by Matt Marquardt –
Even as Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and his “team” of incumbent council members duck and hide from upstanding Mason City citizens challenging them to public debates in a campaign for city office, in the Twin Cities, democracy is still alive and well.
No, Mayor Chris Coleman of St. Paul is not above the “discourse” as Eric Bookmeyer proclaimed that he and Scott Tornquist, Travis Hickey and Janet Solberg are. Even as they shun the public and levy insults upon four citizens who are armed only with tough questions and differing viewpoints, Mayor Coleman took on all comers at a recent public debate leading up to the mayoral election in that city.
Topics and discussion covered school shootings, Miley Cyrus, bubble wrap, PDF files, and more. One candidate even cracked a joke about Adam and Eve.
Mayor Coleman took it all in stride, even handling one opponent who was dressed like a pirate with a sense of humor. There was laughter from the audience and a couple of serious moments. It was what you would think a question and answer session would be.
I guess the people of Mason City may have to look 130 miles north to find elected officials with enough class and guts to give the voters what they deserve: A chance to ask questions and get straight answers from candidates for local office that include incumbents.
Hope to see you all Saturday morning at the library. I am looking forward to seeing all nine candidates there to face the public. I know the challengers will be there.
Watch a two minute video of the St. Paul mayoral candidates in a public forum / debate.
Bubble-wrap, a pox upon modern society. Thank goodness someone is debating it. With God’s help, we shall be for all time be rid of it’s temptations.
Matt, you need to stop hiding behind your little news site.
Really. Kind of like the time I blew up the mayor’s lunch. I walked in, showed up, in person, refused to be pushed around. I think my record shows very well that I will never hide.
Ugh…get over it, this isn’t about Clear Lake.
In Mason City, the Pirates ARE the incumbents!
Speak softly. Solberg can hear now.
What is worse then ducking the debates by incumbents?
If the citizens of Mason City vote to re-elect any of this group of arrogant and dishonest people, it will really, really show how negative this community is.
If there happens to me that many people in this town that would choose the kind of behaviour to lead Mason City that Bookmeyer, Solberg, Hickey, and Tornquist have displayed, this town isn’t going to carry any respect in the outside world. None, nada!
Let’s hope that don’t happen!
They must not think they can deal with a Debate. Solberg never could communicate with the people in her Ward. Never once answered a respectful e-mail from me or my husband. Sounds like she is getting desperate accusing Max of threatening her. That’s her style.
When and where did Janet Solberg say that Max threatened her?
It was on her Facebook page. There were people on there – her own friends – replying to her that they are voting for Max. Solberg deleted the post, but screenshots of it are out there.
You can also look as close as Waterloo, Mayor Buck Clark agreed to debates with Steve Schmitt, who is a long time sitting council member. In an election a few years ago the two of them were only separated by a few votes. Mayor Clark could have refused to debate, but he agreed and had stated it was the right thing to do for the people of Waterloo.
That is funny, but what would be more funnier would be the incumbants debating. Just sayin.
The video is funny! Good find NIT
Right! Ir’s every where but Mason City. The real political game…DEBATES! Face your citizens and enemies.
so not MEN except for Solberg! yikes!