by Matt Marquardt –
There might be fewer impromptu bull sessions at 9:56 AM Tuesday mornings in the supervisor’s office at the Cerro Gordo courthouse after Globe Gazette wage-earner John Skipper punished his former coffee mate Jay Urdahl this week in a blistering column uncharacteristically fresh with truth.
A few weeks ago, I suggested Skipper join his less-forunate co-workers and deliver newspapers in -50 degree wind chills. Maybe he took my advice and the exercise and brisk winter air improved his ability to write facts instead of total, unadulterated garbage.
In his weekly column published January 20, 2014, the Globe-Gazette’s Skipper turned on his pal, 25-year Cerro Gordo county Supervisor Urdahl, like he has never done before.
Skipper referred to Urdahl as “the Father Time on the Board”, who, “some say” has one of “the best-paying part-time jobs in the county, and maybe the world.” For reasons unknown to NIT, John Skipper has now joined the chorus of those who have been on to Urdahl’s game of feasting from the public trough for years.
As a journalist, I respect Mr. Skipper’s knowledge of county politics in this case. As a publisher of a successful and burgeoning online news website, I would like to figuratively extend my hand to Mr. Skipper, and tell him that it’s nice to see that this latest Monday column shows remarkable objectivity on his part. Give credit where credit is due here, because Skipper deserves kudos for publicly flogging Urdahl, an elected official who has oversaw the steady decline of Cerro Gordo County for a quarter of a century.
The blog comments on the online edition of the Globe relating to this column picked up where Mr. Skipper left off. Several posts pointed out that Urdahl has been unusually brazen in abusing the power of his office to protect his job, and his handsome and ever-increaing paycheck, at taxpayer expense. Among the many examples of this sordid tale are Jay Urdahl’s appointing his campaign counsel, Tim LaPointe, to the Cerro Gordo county Compensation Board. Other Urdahl cronies that Jay has stacked this Board with are Tom Jolas, and John Stone. Stone, who is the chairman of the Cerro Gordo county Democratic Party Central Committee, is a longtime Urdahl lackey who regularly dispenses county party funds needed by other, less funded candidates to his buddy Jay’s campaigns.
All in all, NorthIowaToday.com was mighty pleased to see that the Globe-Gazette has finally seen the light, at least as it relates to Jay Urdahl. But only time will tell if John Skipper, after all these years, will continue to expose his remaining readers to the ugly political realities of the opportunistic political hack that he calls “Father Time”.
I bet Turd-all already went to his sugar daddy tells old doc hey they are after me, look what they done. Time to make phone call’s get your rich friends write me some more big checks. A litle bird tell’s me Gary already give Jay a big check after this. You got him on the run Matt this time people’s eyes are wide open.
LMAO!!!!!!!
I feel the need to vent. LVS, Wendingo, Country redneck dipshit, etc, etc. You’ve got to be kidding. Am I on Candid Camera or is this Mayberry RFD? LMFAO
People get@ Your name is true. People do get whats coming to them. I got already got mine. You will get yours too someday.
DIDNT TAKE ME THAT LONG TO FIND OUT YOUR REAL NAME PEOPLE@ YOUR A JOKE. AND IF YOU THINK FOR ONE MINUTE IM SCARED OF YOU YOUR NUTS. I AM NOT GOING TO POST WHO YOU ARE BUT I DO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND WHAT YOU DID.
You use bully tactics and try to be intimidating. Good luck with that with me punk. Push further, I will post who you are. Your bullshit goes nowhere with me.
I agree that Matt snivels about those he don’t like. I why is it I can read his stories in it’s entirity but nothing else on his site?
I want to teach uneducated persons such as yourself the truth here in North Iowa. You are sorely needing my guidance and knowledge, hence your presence here. Thank you for seeking my help. Now do yourself a big favor and keep reading NIT once an hour everyday for the rest of your life.
Skinny@ don’t come into a mans house and bash him. If you don’t like it don’t come around. Matt based this site for people to vent. Don’t bite the hand that feeds. Matt should have been elected and has shown a positive track record of leadership.
You are living under a rock then! Are you kidding…?
Matt can show you all the injustices with his words for years!
Ask anybody on the street who are not lovers of bookmeyer and enterage you’ll get your answer.
Bad politicians are elected by good people who don’t vote.
I really like that quote !
Even though I’m a left leaning democrat. This is the kind of story, that makes me not trust Matt Marquardt.
Why the constant grade school insults of other people like Skipper? It makes the whole story sound childish and not professional.
I’ve lived in mason city all my life. And I’ve read the globe most days. And I’ve seen Skip’s column many times.
I don’t really care for the Globe myself. But I’ve yet to see Skipper write anything that I thought was way out of line or hurtful to others.
Sam@ if that’s who you really are I know you and Matt would hand your ass to you. You weigh a buck ten and are not tall enough to ride a roller coaster. You can trust matt. Just telling ya
Urdahl will back the mayor only as long as there is something in it for him and then he would throw him under the buss. With all of the stuff Urdahl has been accused of it must be getting harder and harder to make excuses for him. Urdahl is a tool and like all tools they wear out over time and must be replaced with newer, better tools.
You don’t like Bookmeyer? He’s a republican you know? He likes everything just like you. Loves god, hates weed and other drugs with a passion. Is biased against minorities. And he appears to be an alcoholic.
You’ll be burning Tea soon, if you don’t look out LVS lol
@Bookie-you are an idiot. I am not a republican and never have been. I don’t like our mayor because of the way he is tearing down our town in favor of his special interest friends. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I always vote. Now, urinate up a rope dumb A##.
@Bookie-by the way, I am not biased at all against minority’s. You see my wife is one and so are my children. You just confirm the amount of stupidity that is out there.
Bahahahaa this one made me laugh! Good one Matt!
Let’s see, What would make Skipper see the truth?
Is he scared about something and thinks it’s time to be honest because he will have to PAY big time for all the lies he has written and all the cover ups for the fraud of Mason Citys governing click.
Did they have words maybe? Or is his favorite, Bookmeyer not diggin on Urdahl? Maybe words with Bookmeyer even? Or simply a new years resolution to become an honest man? Naaah that can’t be it.
Time WILL reveal this, the biggest question so far in M.C. for 2014.