Op-ed by Peter Children:
“The common citizen voting for Eric Bookmeyer and his gaggle of councilpersons is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.”
I actually took license with that quote; it was simply too good to pass on. Why is it so difficult to see what is in front of you? Truth be known it isn’t. There are those of you who are filled with so much contempt for me that they have become discombobulated and can’t wait to make fools of themselves. Attacking me is fool hardy, it gets you nowhere…..but you’re not smart enough to realize that.
The majority of those who read this site know that, and I am sure it has become a great source of entertainment for them…. but not at my expense. Your frustrations are simply fodder for those who are more mentally stable, less stressed.
If I were younger I might give some thought to running for office….but it’s extremely doubtful I ever would. You see, I have never once attended a city council meeting in my life in this community, and I have been in business here for 60 years, businesses that required licenses and permits, but those were all handled by attorneys.
Remember this; the truth is what it is, it is the truth. It cannot be erased, it cannot be covered up and there is no defense against it. It was here on earth before I arrived and will remain after I am gone. To accuse me of things you know are not factual only reveals your own ignorance, your own bias. But it also fortifies the reason you write under a non de plume; you’re basically spineless, you feel emboldened by hiding, you gain a false sense of strength that allows you to speak…to say things you never would say to my face if you were in the same room with me.
Eric Bookmeyer; it isn’t this drunken sot you are defending, this stumble bum who runs into tables and knocks over drinks, needs to be propped up to keep from falling over, gets cut off at the bar because he cannot stop drinking….no it isn’t him you are defending. Look at the council, over 90 consecutive yes votes in succession voting in accordance to whatever Eric wants….until it became an issue, then….and only then the first no vote surfaced. Did anyone at that table recognize the viability of the residents in Forest Park? Not even their own council representative spoke up for them. Did anyone at that table question the health dangers that could befall this community when considering the burning facility that Eric wanted? No not one….all yes votes. I could go on but it’s not worth my time.
It was not I who guided the glass to his lips, it was not I who took him into the bar, it was not I who caused him to drink. His police record from Clinton indicated his problems with the police in that community….all alcohol related. This man was addicted to drink before he came here. I invited him to break bread with me, and if he’d accepted I would have encouraged him to seek help; will you condemn me for that? Surely his wife is aware of his drinking, as a medical doctor, and more to the point, as a mother with children….why does she tolerate it?
The reason I repeat these truths….and they are the truth without doubt, is simply because people have short memories and I don’t want them to ever forget…not ever, especially now that the election is drawing near. Am I obsessed with wanting a new mayor, new council persons….you might say that.
Peter Children
I disagree. I have known a lot of alcoholics. They can move on to become good citizens and great people. Someone’s past drinking problem doesn’t invalidate any future ability to work in the community. It is hard to argue with Mayor Bookmeyer and the city council’s accomplishments. I am a professional with a young family and we moved to Mason City because we thought it was a great progressive community. Watching city council meetings years ago, I questioned whether we had made the right choice. Bookmeyer’s years have been a great change. I’m all for reelecting them.
Bobby Berg, a Mercy radiologist living in a $400,000 house, quite a shock that you and Eric have so much in common, other than the fact that you have a job and Eric does not. Will your office get a makeover as they are tearing down Forest Park, Bobby? There is a BIG difference between a recovering alcoholic and someone who puts away the booze like it is going out of style everyday. I’ve seen this mayor drunk and it’s not pretty. I’ve seen him yelling and stumbling and laughing his way out of a bar. It was ugly. As a doctor, Mr. Berg, I would think that you would know how dangerous and debilitating the affects of alcohol are on a person, especially someone who has become a dictator over our council, city administrator and the rest of us common folks.
Nice to meet you, Bobby Berg.
I agree with both you and Amna that she remain outside these discussions. And how well I kknow that a alcoholic needs to want to cure themselves. Alcohol is a drug and like any other drug it is subject to addiction. What I am advocating is simply that we don’t need this sort of person running this city. Read what I said again, and again…then read it once more.
There is no “cure” for alcoholism.
LVS; I totally agree in the context of a wife and mother, however I was speaking in strictly her professional starus as a medical doctor. This man’s alcoholism began a long time ago as his police records in Clinton Iowa will attest to. I grew up with an alcoholic step father and it was hell on earth. Don’t forget I owned and operated 3 bars in this city, I have sen what the effects of alcohol can do.
I believe this is a genuine disease, a sickness that needs to be treated. If Bookmeyer could set the bottle aside we might find an entirely different person inside…..but he is far too self centered to think of others…even his own family is not in first place.
Peter, I don’t care what context you are thinking about, the spouse and family should NEVER be brought into discussion. PERIOD!!!
@Peter Children-As you know the first step in curing an alcoholic is for them to admit they have a problem. Without that step you are wasting your time. The second step is they have to want to correct the problem. Just because she is a doctor does not mean she can work miracles and cure someone who doesn’t want to be cured. Besides, as you well know love is blind and I am sure there are other reasons as well. Best just to leave her and the family out of the political discussions.
For Pete’s Sake! How dare you criticize any alcoholics when you spent a lifetime making a living by selling booze to them that only worsened their conditions! I hope you leave all your riches to some alcoholic rehab facility.
Peter-where i agree with you that we need to replace the mayor and council with people that will look out for the welfare of all the people, not just the “elite” with the money. I am going to take exception with bringing the mayors wife into the discussion. He is fair game as a politician and has brought it on himself with his own actions. She on the other hand has not been involved in the politics.. I happen to know the doctor and she is a very good, caring doctor and I think she should be left out of the discussion.