Email from Globe Gazette reporter John Skipper to candidates for city offices in Mason City:
In the past, I have sent out questionnaires to candidates to get their views on local issues. I’m taking a different approach this year. I am asking each candidate to submit a “statement of candidacy” in which the candidates – and not me – decide which issues they want to comment on. This will give voters a clear view of your priorities. Here are the ground rules. Please provide:
Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Family:
Previous elective offices held:
Person in history (past or present) you most admire:
Then, in 300 words or less, provide your statement of candidacy. Tell why you are running. Be as specific as you can about issues important to you, your ideas, what separates you from your opponents. The intent is to publish your views in your words. We will publish your statements as well as those of your opponent(s) together so readers can compare your views.
END OF EMAIL
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SUBMITTED INFORMATION
Name: Matthew E. Marquardt
Age: 41
Occupation: Small business owner, entrepreneur
Family: Son, Chris, age 15
Previous elective offices held: none
Person in history (past or present) you most admire: George Washington
300 words:
If I am elected, I will seek to bring a sense of inclusion back to City Hall for the rank and file citizens of Mason City. I will seek to respond to all concerns brought to me by the citizens and businesses of Mason City and would not solely rely on City Hall staff for every answer. I will research and work with staff and my colleagues on the council to arrive at the best solution to each unique issue.
Regarding economic development and job creation, I would advocate for a re-design of the city’s web site with an emphasis on sending the message that “Mason City is open for business.” On the website, we should have a form that anyone who seeks help from the city would be asked to fill out in an even-handed application process. No more back-room deals. Along with the form on the website, we should articulate all types of economic assistance available to prospective businesses. We should also invite families and persons with clean records and good intentions to re-locate to Mason City in an effort to grow our population. Let’s showcase our amenities. I would also take a close look at our local economic development agency (EDC) and our Development Services Department. What is our return on investment there?
The City should continue to work towards moving or demolishing any structures that have become a hazard or a haven for crime.
I am a strong supporter of our working men and women at City Hall and would look for ways to create job security for them while maximizing their productivity. For example, our workers can paint our parking lot lines and most of our street markings. That would keep about $100,000 in our local economy instead of hiring an out of town company.
I for one do not want my tax dollars going to a public hearing because you don’t like the way someone else does their job. Talk about abuse of power-you sure seem to have plans on doing just that.
@Anonymous-what are you talking about. There is nothing in the article about hearings. Are just making things up now?
LVS – maybe you should read Matts comments at the bottom of this page
@ Tammy ok so Toddy Boy the crackhead is “in” with Bookey, that figures. Why does he give a shit about the Harley. His old man Gary load’s up Jay Urdahl with campaign money, old Doc keeps Dougherty in he mails out all those letters that say do not vote in Chris Watts, we got one. Look’s like half the problem we got in Mason is because one Nazi family, they do not even live here. Its time to pull the curtain away.
It appears this mayor is very good at sucking up to influential people with money and contacts, because power is what he’s after. But who is really being used here? The only thing for certain is the people of Mason City pay for what happens behind the closed doors.
4ever you havent heard…Bookmeyer bullies the hell out of the employees at city hall as does Solberg. It is too much for me to write but ask around or read some archives here on NIT.
You really should keep up if you disagree or question anything.
I hope while doing your homework you can finally see the evil that lurks in your mayor and council and the globe gazette.
Evil you ask… that’s exactly what they are up to. Don’t you even question the things they have done that you certainly have read if you are on here. Matt or any candidate has NO reason to lie as they were on them WELL BEFORE running for any office.
Not to mention unless you are a drinker hangin with the crew do you really want a stumbling down drunk mayor and council on our streets? That’s for starters, the list goes on.
All of the “Old Media” is going to stonewall these new crop of candidates…yes, even the guy who whines about loud farts in Clear Lake.
Matt – I note that you think how would you “bring a sense of inclusion” to Mason City – who do you think have been excluded?
Why do you think the Harley deal was a back door deal? Didn’t council review the facts and makes its decision out in the open at a public hearing?
“Show casing” our amenities – doesn’t EDC already do that? You said “We should also invite families and persons with clean records and good intentions to re-locate to Mason City in an effort to grow our population.” You can invite all you want but without jobs it will be a meaningless invite.
I agree more could be done to move or demolish any structure that is “blighted”.
Creating “job security” at City Hall; I’m surprised by this one – what do you think is driving a lack of “job security” at city hall? Is someone going around threatening to fire employees?
A couple of years ago I had Peggy of the GG send me several question when I ran for office. I refused to answer her question and supplied her with about what Matt did now. Her and I got into a rather hot exchange and she said she would print that I refused to answer. I asked her how she in MC knew what was important to the people of Hancock and who at the GG thought they knew what I was running on. I also said that thanks to the web the paper was not the only game in town anymore. You can be on more Facebook pages before 8 AM than they have readers all day
The press is there to report, not shape the news to fit their views
Here here. The rule of newsprint is coming to a screeching halt before our very eyes… and they are the last ones to know about it.
Peter seems to get a kick out of commenting on his comments.
Now that’s a funny reply. Thank you John.
That is a good question, on the Harley, I for one want the answer. We got screwed, Bookie the blimp gets his drinking buddy a Nazi drug addict to take him out to the Country Club, he meets Steve Minert and its a done deal. Democracy for the few behind close doors. I will not vote for nobody who is for this.
Yes that back room deal is no good. I want to know did Minert paid Blodgett in drugs or cash?
The candidates opposing one another should at least be published side by side.
Skipper must be the worst reporter ever. Here candidates… do my job for me and by the way, keep it short. He and the Globe have always been biased and obviously has their own agenda. Hopefully they are on their way out.
Is this Councilman John Lee? If so, I thought you and John Skipper were good friends.
The profile is at least a good try. It doesn’t force issues on any candidate. At the same time it gives a candidate a chance to at least let the public know what they believe. Not a perfect approach but Nit isn’t doing this and the tv and radio stations won’t do this either. I am undecided as a voter so I do want to know what the candidates think and believe. I want something good to chew over, not a bunch of baloney and bad mouthing.
“ I will seek to respond to all concerns brought to me by the citizens and businesses”, just like you did with the citizen who owns Roller City, by attacking him? That is the way you would response?
“ I will research and work with staff and my colleagues on the council to arrive at the best solution”, you would work with them? Before or after you call them names and attack them as people on your website?
“Mason City is open for business.” Great quote, I believe MAYOR Eric Bookmeyer used that idea in one of his State of the City addresses.
“No more back-room deals” Great accusation, but please give a specific time when this happened? Doubt if you can.
“we should articulate all types of economic assistance available to prospective businesses” All types? But you attacked Microenterprise, the agreement with the Phone business, are you for against the hotel downtown? Where was your stance on Harley?
“We should also invite families and persons with clean records and good intentions to re-locate to Mason City in an effort to grow our population”. Really? Invite? Like hand written notes? Or just a verbal and written ones over TV/Radio/Newspapers?(oh wait, you attack them also). BTW, having them read your website would show how much you love the people of this city.
“I would also take a close look at our local economic development agency (EDC) and our Development Services Department” So would this be included in your revamp of the website to include all the economic assistance the city provides potential investors.
“For example, our workers can paint our parking lot lines and most of our street markings. That would keep about $100,000 in our local economy instead of hiring an out of town company” This is your ONE good and CONCRETE idea. Nice job.
PS, you never answered my question about the ISL Tax. You want to debate the Mayor and Council Woman Solberg, but you won’t directly answer a simple question on your website. Did you or did you not vote for it?
@Hey-what the hell are you talking about. I think you have me mixed up with Matt or Peter. I never said anything about the guy who runs the Roller Rink. You are an Idiot who can’t even spell respond correctly. Do not be putting crap on me that I ha nothing to do with. You are a LIAR.
Sorry LVS, I didn’t mean you, last time I posted I was trying to get your attention, I usually say “Hey Matt”. I apologize, didn’t mean for you to take things so personal and so quickly. I thought an analytically mind like yourself would have been able to decipher such a mistake.
At Hey-It just surprised me as I was not expecting something like that. I will take responsibility for my own words but do not want the blame for someone else’s view. I will say I mostly agree with with Matt on most issues but not all and of course I have disagreed with Peter Children several times and have pointed out that I think he goes to far with the personal attacks. I probably over reacted as well.
Golly you worked hard on that reply. Kinda sad how badly you stretched and twisted reality and destroyed your credibility. Let me take you to school:
1) The Roller City fella spent my tax dollars on junk food. I don’t like it. Is this a Blue Zone or not? Furthermore, it is unethical to hand money to one business and not its competition. The city could get sued someday over that kind of policy. Mr. Anderson should go to his bank if he needs capital to run his business, and City Hall is not a bank.
2) I’m not convinced everyone on the council (especially the mayor) has the best of intentions. Therefore, I have called them out on their behavior. Call it attacking if you want, I won’t be letting up anytime soon.
3) Mr. Bookmeyer isn’t smart enough to make up that line. He probably stole those words from someone at the country club, overheard someone at the bar mutter it. Eric is usually in a drunken stupor as far as I can tell, I’m surprised he could stand long enough to recite his annual report while reading from his teleprompter.
4) The Harley Davidson deal was cut over drinks and food at the country club. Proven. I’m not sold on the Hilton Hotel fantasy either. Seems made up as an election-time ruse to fool the people of Mason City. It don’t get more back-room or sleazy than that, except for god-knows-what shenanigans that take place when Eric and his cronies go in the men’s room together.
5) Yes, literally invite. For example, rather than waste over $20,000 paying a losing football coach to give a speech to Brent Willett and his cronies, the EDC could have spent the $20,000 on billboards or advertising in metro area(s) inviting people to re-locate to Mason City. “There is opportunity in Mason City, visit our town and see for yourself!” Get it? The city could develop a plan to entice people to move here in conjunction with the ads. By the way, there’s a reason NIT is so popular. Heck, even you are here, banging your keyboard in frustration. Keep trying, you are amusing me.
6) The concrete painting is just one of my ideas. 300 words doesn’t do my platform justice.
7) Is that you who keeps asking me about the school tax issue? Do you know the difference between school board and city council?
I know the difference between City Council and School board, but you still ducking the question. I find that to be somewhat cowardly. Why can’t you answer it?
Plus, do you know the difference between the Mayor and City council? why would they debate.
To all Candidates and citizens:
This is clearly a move he had to make because of how silly it looks locally and even nation wide.
Unheard of for any media to behave this way.
So he took a new approach…what an ass. Slipper in his own mind thinks this will smooth it all out and make him look like he did do something with candidates. Hogwash.
If this doesn’t send a loud and clear message to the citizens of Mason City of what is really going on and the people who think they are running the show then they need to go too.
This is an immense problem. What do you think they are pulling off at city hall?
They REALLY think we are STUPID.
It sound like a set up deal for the incumbents. 300 words are no nearly enough but at least it is a start. It is to bad the incumbents are afraid of a debate.
Anything else???? Good gosh, someone asks you what time it is and you tell them how to build a watch. Try saying hi in less than 10 minutes and maybe people will start listening to you then.
Buzz. Profoundly insightful and accurate observation of Peter. Thanks for the illustration, it made my day!
Who is Matt Marquardt?
Outside of NIT he is a mystery to me.
Any info or a mini bio?
I have known his family since he was in pre school. He has always been a hard working man. He is a great father he has a son anyone would be proud to call Son.
The reason there is so much mud slinging by Bookmeyer and others is because Matt wants things up front. He is the kind of guy that tells you how he feels. He is not a wolf in sheeps clothing! He does not say one thing to you and then something to someone else. I think he would be a great asset to the council.
Skipper is a joke. Who could intelligently write about all the points of a candidacy in 300 words? Another farce from the GLOB. Matt, you did what you could and it was clear you ran out of words. I truly hope you get elected and expose these idiot liars to the people. I’m excited to see what you can do.
I’ll tell you what. If I am elected and Skipper lies or mis-leads, I will hold public hearings and outline all his falsehoods and expose it all. 300 words was not nearly enough for something as important as explaining in detail the candidacies of citizens for public office. Either they don’t care, don’t want to know, or they are too broke to buy paper and ink. If that’s the case, they should just close up now.
It seems to me holding public hearings over a journalist’s “misleads” (correct spelling) or “falsehoods” could backfire rather dramatically on you.
Be careful what you wish for buddy.