Saturday October 25, 20213
Today was a day that shall go down in history of this city. Today was the very first time since the inception of this community, over 160 years that a political debate was held and the incumbents chose not to attend. That I find both amazing and sad, I also find it to be unimaginable. Let me elaborate further; there are four incumbents involved here: 1) Eric Bookmeyer, the mayor of this city 2) Councilman at large, Scott Tornquist 3) Council representative of the second ward, Travis Hickey and 4) Council person for the fourth ward, Janet Solberg.
Now follow along; these individuals chose not to face the very citizens who voted to place them in their current positions… all four are running for re-election and have placed campain signs in lawns and where ever else they are allowed. They do not want to answer any questions these people may want to ask; they still want you to vote for them but thay don’t want to have any personal contact with you.
One that I know of has invested in billboard advertising, the mayor has taken an ad in the local paper that runs continually….but the most effective method, the public debate that have flat out rejected, and today they proved it. The local press for the most part stayed away, a TV crew from Austin, Minnesota showed up to shoot film of the occasion; our local radio station chose to pass. Our local television station appears to be quite selective when deciding which events it will cover, but when soliciting ad revenue….there seems to be no prejudice, they’ll take anyone’s money.
These same four who stayed away are counting on low voter turnout, and chances are they’ll get their wish. This city has one of the most dismal voter turnouts anywhere in the state. Hopefully this year that will change. If more people vote the incumbents will lose, but this is yet unknown.
If you are a registered voter in Mason City, it is absolutely critical that you vote….vote the new candidates into office, let make a clean sweep of those who hide from their own constituents.
Peter Children
12 thoughts on “Op-ed: A historic day in Mason City politics”
Sounds like typical liberal democrats to me?
BILLY JACK !!!!!
WHO is advising these people? Not even first graders would think this was very smart.
For none of them to attend simply shows they DON’T care about the well being of this city. To use the excuse that they don’t want to be a “around a culture of significant negativity” only proves who they are. It never said they had to be negative to debate…this only proves if they wanted to send a positive message about what they stand for and their true character, an appearance would have been made no matter how big the differences and attitudes are!! I commend all of the challengers for taking a step in the right direction and sharing their visions!! If yesterday doesn’t prove what our incumbents stand for, NOTHING will!! Please vote….it’s your right!!!
WORD HAS TO BE PUT OUT ALL OVER NOT TO VOTE THE SCARDY CATS INTO OFFICE. NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING , NOT TO SHOW UP FOR DEBATE.
It was the 26th but im not going to argue with a gold pen winner
Historic will be Nov.5th when all four incumbents are voted out and sent packing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very well written and the absolute truth. I continue to urge the citizens to get out and vote on November 5. This is the most important election in recent history. Let’s take our city back… Thanks to everyone who is participating in the democratic process.
The sheer arrogrence of these four incumbents is truly unparalleled. Where else could you find it? If this isn’t a direct slap in the face of every citizen living in this city, then I don’t know what else it could be? Coupled with it is the compliance of the local media. KIMT chose to totally ignor the debate, whereas KAAL traveled here to cover it. If you’re in the media business news is news, that is effectively your “product”‘ it’s your main ingredient and if this past debated didn’t qualify as news then exactly what does?
The decision by the management of our local television station was juvenile at best. It showed poor judgement and projected bias. I am not an advertiser but if I were, that would be the last place I’d consider.
Good article Peter. Hard hitting but, right to the point.
Absolutely disgusting! I have finally let my thoughts OUT! To my vife’s dismay, although she agrees with me.
I have a responsibility to teach my children and grandchildren the rights and wrongs of daily living and the law of the land. Today I have alot of explaining to do. My reference guide in our talks in the local political arena will be to start here. With the most intelligent and special people imaginable, our candidates trying to get our city back on track.
Thankfully when I am gone the history books will prove what we the citizens of Mason City were up against with our current men running the show.
Right now all I can tell them is time proves everything and I can’t tell you why these people choose the lying hoodwink way to run each of us.
Is it money? Power? Fame? Fame alright, it is on record, every last bit of it. As for the money and power it does not go with you to the grave. So what could it be? Mean spirited or self centeredness and they can’t help it? With that you would think by just living they could correct themselves. Much bigger mental issues than I can grasp.
I honestly wish I had the answer for my children and grandchildren because they want to know.
Go to the courthouse and vote early! VOTE THESE BUMS OUT!!!