MASON CITY – The final two candidates for City office made it official Thursday.
Quinn Symonds, 31, turned in paperwork in his bid for the Mayor’s seat. He joins Max Weaver and Eric Bookmeyer on the ballot.
Sheryl Jean Gerk, 64, also became an official candidate, joining the race for the Second Ward City Council seat. She joins Jodi Draper and Travis Hickey on the ballot.
Quinn Symonds told NIT Friday morning: “I am pleased to announce that my candidacy has been filed and the people of Mason City have chosen me as one of the three running for mayor. Many of you have already heard some of the items on my agenda to help our town become what it should have been a long time ago; a safe and prosperable place to raise our children, start a business and live. I was surprised as most were to hear Mr. Weaver throw his name in the hat and I wish both him and Mr. Bookmeyer the best of luck this election season, and I will relish my position as the “wildcard”. There will be many issues and ideas that I will be bringing up during this election cycle and I encourage you to listen and stay informed as we have a lot of ground to cover in the next few months. I wish you all a safe and fun weekend.”
Sheryl Gerk told NIT on Tuesday evening that she had designs on running for office this fall. 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. In addition, Ms. Gerk said that she obtained a teaching degree for Minnesota and Iowa licensure (and has substitute taught at areas schools) and she says she obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1976 (Summa Cum Laude) from Mankato State College. Ms. Gerk lists previous employers as the United States Federal Government at the National Institute of Education in the Office of Planning, Budget and Program Analysis and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs in Washington, D.C. She further says that she has had training as a laims representative with the Social Security Administration in Iowa.
“My education and employment abilities have prepared me,” for serving on the City Council, Ms. Gerk said.
The election is November 5th. Absentee voting begins October 7th at the courthouse in Mason City and continues there through November 5th.
Mr.Symonds: Please, please drop out of the race — remember Ross Perot — if you stay in you may be the cause of Max losing. Think about it!
Just imagine, Cheryl Gerk and Leonard Foster on the same council. That should bring new business prospects running to Mason City!
You don,t have to talk to her. Just tune in to the council meeting and listen, then try to tell what she said.
I’m so glad Max decided to run. I wasn’t thrilled with the less than stellar choices we had; Inexperienced vs Ineffective. Altho I wish Quinn had come to my house when he was walking around in his ragged hoodie, just so I could’ve laughed and shut the door on his face. Best of luck Max, I hope you win. Bookmeyer has had too much time to run MC in the ground.
Quinn that’s just stupid. What?, you heard that line some where and thought hmmm this sounds like a good place to use it.
Makes zero sense. There is no slippery slope about it, doesn’t apply here at all. You are clearly NOT thinking of us.
I haven’t wanted to ask because you seem nice enough, dumb but nice.
What about being ARRESTED and WHERE do you REALLY live?
Theres your real slippery slope just so you know. Little iffy isn’t it
Get out !
MAX didn’t know he would do it until the very minute he got up that day guarenteed.
Panic mode for everyone thinking of Bookmeyer again! Something HAD to be done.
Your comments keep sealing the deal for you Quinn, you sound nothing but vengeful and like you are better then anyone. Honestly think beyond your personal scope. You sound quite the opposite of a genuine concerned person for the people.
Look in the mirror and ask yourself…really can I really WIN? Why am I really doing this if I can’t? You can’t possibly think you will so why be such a brat? Your age and ignorance is shining through.
Quinn it’s the truth.
Now everyone knows it about you.
It’s pretty shady that max decided to run at the last minute. Either Quinn or Max need to drop out. In fairness, Max is nothing but a power hungry publicity seeker who only thinks of himself; the way he handled this proves or.
Quinn quinn we hear you and rightfully so. Be smart . This speaks volumes of not really understanding good government and the process. It’s a game and if you truly CARE of the citizens of Mason city do it another time.
If you know anything about it you would see it. Certainly you have seen this before and what the logical ones do. This is an indicator also of the real you and the die hards wrote you off already for good.
Who wants that blood on their hands….Bookmeyer really? It’s on you. Earn your votes for doing the right thing now for next time.
Be known for that not a stubborn young brat who doesn’t GET it or in reality doesn’t really care.
While I greatly appreciate the input in these comments but you’re asking someone who told max back in January that I was running for mayor and he told me he was running for at large. So thanks but no thanks I won’t back down or out. In fact max running has motivated me even more to try harder to win this election. I believe with my temperament,ideas and passion I can do this position than either candidates. Many of you appreciate Max’s fighting spirit, so maybe you will appreciate mine. If bookmeyer wins it will be both mine and Max’s fault for not being what mason city wants. But once again thanks but no thanks I’m not stepping down for any reason. I hope you all pay attention to the issues and the history of the other two candidates. I greatly look forward to at least one debate between the two.
Do you think Sheryl will hurt Jodi by taking votes away from her? I hope not.
Run Quinn Run! (said in my best Forest Gump voice)
Quinn-why don’t you gracefully bow out and give your support to Max. If you do it will look very good in the future. The way it is now you won’t win but you just might pull enough votes to keep Max from beating Bookie.
Exactly Max won and election in 1993 by only 16 votes, sure would be sad if Quinn thought the 150 or so votes he gets were worth causing Max to lose. Think about it Quinn under Bookmeyer you have become jobless and been thrown in jail atleast once by his employees.
Quinn you probably are a great enough kid but you need to back out. I take it you are more along the lines of a people person and want to help unlike Bookmeyer.
With that be at your most sensible moment and back out! Why screw with a few numbers. Let’s get this Bookmeyer cat out for good.
You will have time enough to run and run down the road. We need some action now.. being a wildcard isn’t advantageous right now or even cool. You don’t want to come off as arrogant for a few minutes of attention. Guarenteed if you step down people will remember you for the next time. A sensible move on your part.
Picture Bookmeyer another term. Makes me shiver I know it does you too.