionel on the back the backside of the bar having a drink. Do I care? No. They are grown men but just saying you would crucify Bookmeyer if he was doing the same thing.
No different than the rumor mill here.
Mr. Foster better not P**S the Globe off if he is really thinking about running.
I love this line on the ultimate rumor mill”One local political insider told NIT that “this is now how Skipper and the Globe operate. It’s a rumor mill.”
Funny stuff.
Well, I guess, when talking to the media– you need to state that it is off the record… otherwise u can get burned….