From NIT reader:
Dear North Iowa Today,
I wanted to send this in to your newsroom. I cannot use my name because the mayor and his followers will seek retribution against my business if they know who I am. I sent a complaint to Terry Branstad about his appointment of Mayor Bookmeyer to Vision Iowa Board and I got this reply a few days later. I think this reply falls short. I’ve been a life-long Democrat but voted for Terry every election because I trust his leadership. However his appointment of Bookmeyer has shaken me. I told him I disagreed and I got this response (see email below.) I feel like the governor can do better than this in addressing my complaint.
Thanks for you time in looking at this.
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Terry E. Branstad
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Kim Reynolds
GOVERNOR LT. GOVERNOR
April 10, 2014
XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXXX North XXXXXXX Avenue
Mason City, IA 50401-1027
Dear XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you for contacting the Office of Governor Terry E. Branstad with your concerns about the Vision Iowa Board.
The Iowa Code mandates that all appointments be gender and party balanced. Additionally when resignations or new member appointments occur, the Iowan has to meet the requirements set by Iowa Code. If you would like more information about Boards and Commissions please go online to https://openup.iowa.gov/.
Again, thank you for contacting the office of Governor Terry Branstad. If you have any further questions or concerns please contact us by calling 515-281-5211.
Sincerely,
Office of the Governor
Ben Hammes, Boards and Commissions Director
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Publisher’s note: NIT has learned that a number of persons who complained to Governor Terry Branstad got this generic response and did not specifically address the concerns articulated by these citizens.
Betcha, Tuddball never saw the letter. Robo response more than likely…
I am very disappointed in Branstad’s response. I had voted for him in the last election but if he is not going to listen to the people and at least give a decent response I will have to rethink my next vote. I will NOT vote for Hatch as he has done nothing but try to discredit Branstad. So far I have not heard one thing from Hatch about what he can and will do. All he has said is what he thinks Branstad did wrong. That is typical of a lot of politicians but I want to hear what he plans.
I think you are onto something here, LVS. Why don’t you write to Hatch and ask him what he’s going to do and then we can see how his response compares to Branstad’s.
@Mediator-That is a good idea. I just will not vote for anyone who thinks the only way to get elected is to tear down their opponent.
I don’t think anything is going to get through to the governor’s desk.
If it did, how could he say, “I didn’t know” later on if something goes wrong?
This is how it’s done, given his recent spate of “I didn’t knows”
Sorry about my recent outbursts, Rastamon was out of line.
^not me, some troll.
This is a form letter response, I doubt if the governor ever saw it. Although the response was true, he meets the requirements and at this moment I think
Eric is still breathing.
Not a good choice but not much we can do about it.
Looks like he is typical after all. Matt send the governors office all of NIT’s mail with our concerns.
Got to get through! With mails to him and then his brain.
Matt,
Thanks again for bringing hard hitting new stories like this to the public. I cannot think of another news organization that is willing to print stories like this. Stories that bring to light how our local and state governments are ran more for political reasons than for the best interest of the people. Please do not lose your political aspirations as I look forward to voting for you again in the next local elections. We need your voice for “the people” in local government.
Appreciate this nice note. It’s hard work but I feel someone has to do it. I’m keeping my options open!
Matt, you know who this is. Run for mayor. Your a hell of a smart guy and would do the city a good job. You got my vote to.