Welcome to NorthIowaToday.com’s open discussion platform on Mason City’s general election, to be contested this fall. Below you will find each candidate on the ballot for either Mayor or City Council and information about each. A spirited discussion on the election and issues facing the City is encouraged.
Mayoral candidates:
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Eric Bookmeyer, Quinn Symonds, Max Weaver
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(INCUMBENT) Mr. Bookmeyer‘s goal since becoming Mayor: To make City business as boring as watching paint dry. He is known for back-room deals brokered out of the public eye. He is also known for creating a hostile work environment at City Hall after two complaints were filed against him (source). Mr. Bookmeyer helped create a culture in Mason City where $9.50 jobs are “amazing” and an “over-achievement.” Mr. Bookmeyer has claimed that he favors “young people” with “fresh ideas” over older citizens.,Mr. Symonds aims to bring free city-wide wireless internet access to Mason City. He is a single parent and a NIACC student. Mr. Symonds said he wants “Decorum at council meetings as well as fiscal responsibility and forward progress.”,Mr. Weaver has served three terms as a City Council member. He is known for his tireless research on important issues and treating all citizens equally. Mr. Weaver has steadfastly criticized the Chamber of Commerce and North Iowa Corridor and other entities that do little or nothing for the common citizen. He is known for his art garden near downtown Mason City.
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At-Large City Council candidates:
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Mr. Foster previously served as a City Council member. He has not spoken about his platform for this election.,(INCUMBENT) Mr. Tornquist is a consultant to an engineering company who works from home. He is known for his desire to cripple Human Rights in Mason City. He has said publicly that he is “resistant to change” and that “technology scares me.” He has also said that keeping City Council meetings away from the public “may not be all bad.” (source). Mr. Tornquist is known for running out of a City Council meeting when tough questions were forthcoming from NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt. Mr. Tornquist writes his opinions about City business on a web site he created.
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Ward 2 City Council candidates:
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Jodi Draper, Cheryl Gerk, Travis Hickey
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Mrs. Draper is a mother of six children. She has knowledge and expertise working with budgets and grants and City/County entities in a twenty-one county area through her job with Cerro Gordo County. She told NIT that she believes that a government should be a service for the people. She said that recurring questions from the public have been: What about good paying jobs? Jobs with benefits? Jobs that could support a family? Why have we not taken advantage of the opportunity for economic development on the south side of Mason City? How can the average citizen be heard?, Ms. Gerk is a frequent attendee of City Council meetings and regularly speaks at the public forum. She said that she is a native of Mason City and attended parochial school at Holy Family while graduating from Mason City High School in 1966. She also said that she is a 1968 graduate of Mason City Junior College as a salutatorian of the class.,(INCUMBENT) Travis Hickey has been a steadfast Eric Bookmeyer supporter and has voted with Mr. Bookmeyer’s agenda nearly 99% of the time. Mr. Hickey ran for office 4 years ago on a platform of “jobs jobs jobs” and quieting the train noise in the city. About twenty-six jobs that pay $9.50 per hour were brought to Mason City in 2013 through his North Iowa Corridor and the trains blare their horns as loud as ever. Mr. Hickey recently compared City Hall business to a McDonald’s.
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Ward 4 City Council candidates:
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Mr. Marquardt is a business owner and a property owner in Mason City where he was raised. He is a single parent. He is an out-spoken critic of the Chamber of Commerce and the North Iowa Corridor. Mr. Marquardt stated that “Cronyism and favoritism would be eradicated and not tolerated. The City and its citizens come first at all times.”,(INCUMBENT) Mrs. Solberg is an insurance agent who instructed City staff to pursue a requirement for low income renters in Mason City to purchase renter’s insurance which can be bought at her insurance office. Mrs. Solberg brought her boss to City Hall and pulled the City’s insurance policies in order to check the premium payments and then sought to open bidding on the policies. Immediately upon being sworn into office in 2010 Mrs. Solberg launched a campaign against City staff which got so bad that an outside attorney had to be hired at taxpayer expense to mediate the issue. Mrs. Solberg is a 100% rubber stamp for Eric Bookmeyer and has never voted “no” on any item on his agenda. Mrs. Solberg has been known to frequent local watering holes with Mayor Bookmeyer and Second Ward Council member Travis Hickey.
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I don’t come to this website often, but I came looking for some information about the candidates. I get that the incumbents we have are no good, and I TOTALLY AGREE with that. But if your going to an article with candidate info and discussion, leave the bad-talking to those posting comments. Can’t the article from the website atleast have decent information? Come on, was Bookmeyer’s goal really “To make City business as boring as watching paint dry.” I doubt it. Please give real information, even on the candidates you don’t like and leave it up to the VOTERS! Thanks for reminding me why I don’t come to this website often.
Everything above is true. The mayor really said it. And by the way, you are here all the time, you have four pages of comments, so don’t be like Skipper and lie.
I do huh? I don’t think I’ve ever posted on this website before. Maybe I picked the same name as someone else if thats what your going off. Or you just made it up completely and that makes you the liar.
FROM NIT STAFF: Comment deemed inappropriate.
To: Howard Query, Publisher/Editor of the Globe Gazette.
Howard, this must be reported in the Globe Gazette.
This story about Bookmeyer’s bullying and drinking is very much newsworthy.
Mason City Citizens have been robbed of the right to have a voice in their local government. That right was taken away 4 years ago beginning with the seemingly small gesture of bringing decorum to City Council meetings. A timer was initiated to prohibit certain individuals from speaking for more than 5 minutes. This mayor promised to restore said decorum to public forums but instead began years of bullying and disrespecting citizens. The Council meetings have become nothing more than a group of bobble-heads seated behind a table patting each other on the back. As citizens, we gave up and stopped attending Council meetings and/or going to City Hall where we don’t feel welcome.
The bullying continues to this day with the Mayor’s recent tirade on “Ask the Mayor”. He spewed lies and venom over the open microphone. He told us what he thinks of Mason City – loud and clear.
I was not surprised to see that a member of his re-election committee is none other than the President of Vi-Cor. That explains why the City ordinance of obnoxious odors will never be enforced as long as this Mayor has the power to bully.
A bar near the intersection of 6th and South Federal has Vote for Eric Bookmeyer on their building sign. This same bar temporarily lost its liquor license for serving underage kids this summer. This should scream volumes to all of us.
No debates this election season. This hasn’t happened in the past 50 years in Mason City. Why??
Mason City citizens must vote in this election! Vote absentee or vote on November 5th but go vote. What better way to show our children that bullying won’t be tolerated. You cannot remain silent any longer – our future and our children’s future depends on your vote. Speak up!
Is it true or not, the Eric Bookmeyer used to bring his young son into the bar on South Federal, the one that wants you to vote for Eric? Did he do it or not?? And did he or did he not then DRINK BOOZE while he was in there with his son? YES OR NO???
Yes, it is true. I took it upon myself to ask several regulars and an employee about this “rumor.” ALL confirmed. Two of them also added that there was more than one occasion where witnesses were concerned for Bookmeyer’s child’s safety upon departure. Do u think anyone called the police, took his keys, or insisted upon driving them (or even just the child) home? Nope. It’s OBVIOUS that the owners/employees care little about the safety of their patrons and/or the general public. Sounds like Tailgaters and Bookie are a perfect match. The Mayor doesn’t even care about his own son’s well-being…why would anyone think he’d care about the average citizens’?
Election season is upon us right here in River City. Before you blast me please take note that I am just a regular citizen that has chosen to live here. I work full time at a local “Mom & Pop” retail establishment that I’m very proud of and feel lucky to be a part of. I am not a political person but I like to be aware of what’s happening within the community. Within a month we will have an election. This election we will be asked to choose our mayor, the person that should have our cities best interests at heart and a city council that for lack of a better term be “the cities cheer leaders”. As an average resident I feel very uninformed. Do the people running for their spot in our cities government not understand that the average person has no idea why we should vote for them? The dollar menu at a drive thru Restuarant at least has a description of each menu item. To the people brave enough to run for an elected position in Mason City, please provide us “Regular Joe Citizen” a chance to hear all of your sales pitches all at once in an orderly forum. We would love to hear what you have to say.
Hickey better get his head out of his arse, cause he won’t get one railroad vote.
@Matt Deibler,
Your posts are really telling.
Not only are you not honest you intersperse your rants with propaganda.
Who do you think you are fooling?
You said, “Don’t confuse the issue though the Globe doesn’t have a candidate running for an elected office, NIT does.” That is a bunch of bull!
If your going to have an issue with NIT continuing to write articles and edit them in regards to this election while running for office then you better be getting on the Globe Gazettes case.
The Globe Gazette has been carrying Mayor Bookmeyer’s water for the last 4 years. Bookmeyer IS the Globe Gazette’s candidate in this election.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Globe Gazette keeps Bookmeyer informed about every detail the Globe Gazette learns.
Then you ask, “where was the list of positive accomplishments in the bios of Mr Marquardt’s opponent?
There aren’t any! In fact Ms. Solberg has not done one thing since she has been in office except make the people in the 4th ward mad.
Again you say, “Please don’t mistake me for someone who cares who wins these elections.”
I’ll repeat myself here, you also said, “First I want to clarify that I have no interest in the outcome of any of these elections on a personal level because I do not live in Mason City and they won’t affect me on a day to day basis.”
If you didn’t care you wouldn’t blog!
I consider you a phoney and lying about your intent for blogging.
Like I said before, you do not like Matt Marquardt and will try and find fault with Mr. Marquardt where there is none.
Sorry
Don’t you be worrying about Max.
Why isn’t Max Weaver out campaigning?
Oh we know. We know the majority of voters are FOR the liars on board.
We just like all the stress these freaks get to feel for a minute. All the truths, all the nasty deeds, all the pressure then they go back to hurting our town and simply not being very nice.
All the history made for their kids to read about when they are grown. All the regret as they sit when too old to ask for forgiveness.
And the real kicker is their very own consciences. We love it!
We KNOW the people they are never win in the long run of life!
This isn’t about you, Peter.
There is one possibility that no one here is pointing out so I will do it for all of you. It’s just possible that the incumbents could win re-election. You people just may have to get used to that idea.
Mr. Matt Deibler,
Ethical Concerns in the media, really?
If you want to expound on media ethics, then you better start with the Globe Gazette. Mason City’s old time media outlets lie to the citizens all the time. They withhold facts that are newsworthy from the citizens about Mason City’s Government. Lying is worst then the way the Globe Gazette distorts or sugar coats the information they print to keep the voters dumb ed-down.
In case you don’t understand the ethical importance of lying, I’ll spell it out for you.
WITHHOLDING INFORMATION IS THE SAME AS LYING, standard operating procedure for our old time local media outlets.
You want to find fault with Mr. Marquardt and NIT because he puts out factual information in his reporting. I hope you realize you have it BASS-ACKWARDS!
You need to step into the real world of today. The internet has changed the world of reporting. The people are hungry for honesty. NIT’s honest and ethical approach to reporting the news may be something YOU don’t like but for most of humanity, it is long overdue.
Character, Honesty, and Ethics are all going to be issues in this campaign.
Explaining the Mayoral candidate Max Weaver’s popularity is easy, because he has good character and always been in the forefront providing the citizens with the facts.
Matt Marquardt gets an A+ for his ethics in reporting.
Get it?
Matt Deibler does have a very valid point. It does give an appearance of a conflict when the candidate is also the reporter, editor, and CEO of the news outlet. I don’t know how Matt M. can be “fair and balanced”. It seems that it would be human nature to have a bias toward yourself in this case.
No Matt Deibler does not have any valid points.
It is easy to be fair when you are HONEST! I know that may be a foreign concept to you. That is understandable because we have all been lied to so much and so often, it has become a norm.
We have all been maligned so much by the media’s propaganda that nobody trusts anybody anymore.
There is no conflict when your honest,
I know that Matt Marquardt IS fair and balanced because he is HONEST. He corrects his facts as soon as he finds them wrong and takes responsibility for them. That character is in short supply today!
You speak about personal bias? I hope everyone has some bias towards themselves. It is the only way self-introspection can occur and we can personally improve our own moral compass.
You lose on every point!
Oh and I can still see right through you, Matt!
Watchdog what is it that you see when you look through me? Transarency is a good thing and why i post under my real name unlike you. I am sure all the things about all the other candidates that gets posted here might be true. So glad i dont live in Mason. I still think its a conflict of interest to be running for office at the same time publishing articles that present yourself in an even handed way while dwelling purely on the negative of your opponent. Even if it is all true it seems like it would violate campaign laws.
Dont get me wrong Matt has the right to say whatever he wants about the candidates and if he was doing so on a campaign website it would be totally legit or if he wasnt running for office. Since he is though i think there are lines being blurred in the area of campaign ethics.
Matt, appreciate your perspective. I will rest on the 1st amendment, which gives all of us freedom of speech. I think any informed voter or citizen for that matter, can get information here on NIT and take that into consideration as they read other news outlets and research the candidates. I have never, ever shied away from what I always have been as the Publisher of NIT: A truth-teller who runs a hard-hitting, common sense news website. I will continue to be just that.
Matt, you are not getting it. It is ok to run for office and be in the news business and report at the same time. Just because he presents the facts from a REAL perspective instead of a sugar coated view you think that is somehow wrong and a conflict.
This is where you and I are most different. I see Mr. Marquardt’s reporting and running for office (win or lose) a very good thing. It is healthy for the citizens to see the facts and debate out in the open instead of being kept in the dark by our current old time media. I see THAT as the bias not Mark Marquardt or NIT’s reporting.
You just refuse to accept that Matt Marquardt is an HONEST person. You don’t want the open reporting and want to label it as bias. That is pure BS. His reporting has proven that he is HONEST and that is precisely why you and the Bookie gang don’t like him.
The Bookie gang don’t want the truth out there.
What I am talking about is REAL TRANSPARENCY, not the controlled news that you promote!
Also, when I say I see right through you, I am referring to your veiled dislike of Mr. Marquardt.
You have tried to hide behind finding fault with Mr. Marquardts reporting when there is no fault to find!
Watchdog you are really putting a lot of words in my mouth that I have never said. You said that witholding information is the same as lying. So where was the list of positive accomplishments in the bios of Mr Marquardts opponent? If you are only listing negative things and not positives then that is not only biased it is a lie according to your own logic. Please don’t mistake me for someone who cares who wins these elections. I lean left so most likely I would end up voting for Marquardt if I lived in Mason City. Don’t confuse the issue though the Globe doesn’t have a candidate running for an elected office. NIT does and he is abusing the position to win votes. If he wants to claim the moral high ground then he should have someone else step in an run NIT during the campaign or abstain from writing articles about the race he is in. It is the only way to avoid a conflict of interest. Which is an ethical issue that good journalists would avoid. Maybe you can run it for him if you are not him.
Nowhere above does it say at all that the information is “bios.” It says “information.”
On the topic of economic development, I recall attending a number of hearings regarding the “waste to energy” facility that was much hyped a couple years ago. Many of the elected officials and EDC board members have maintained a grunge against a particular Clear Lake City council member who, as a member of the North Iowa Landfill, voted in opposition of that project. Although the overwhelming number of board members also voted “no” to it as well. Clear Lake had enough weighted votes to sink the ill-conceived proposition. That was supposed to be such a magnificent project, which has yet to be established anywhere else by the way. Matt M should not be held to the same standards as the incumbent. He has not benefited from being an elected official and having the same opportunities to effect change. We have to determine if we have been satisfied with the past 4 years or not. No harm in voting either way – just vote! A vote for Matt may simply represent a vote against Mrs Solberg and vice-versa. It doesn’t have to mean that one of the candidates has the magic beans that are going to transform MC into the next Silicon Valley.
First I want to clarify that I have no interest in the outcome of any of these elections on a personal level because I do not live in Mason City and they won’t affect me on a day to day basis. While I am sure this will result in a personal attack on me from my past experiences with the operator of this site. I am going to say it anyway. My issue is with the fact that Matt Marquardt is continuing to write articles and edit them in regards to this election while running for office himself. This is an obvious conflict of interest that any serious journalist would avoid at all costs. I know people who edit for news blogs and resign their position to work on someone else’s campaign just to avoid the appearance of impropriety. I would think that he would want to do the same. Can you please explain why this separation has yet to happen? These bios are a good example of why someone running for an elected position should not be in charge of the content of a media outlet reporting on them. There are ethical concerns that need to be raised in this particular case and if any other candidates are in charge of a media outlet they need to have their ethics questioned as well.
@Matt Deibler,
“First I want to clarify that I have no interest in the outcome of any of these elections on a personal level because I do not live in Mason City and they won’t affect me on a day to day basis.”
You started your blog with a lie. If that statement was true, then why blog at all?
I can see right through you!
Because if I see something that is wrong I point it out. Please prove that it was a lie.
@ Matt Diebler. I agree with you 100%. I read this site only for entertainment. I get a lot of good laughs off of this site. It’s comparable to the National Enquirer.
You make valid points, which I’m sure any solid journalism program would support. I went to a major university, and many of my classes were held in the journalism building. In the journalism “hall”, was a large copy of the ethics a journalist needs to abide by. I didn’t really read, as I wasn’t a journalism major, but I do remember seeing it and the importance it held in providing guiding ethical principles for journalist.
^well hello there, crookmeyer chronie^
@Deibler-what is the difference between the mayor and his trained monkeys having Old Skipper in their back pocket and what Matt does in earning a living. If you think for one second that Matt can influence Children you are badly mistaken. As for your elitist buddy “Mason City” if you did go to a major college it is to bad you wasted all that money because you sur didn’t learn much.
@Deibler: You’re correct. This web site should be labeled as a campaign web site instead of as a news “portal”. What has gone on here seems to be totally unethical journalistically.
I’ll be so glad when this election is over, but then we’ll have to listen to the smacking of lips as the losers lick their wounds and place blame on everyone except themselves.
Hey Katie. Then let me be he first one to suggest that you get lost if you don’t like it.
Another person whose education wasn’t taken seriously.
Mr. Marquardt with all do respect you should distance yourself from City Politics when it comes to your site here. Maybe out source this section to someone else and actually send out questioners instead of scanning their Facebook or just from your personal opinion.
It would do you better than sitting here and arguing with Quinn and Other possible voters.
Quinn is a non starter. He is a plant to confuse the voters!
@ThatGuy-Why would Matt distance himself from being able to communicate with the people that are interested in his opinion? All of the other candidates can come on here and voice there opinion. They already have their lackeys on here trying to discredit everyone who is running against the new candidates.
He shouldn’t distance himself from getting his opinion out. He should do it as editorials and not as source of info for Voters. This section should be void of Mud Slinging, and relate to the facts of the Candidates and the election. A news source is supposed to be unbiased and give each candidates equal voice. This is merely mudslinging.
Seriously, these bios are a frickin joke. Matt it’s real easy to slander the Mayor and Council, it’s a lot harder to govern. What are your plans to improve the community? How would you promote the community and bring jobs if you were elected?
The voters deserve a real campaign based on issues, with slates of candidates who have actual ideas to improve the area.
First of all Dave from Des Moines, clean up your language. This is a family-oriented news website.
Secondly, you claim slander. I invite any candidate listed above to hire attorneys and meet me in court if slander is true. However, they will not do so, because everything NIT published is true. I can prove it is all true, and none of them will deny the statements. I can prove a lot more than what was written, as a matter of fact. Why don’t you calm down and click the red links in each piece for proof?
Third. I am not an economic development expert. None of our council is, nor is the mayor. Do you expect that from a city council member or a mayor? From people who are school teachers, insurance agents, realtors, jobless in one case, and delivery store managers? Are you aware that City code prohibits the council from meddling in the day to day activities of City staff? My role as a city council member is to hold the EDC and the City’s Development Services Department accountable; to make sure these professionals are doing their job and if not, make changes. Council and mayor is to set policy, not to undertake the duties of our staff and agencies that are professionally trained in these areas. As a neighborhood planner, Dave, I would think you would be aware of this.
Fourth. What the voters deserve is strong, honest leaders who are not in office for self-enrichment, to build a resume or to bully our citizens. I do believe it is clear that our mayor and some council are in that business right now. A strong, common sense leader who has the best interests of the people is what I offer.
Care to continue the debate, Dave?
Political leaders need to have a vision to improve the community. I’ve followed your website and have actually appreciated a different perspective on the community. However you need ideas.
I’m sure you read my letter to the editor last week in the Globe so you know I’ve tried to move the discussion on enhancing Mason City forward. Thats the discussion that Mason City needs to have this campaign season, not how much the Mayor drinks, how he decorated City Hall, or singling out people on your website who disagree with you.
Mason City is my hometown. I still consider it home and love the community. While, yes, I’m Dave from Des Moines, I spent a year volunteering my time to improve Highland Park Golf Course, and all of family still lives there. I’m not your enemy and you don’t need to attempt to intimidate me by publishing my name, where I live, and what I do. I’m proud of all of those things.
i don’t know your Mayor or any of your Council Members personally. I don’t have any agendas other than I love the Mason City. All I’m saying is you don’t have to resort to name calling and low-blows to score political cheap shots. You are better than that and Mason City deserves better than that.
@Dave-You know Dave you really can’t call these descriptions Slander because they are true. They are all a matter of public record here in Mason City. I would suspect there is a lot more coming over the Foster complaint. Local politics in this city is and has been a shambles for years. It is time for a change and I really believe that the new people can bring that change. When you balance their enthusiasm with Weaver and Foster experience and leadership I think we just might change the way things are done here.
For someone who challenged me to continue a debate, your silence speaks volumes.
The voters deserve to know what your priorities are for Mason City. What areas of the community should be improved; parks, housing, traffic lights, police? What do you think needs to be done to continue to enhance downtown? How would you balance community needs with the impacts on property taxes?
As someone who has been at most council, board of supervisor, and school board meetings for three years, I’m assuming you are well educated on the issues, so tell people what you stand for, not just what you are against.
Now we have another write-in candidate for mayor. Jeff Christie I hear. What’s his platform all about?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Christie-for-Mayor-of-Mason-City/1420348438180577
This is a great start to presenting the candidates for office in Mason City.
Unlike what the Globe says, there is no establishment or anti-establishment to this. The future of Mason City is what is at stake here.
Please all citizens – get informed on all of the candidates as well as the issues that face us now and in the future. Find out where all the candidates stand and what they will bring to the citizens of Mason City. We’ve already seen – these past 4 years – what the elected officials are doing for themselves. It’s time they listen to the public but the public must make him/herself heard loud and clear.
Get informed and GO VOTE!!!!!!!
Matt and Max have my vote in November!! They have what’s best for Mason City in mind as opposed to the current “establishment” as the Globe refers to.
This is the general sentiment in the community. I agree with Mary!
I find Jody Draper to be one of the most interesting candidates but I don’t know a lot about her ideas. I hope she has some good ones.
Solberg and Hickey have let public office go to their heads. I have seen them in public settings and they are both SO arrogant. They have forgotten where they came from and it shows with their votes and attitudes. And please Janet, stop wearing that leather coat to all of the council meetings.
So true! And Tornquist thinks he is God and spends 10 minutes trying to say what he could say in 1 or 2 sentences. He has to try to use the biggest words he can find and blah, blah, blah. All talk and no common sense. As for Bookmeyer… THE WORST MAYOR EVER!
I love the black leather coat look.
I think the jacket goes quite well with the gum chewing. What a class act. BIMBO!!!
Quinn Symonds: Please get out of the race! You are not going to win and all you are going to do is take votes away from Max and we will have Bookmeyer again. Think about it, please!
I agree.
Quinn is in the race only to name call and make false accusation for the Globe Gazette and Bookmeyer.
Quinn is a plant that is not serious about this election at all.
The only thing I will say about this vote is PLEASE people vote Max, Draper, Foster and Matt M as we really need to get some council members that truly does care about Mason City. Lee can and knows what is going on is wrong but hes only 1 person, Kuhn has showed he will stand up to Bookey but his hands are tied also and Marinos is just Marinos, If Max is elected I predict she will resign. Again lets start fresh Jan 1 2014 and PLEASE ELECT SOME NEW VOICES.
My votes:
Personally, I think the City is finally headed in the right direction. Mayors are like quarterbacks and presidents, they get too much credit and too much blame. So I would vote to keep things going the direction they are.
My predictions:
Mayor: I think it’ll be fairly close but Bookmeyer will be re-elected.
At Large: I don’t think Foster stands a chance and Tornquist will win easily.
Ward 2 (not my ward): Hickey will be re-elected in a fairly close count.
Ward 4 (not my ward): Marquardt will win fairly easily. Solberg does not seem to have wide support and has not really done much to stand out positively.
The Bookmeyer vs. Marquardt show for the next 4 years will be a gigantic MESS.
@Duh-It is a good thing you don’t live in ward 2 because I think you would be disappointed. Everyone I talk to up here has had it with Hickey and wants him gone. I also think Foster just might surprise you. A lot of people are really down on Turncoat and the way he treats the ordinary people of this city.
I’ve known Jodi since she was a little baby and I can’t think of a better choice. She will get the job done and get it done right!
Me too I known jodi awhile also heard of the hikcey character let’s just say there aint too many blue light specials better than getting it free, eh?
@Duh you must live on another planet. This town is NOT headed in the right direction AT ALL.
Get with it!
We are trying to make this a healthier city with blue zone and other efforts, we finally have some culture in this town with some interesting statues around town, we are finally celebrating and utilizing a great piece of history with the Park Inn. Sure, there is plenty of room for improvement (that sad sack of a mall comes to mind) but it certainly sounds like a step in the “right direction” to me.
Mayor Bookmeyer has been the BIGGEST embarrassment and worst Mayor Mason City has ever had.
Nobody in their right mind would want an conceited, arrogant, narcissist for a Mayor. Bookmeyer has shamed himself worse then any Mayor we have ever had.
Weaver has never embarrassed himself or the city. You are just using the lies and political attacks that the Globe Gazette and Chamber have used on elected officials to run them down and shape public opinion.
Voting for Bookmeyer and his gang will only continue the status quo with no real growth or progress for ALL.
Free WiFi if Quinn is elected!!!
As high as my mediacom intrnet bill is, Quinn just might get my vote! Quinn, can you pull off the free wifi if (when) you get elected???
I have two plans of doing so.
“free”
Thanks Barack Quinn, but no thanks.
BTW I didn’t give my votes. I will be voting for (unless something major happens)…
Mayor, Bookmeyer… By default, Quinn seems to be a nice enough guy, but doesn’t know enough and Weaver would be an embarrassment to the outside world of MC.
4th Ward…Solberg, Marquardt you are to angry and bitter of a man. You would use this tool (as you already do) as a personal attack dog and would be slightly more embarrassing than Weaver.
2nd Ward…close call. I like that Hickey has held taxes the past two years, but I do think we need some change hear and I am not going to get it with Bookmeyer and Solberg.
At-Large, I will probably waste my vote and go with Foster. But NO WAY will he beat Tornquist. The Foster name doesn’t have a lot of pull in this town. It does in some small crooks and crannies, but that is it. Not enough though.
Hey chief, if you think you can vote in all of the races, then that shows how lost you are. You have to LIVE in ward 4 or 2 to even vote in those elections. You can’t vote in all of them. LOL. Go back to the drawing board. PS Im sure Matt and the rest will lose sleep over losing your “vote.” Thanks for the laugh!
HAHA, I can’t believe this person could vote for everyone!!
Sounds look a bookee supporter alright. Casting votes in all the elections. I hope Ken Kline is reading this.
Are you seriously that dumb that you think you can vote in all those wards? Lol. I bet you will shut up now and not comment on here again…at least not under THAT username. I love it when the Bookmeyer cronies try to act intelligent. LMFAO.
Yep, you got me. Sorry. Honest mistake. I meant support. I know I can’t vote for Ward 2. But I do support Draper.
Again, I do find it interesting, Matt response to everyone else request or attacks. Plus he is consistently telling us on here, the city or Willet didn’t return his emails. But doesn’t respond to my question about where he stands on the ISL and PPEL.
@hey Matt-I’m pretty sure he did respond. All you have to do is read it.
His ‘response’ was pretty much a non-response. He said, he didn’t owe me an answer. That is pretty sad when he is trying to run for office. You would think he would address the question. He is avoiding, just like the people he condemns for avoiding his questions. I know this isn’t the school board, but his answer would give incite to his thought when it comes to raising taxes, role of education, his view of leadership, etc. Why won’t he answer? It makes no sense to me. I think Matt has a lot to offer, but this is perplexing.
Why not use all the candidates official pictures if you are not so biased? It is beneath you to search your videos to try to find the worst still shot for the three incumbants. You use yours and Jodi’s. You both have been to the podium according to NIT, so you should have video of both of you, right? Plus, you never answered me, where did you stand on the ISL and PPEL for the school? Why didn’t you answer them, don’t want to go on record?
@Hey Matt:
YOU: “Why not use all the candidates official pictures if you are not so biased? ”
ME: If the candidate turned in a photo for their campaign, we used it.
YOU: “It is beneath you to search your videos to try to find the worst still shot for the three incumbants. You use yours and Jodi’s. You both have been to the podium according to NIT, so you should have video of both of you, right?”
ME: I think these are very flattering shots of each candidate, all taken in very public places. No one pictured above has ever complained to NIT about a photo, a story, or a comment. Ever. So, just like the incumbents say, if no one calls in, it must be all good. Right?
YOU: “Plus, you never answered me, where did you stand on the ISL and PPEL for the school? Why didn’t you answer them, don’t want to go on record?”
ME: I do not owe you any answer, first of all, so come down off your high horse, whoever you are. Second, I am running for City Council, not the school board.
I would encourage the folks on here to take these blogs and make flyers and go door to door in there neighborhood to let people know what is really going on in this city. I am sure it will help get the vote out. A large voter turnout should insure a defeat for the incumbents once the facts are out in the open.
Quinn dumber by the second. Keep sealing it for a later date called the future. FDUMB!
That’s an “O” face if I’ve ever seen one on Solberg. She must have just sold insurance to a bunch of poor renters!
Ole Solby looks like a worn out catcher’s mit. What a complete embarrassment to the 4th ward.
That had to be the same expression on ole Solby’s face when she got elected in ’09. She must have thought “now I can sell expensive insurance policies to the people of Mason City and pay off my crappy house in Central Heights.”
How wrong you are. That’s Solby’s mug when she found out KFC wouldn’t be removing the skins from its world-famous fried chicken.
Clearly we see who needs to GET OUT !!!!
This bunch of whack jobs are insane then self centered. It is unbelieveable we have sat back and let them have at it.
Even if you don’t like the personalities of who’s running to get them out our money and life in this town means more!
You HAVE to vote! Go register NOW if you aren’t! Just do it! Take back your voice!!!
QUINN>>> Sounds as if YOU are the one who can’t take criticism about your self or anyone you like.
Don’t put that on Matt. You sound ridiculous ALL of the time now, at 1st I thought you were really just trying but you have managed to be your own worst enemy. I actually can’t figure why you think so highly of everyone but Max and Matt.
Don’t you get it you are PRECISELY what that group running us can’t stand! A big fat broke nobody! That’s that smile in your face thing.
VOTE MAX!!!!! VOTE MATT !!!!!
Not sure what you’re reading. I’m simply criticizing matt for bias and hypocrisy. Not mention being maxs new pet.
I think the assessment given here was kind to those involved….could have been much worse if more of the truth were brought forth. These current office holders should be reminded that today they are merely reaping what they sowed. The false sense of entitlement has faded away in light of the fact they will no longer occupy those seats with such undeserved arrogance.
Under Bookmeyer’s tutelage they were tricked into beliving they were invincible, that they were always right….when in fact nothing could have been further from the truth.
Bookmeyer’s track record is horrible. The problem that I have when voting for people like Jodi and Matt is that I don’t know that they will do a good job. There isn’t a lot of bad things to report about them because there is nothing out there yet. I hope in four years that we are not on here bitchin about how we let these people on the council. I am just not sure that Matt is a better candidate just because he is a single father and has this blog. What activities is he involved in? What experiences has prepared him to be a good candidate?
Steve do you really want more of the same for the next term? If you can walk and chew gum at the same time I don’t think so. use your vote for change,
@steve-wow, it sure sound like steve is so jealous of Matt he just can’t stand it, so, he tries to put him down at every opportunity.
All im saying is that a single parent and running a blog doesn’t sound like a stand up candidate. There should be someone with more ccredibility and a better history to run.
People Matt wouldn’t SOUND biased if their track records didn’t prove it all true.
Matt has simply stated the absolute truth of each and all. How can you dispute that?
You want lies and sugar coating wait for the globes lies to come out. Their spin will cheer you up.
In the mean time all of us are getting screwed by the current council and mayor but good. You may think they are rational and professional as they smile in your face and say yes to everything which is actually yes to spending YOUR money.
All they do correctly is hide beneath that cloak of a smile and it’s called DISHONESTY.
How about some real Bio’s and not clearly biased ones.
Yea, to be honest negating weavers past antics and what he’s cost the city with his grandstanding while bagging bookmeyer as hard as he can will most likely keep me out of this discussion. This isn’t even a fair or intellectually honest synopsis. I have the utmost respect for you matt for having the guts to publish what no one else wants to publish but this is a little too far. No hard feelings I hope. I do find the insurance mandate interesting and for what it’s worth I’m not fond of the chamber of Commerce.
If you’re not engaging in the discussion, then why are you here, Quinn? When are we going to see anything of substance from your campaign? A press release? A single yard sign? An official photo? How many city council meetings have you attended in the past three years, Quinn? Can you count them on one finger? Exactly how much do you know about any of the issues facing Mason City at this time. Educate us, Quinn. Tell us what you know about the City budget, the human rights issue, sprawl, spot-zoning, the City Hall remodel and sculptures, Vi-Cor smell, crime and the nuisance code, strong versus weak mayor form of city government, the duties of the mayor, council and city administrator as it relates to City staff. While you’re at it weigh in on the hostile work environment at City Hall, or maybe you don’t know about it. Come on, Quinn, earn some votes.
Bagging Bookmeyer. That’s a rich one. Everything above is true. I’m only sorry I had to leave so much out. Bookmeyer’s record is his record, just as is Solberg’s, Tornquist’s and Hickey’s. They must defend their own actions.
But not maxs because he’s a saint himself just like you and I. I think I know why you won’t bring up max at all and it’s because you think he’ll help you get votes, which he may. He mentored me six years ago when I ran against his only ally on the council six years ago and a friend of his to this day. He laughed about Don Nelson and how pissed he was when I took nearly 40% of his votes and how mad he was at his ward for voting for a nobody like me. Max knows his stuff and there’s no doubt that he is feeding you issues to talk about just like he did me. You just need to not act like a child when faced with real criticism about your obvious bias on your publication. If this means you pulling the op eds I’ve written for you so be it. But I’m going to continue to calls them like I sees them. If you can’t accept criticism you have no place on the council because quite honestly you’re too reactionary in a negative way when people call you out.
Well Quinn if that means I am not getting your endorsement I am just fine with that. I took what you call criticism and challenged you on the issues and you lashed out at one of your opponents instead of offering your knowledge on the subjects. We will be waiting for your answers to the questions I posed; they are fair questions. Dazzle the NIT readers with your knowledge Quinn, but don’t take too long googling the answers.
No matt I’m calling you out on your bias and hypocrisy. You can spin it however you want but that’s exactly what I did and what I’m doing. If you dislike bookmeyer so much why are you running for council? Oh yea, because max is running for mayor and you can’t betray him!
And just another fyi I said I’m not partaking in this discussion. I’ve just been pointing out that you’re a biased hypocrite by blasting bookmeyer but ignoring maxs history. Prove me wrong and do some real journalism on max. You’re turning into a max weaver loving john skipper.
@Quinn-Old, old saying but true=the truth HURTS.
Symonds, so the truth is out. You are in this race to attack Weaver.
I told people when you stuck you name in the race you were a plant.
Attack but know your facts. So far you have not said anything factual. Oh, and be sure and attack Bookmeyer too. Mayor Bookmeyer has done more harm to Mason City and the Mayor’s office then any Mayor in our past. Character matters!
I can defend Weavers actions easy. He is the only one on the council that ever wanted “Real Growth” and jobs for Mason City. Nothing in his record or past ever did any harm to Mason City.
All your BS about Weaver you are taking from the Globe Gazettes playbook.
I took the following from a post by “Community Advocate” and am re-posting it here. He has got it spot on.
The big bro-ha-ha will be, how is Max going to perform?
If the Chamber, Globe Gazette, and community Elite would treat Max fairly and quit creating fault when it isn’t warranted, Max would not display the frustration that he has in the past. In all the years I have observed Max, the side of him that comes out wrong has always been after he has been attacked, lied to, and totally mistreated by the Media and back biting politics from other council members or Chamber of Commerce officials.
That all needs to stop!
No one has ever been mistreated and so falsely maligned by the Globe Gazette as Max Weaver. With this web site being available we can respond to all the BS put out by the Globe Gazette and the Chamber about Mr. Weaver.
Is this getting through to you Symonds?
I’m a plant that’s in the race to attack weaver? And you’re saying I haven’t said anything factual? I’m asking matt to be as critical of maxs reputation as he is bookmeyers. That’s all any of the posts I’ve made on this open discussion, and I say that sarcastically, have been about. Feel free to attack my reputation as well while you’re at it. I’m asking matt to show true journalistic integrity. While I was a reader of the globe I challenged them the same things. Since then I became an nit reader. Now it’s Matts turn to step up and be a man.
Quinn, I think you just need to bow out now. You might get a couple votes, your own and maybe a family member of yours. Why waste your time and everyone elses?
Quinn, will your wife vote for you?
And while he’s at it he can pull fosters phone calls to the police.
@Quinn-Way to stick with the issues. Attacking other candidates that are not running against you will get you nothing and you are sure starting to show that is exactly what you deserve, NOTHING. No votes for small minded people.
And while he’s at it he can pull fosters phone calls to the police. But he has no dog in that race.
http://globegazette.com/news/opinion/editor-s-mailbag/article_7bbfd313-525e-5c3b-9406-baceeb47d35e.html
Read through this, this is when I was running for city council. My last opportunity to write a letter to the editor before it was time to vote. What did I write about? Max weaver and my support for him. So get your stories straight when you call me a “plant”. He has my full support as a council person but I don’t believe he’s right for the job as mayor, same goes with bookmeyer.
Quinn, you have no platform and have no idea of what you are doing. Matt had given you pleanty of press time and you were very happy to talk. When everybody found out there was an empty shell there, you lost any support you may have hoped to have had. You did it to yourself by not understanding what you are running for and being prepaired for it.
It’s time to start holding the current council accountable for their actions. I see nothing biased in this article. Clearly those who think it’s biased hasn’t been keeping up with what has been going on in the city.
The Globe has been so biased on every issue and election for years, our turn.
Whoa whoa wait a minute. What is Torny doing to his nose? Is this guy playing with a full deck?
Did weaver write my bio?
Here are a few issues I am concerned about:
– Rising taxes with fewer people here
– Library debt
– Toxic work environment at city hall
– Mayor and council not representing everyone
– Crime
– Spending police and fire retirement funds to “lower” taxes in election year
– Spending money on sculptures and remodel of offices
– City forcing people out of business on main street
All good points. With this record, do these people deserve re-election? No.
Did this city use Retirement Funds to balance the budget?
They better not have touched those funds to balance the Mason City budget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!
VOTE for Max, Matt, Jodi and Leonard and let’s get this city back on track for ALL of its residents. PEOPLE WE MUST GET OUT THE VOTE!!!
I do agree people NEED to get out and vote. This year people need to make a good decision on who to vote for. It’s important for people to know, regardless of what ward they live in, they can vote for Mayor and for At-Large.