Op-ed by Carol Patnode of Mason City –
During the garbage burning facility debate, Mayor Bookmeyer behaved in an arrogant manner and created a process that was disrespectful to the citizens who had concerns about the safety of that facility. Arrogance is a way of behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people. Is this good for Mason City? Is it good for any city? Consider the following when you go to vote:
Eric Bookmeyer, Current Mayor
Arrogant, controlling behaviors
Believes in ignoring or silencing citizens
Unwilling to debate publicly
Not from Mason City. Believes in
Government of a few, by a few, and for a few
Max Weaver, Former Member of City Council
Passionate, occasional outbursts
Believes in hearing from citizens
Open to public debate/forum
Loves Mason City! Believes in
Government of the people, by the people, for the people
Who is the BEST MAN for the job?
Who has your best interests in mind?
Seems obvious to me.
VOTE MAX for Mayor of Mason City.
Hello,
I’m a 21 year old college student attending NIACC currently. I’d like to start off by saying how strange this election has been to prior ones. I agree with the fact that our city has been divided, we are no longer working together as we should. I feel the young voters have never had a voice, and its time to reclaim it. The best way I see to do this is by voting for Max Weaver on Nov. 5th. I’ve known him for years and he’s always helped me with issues big or small. The way he communicates with the youth is astounding, Max’s listening skills are impeccable. That right there is huge to us, the youth. We like to be heard. We need to be heard. We like to feel wanted and Invited. Max does this and he does it well. Max’s idea’s are breakthrough, and could bring great things to us and our city. It’s time we get him back. It’s time we get our city back. Vote Max.
-CJ
Hello CJ, Max IS a great guy and really fun/interesting to talk to. I know why you are attracted to him. Unfortunately, as a council member and especially Mayor, he would be bad for Mason City. Max is “off the wall’ many times. While this makes him interesting and unique , this makes him unpredictable to business people looking to expand or move to our town. Nice guy BUT bad front man for our city IMHO.
Mr. Liberty will vote for the incumbents.
Eric Bookmeyer, Current Mayor
Arrogant, controlling behaviors( Not saying he is but some would say that is what a leader has to be)
Believes in ignoring or silencing citizens( I think he believes in cutting off the crazies)
Unwilling to debate publicly( Risky decision, will it pay off on Nov. 5th)
Not from Mason City.( Neither was Roger Bang) Believes in
Government of a few, by a few, and for a few( I don’t think this is true)
Max Weaver, Former Member of City Council
Passionate,(Yes) occasional outbursts ( Unfortunately more than occasionally and on TV for the world to see-really NOT good.)
Believes in hearing from citizens(Yes but still has his own,how should I put this, out there opinions)
Open to public debate/forum (Of course he is, He’s the challenger)
Loves Mason City! (Yes)Believes in
Government of the people, by the people, for the people(Yes as does the Mayor IMHO)
Hitten the maid real simple
Can anyone enlighten me & explain what comments mean concerning the “maid? I have read several references to this, but do not understand what it is all about. Thanks.
@WCS- there is a nasty rumor going around that our mayor was trying to fool around with one of their maids. The other one is he has a mistress. I put no stock in either one of the rumors. I know his wife and he would be crazy to do anything that might cause her to throw him out. Our mayor has a lot of faults, but I don’t think he is that crazy.
Well put LVS and do you know you started this B.S. rumor? Peter Children of course.
WONDER IF DRUNKMEYER’S MISTRESS WILL BE AT HIS DEFEAT PARTY OR IF HE WILL LET HIS WIFE COME. DONT THINK HE HAS A MISTRESS??? WELL THINK AGAIN.
Such garbage again from NIT
I have to admit, had I still lived in Mason City, I would have opted out of this election cycle. There is no way I would vote for Bookmeyer or Weaver. An empty chair would be a better option!
Reggie (Red)…
That was a good one…
It’s almost like I don’t even exist 😛
If people really want change , only you, Matt and Jodi really offer that. Max and Leonard have shown what they can do, which is the same crap everyone is bitching about.
Aww why thank you 🙂
How many doors did you knock, how many letters did you send out, how many calls have you made? I have seen NONE of that from you Quinn. You have acted like YOU don’t exist…
Tons of doors, 0 letters, and lots of emails. I have however shown up to more debates than the incumbent.
You won’t get 50 votes….and will take them from Max.
I have a serious question for everyone who comments on the current Mayor. Who I support for Mayor is irrelevant. This is simply an honest question. How many of you who comment on the Mayor’s drinking habits have actually ever seen him drunk, or are you just gossiping? I am just curious. Thank you
Are you serious? There is no gossip on this site.
I have seen him drunk. I have seen him buying cigarettes, (pretty sure those arent blue zone approved), and I have seen him in the middle of the day smelling like alcohol.
There you have it. One anonymous poster in thousands of anonymous posters.
A sad day for sure…. I just wonder if a statewide or nationwide candidate didn’t show up to an “issues form” what would be the fallout?
This is a clear signal, they don’t care.
Don’t show up a chamber event and “glad hand” everyone, that doesn’t count. Don’t have a “virtual debate” in front of a camera with people mumbling questions at you, that doesn’t count. Meeting people after a council meeting, that doesn’t count. Getting off your asses and meeting the public at an open forum, standing up like an adult to the public — THAT COUNTS.
Janet Solburg( or how ever it is spelled )still says Max said he would shoot her,why wasn’t she at the forum,I think she is lying
Of course it is a lie and she took it off her face book page, she is a fool. Max also addressed this today at the forum.
I would like to know where and when the Mayor and his Dream Team, decided to snub the candidate forums? If they all met together, that would consist of a quorum and that is a direct violation of the Iowa Open Meetings Law…..
Just sayin..
Congratulations to all of the candidates who participated in the forum this morning. It was a phenomenal experience to see democracy in action. The incumbents should be ashamed of themselves for shunning the citizens of Mason City…..AGAIN!!
Thank you, Quinn, Max, Matt, Leonard, Jodi and Sheryl for showing us what it takes to be a class act!!! You cannot go wrong voting for any of these fine people…. although as Jodi’s campaign manager, I must put in a plug for her…hahahaha
NOW– EVERYONE ON THE NIT BLOGS– PLEASE VOTE, LOW VOTER TURNOUT WILL ONLY HELP THE INCUMBENTS…. VOTE– TELL YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN…..VOTE NOVEMBER 5TH..
@MB, I too was at the forum and it was respect all around from all that were there. There was no mud slinging or anything of the kind. (By the way, Jodi did a great job just as she has when I have talked to her when she knocked on my door! I am very impressed with her.)
Why is it that this mayor and his “team” chose not to be there? They were forced by the mayor not to show up, that is telling in itself, enough. You are right about the quorum, that is the only way this could happen that none of them showed up. It is against the law.
Also interesting that the only TV station that was there was from Rochester. Nobody from KGLO or any other radio stations. Skipper, the main political reporter was not there but they did send the B team, we will see what they put in the paper tomorrow about this event.
I have had it up to my ears with this Mayor and sitting council members.
The only thing these forums did was play right into Bookmeyer’s favor. Do you honestly think the people that are going to vote for him would show up to this to see if they might want to change their mind??!! On the other hand, everyone against Bookmeyer would show up for this and MIGHT think about voting for Quinn/Gerk which will SPLIT the vote with Max and Jodi! If you want change, you need to be a little smarter than the BEER team and unfortunately everyone in favor of these forums failed to recognize they actually played a part in Bookmeyer’s plan!
I have a question for you MB, does Jodi buy into all of Peter C.’s B.S. or will she distance herself from it?
When the current mayor and council sat around over alcoholic drinks and decided that they could not go to any debates or meetings for our citizens what was the determining factor?
Did one say ” Max will crush me, I don’t really know much about Mason City I can’t and another “I haven’t returned calls to the folks in my ward ever so I can’t” “I bold assed lied to my ward” I can’t “I screwed with peoples houses and won” I can’t.
I cannot wrap my brain around WHY the people we hired for a job are NO SHOWS?! In the work force we give anything for bosses to not show for meetings but we didnt hire them. We did HIRE this mayor and council and they are NO SHOWS.
YOUR’RE FIRED !!!!!
This IS NOT RIGHT!
I was at the event at the Library today. Max did a great job in my opinion. His explanation of the difference between leading the meeting as Mayor and being on the council was very good. Good turn out as well, there were around 100 people in the room, pretty good for not having anyone there to debate with. The sitting mayor, Hickey, Solberg and Tornquist as so arrogant that they don’t think they have to show up to a public meeting. They don’t want to face the very public that they have been elected to represent. That alone should tell you how you should vote.
I voted for Max. Jodi and Scott T. FYI. I think it will be a cross mix of culture, education and view points
Good Luck to our current Mayor. maybe you could get one of
Those “Amazing” jobs for $9 bucks an hour.
Maybe Max can get a job.
Maybe after Crookmeyer loses this election, he should choose between these options: 1) alcohol abuse treatment, 2) move out of MC; 3)find a real job! His poor wife deserves better. Maybe she’ll boot his worthless a– out. Come on Mason City, we can do better – VOTE MAX! At least he will listen to us & treat us with respect. GO MAX!
I will be voting for change. Max & Leonard will get my vote. Jodi & Matt will get my support.
I voted at the courthouse. Get out and vote early while the weather is good. Even if you are not a Weaver fan, Bookmeyer and this “better than thou and we will do it OUR way” council MUST GO!!! They are NOT Mason City…Prove it and send a message, GET OUT AND VOTE!!!
Fellow Citizens of Mason City:
At this time there are only 16 responses. Let this be a warning to you all.
There should be 1000s posting on this question and they aren’t. That scares me and for good reason.
This campaign season has been so quiet that few even know there is an election. The masses have not been contacted and had the issues explained to them and seriousness of this campaign for the well being of Mason City and it’s future.
Many, many citizens do not know that Mayor Bookmeyer is a bully. They do not know of his disregard for them. They know nothing of his drinking problem.
I pray you candidates have something in mind to bring the issues out to the people and talk to them to get them to vote.
Just saying!
Its a Saturday morning. The hawkeyes are on tv, hunting season is upon us. Understand your position but come election day Bookmeyer will be singing one song. “I drink A LONE”
I think it is a more a question of the small percentage of Mason City citizens that read this site than other things going on this morning. I believe that Bookmeyer will win by a large margin as will the other incumbants. Not my wish just what I think will happen. I have not voted yet and am still deciding what I want to do.
I did see him kick a cat. Uncool.
MAX all the way!
Let’s see, Bookmeyer called us hillbillies, that’s the group other then the 2400 people who think they are better and the 27 who he calls close. Don’t let this boy fool you one more minute!
VOTE MAX !
“Bookie” the reason why you have gained weight is because there are a lot of calories in beer. Maybe you should spend more time in a gym & less time “consuming.” Then, as a “hands on parent” you would be spending more quality time with your family! Doesn’t this sound like a good plan?
Where did “Bookie” reside before he pleased MC with his presence? Boy, has he pulled the wool over on us!!!!!! Send him packing!! He needs to go back to where he came from. All he has done for MC is eliminate good paying city jobs. We certainly don’t need this.
Good ole Nebraska! LOL!
Sorry – it should read … VOTE THIS DRUNK OUT!!
@Observer-The message came through loud and clear. I completely agree with you. Don’t worry about the typo. It happens with me all the time.
Different Observer? I sure did not type that.
Following the thread of Carol’s Op-ed, while we have not always seen eye-to-eye, let us agree on the points you have raised.
I was somewhat surprised at the lack of media turn out for this event. My question is, was this not important enough for them to cover for the community?
One hopes that altruism should prevail with our media, and in it’s quest to cover events that are important to the citizens of our community, set aside any bias.
“Bookie” believes he is better than most of the citizens of this City. He doesn’t feel the rules apply to him or his family. He is very arrogant, rude, has no respect for the “seniors” of this community. He feels he can dictate who city employees can & cannot talk to, as well as the counsel members. CITIZENS OF MC, WE NEED A CHANGE, VOTE HIS DRUNK OUT, LET HIM DRINK ON HIS OWN DIME.
And he doesn’t like puppies and kittens!
Come on people give it up!
That is complete bullcrap.
Max for mayor, Matt for 4th ward!
“concerned” you will be the first one to bitch while your have coffee at breakfast so get out and vote.
Max
Vote for Max.
Can I choose “None of the Above”?
Certainly! But just don’t bitch when the one you really don’t want is elected.
Max voter here
GO MAX!