Letter to the Editor from Chris Watts of Mason City:
Educated & Informed
Regarding the upcoming election, I think it’s important that all are reminded that one does not have to vote straight party.
Having been a candidate in the past, I was surprised by the amount of people, when going door to door– that are unaware that you can still vote straight Democrat or Republican–BUT still put a mark by the person of YOUR CHOICE in the opposite party. This mark Does count and over rides the person in the straight vote checked. I always thought that the media could assist in educating the voters on this issue. A public service if nothing else.
I ran for County Supervisor and put alot of time in against a worthy opponent. But before I ran, I did my homework.
For 6 to 7 years now, I’ve taken the opportunity to attend most all public Supervisor meetings. To learn about the issues of the County, to form my own opinion. This coming election race has me a little concerned when I’ve NEVER seen Casey Callanan attend even one public meeting of the Board. I have nothing against this candidate, but wonder his agenda and who’s behind it. How does Casey know what’s going on? Or is this information being spoon fed by his backers? Power and Money? Is this the kind of person that should get your vote?
I saw many candidates at the meetings prior to the Primary election. The other two have been attending–but no Casey??
Now I know a lot of you have received letters with big endorsements, but ask yourself this, what kind of Representation is this–really!!
Please Vote
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Chris Watts is a community volunteer who spearheads the activities of the Georgia-Hanford Neighborhood Association which works to better the city’s south side. The lilac bushes along 19th SE, a new full-size basketball court at the park, lights, fences at the ball diamond, and other efforts are a result of his leadership, along with help from many of his neighbors. Mr. Watts has also ran for county supervisor previously.
Thanks, Chris for your letter.
Mason City needs more guys like Chris Watts. Guys who do their homework and follow through. There are too many people elected in Iowa that are there to hold a position so some back room megalomaniac can have his way. These placeholder candidates need to be identified and removed from office. I believe you are right Mr. Watts about this Casey Callanan is a placeholder and is going to do nothing to advance the county.
are some of you the same ones who voted for Obama when the only thing he did was talk in the south side of Chicago and now how bad it is this guy has not been to a BOS meeting?
I see this letter ran in the Globe today. Way to go Chris! No comments there yet, but I imagine Toddy Boy won’t be long.
Glob will stifle comments unless it’s against Watts. The Glob hates him, and Skipper in particular has a real grudge against him.
Callanan has never been to a meeting?
Why would anyone even consider voting for a guy that is not even engaging with the board he wants to be a part of? A even better question would be why would Callahan not to be engaging with the board he wants to be a part of? Callanan and his supporters would have to answer these questions before I would even consider voting for this guy.
Chris, how many meetings have Nelson and Drury attended?
Nelson has been attending everyone since he announced and also be fore announcing he did attend several through out the years.
I know what would be a start–tell all your friends that live in the Ventura/Clear/Lake/Thornton/Meservy/Rockwell/Rock Falls area—to go vote vote Doug Nelson.
Enough of the Jay Urdahl/Gary Blodgett game with peoples lifes!!
Really, ask yourself, why is Casey running?
4 blocks from the Courthouse and he hasn’t made ONE meeting yet?????
Seriously ticks me off!
Exactly. Why is it so difficult to get people to vote? A typical response is, “It doesn’t matter, anyway. The wrong people always get in”. And why is that? Think about it. It’s because people with that attitude never bother to vote! Those of you who never vote need to heed this advice: YOU can make all the difference in the world by exercising your RIGHT to vote. You’ll feel better about yourself (believe me) after you’ve voted. Just do it.
Wouldn’t it be fun to pull a fast one on Gary Blodgett? I’ve already voted for Doug Nelson. If enough other democracy conscious people do the same thing we could actually end up with a supervisor who works for US instead of the 1%.
It never ceases to amaze me that millions of middle class (or lower) voters vote for candidates who care nothing about them or their financial problems. It’s almost as if they’re “star struck” by these extremely wealthy candidates. I just don’t get it.
Fun, yes it would be. But Doc plays for keep’s. When he run for the state house back in the day, his son the one does drugs, he was all around the north end where we live. The Blodgett boy he had some big bruiser like a Harley guy, with him, about 6’5″, least 300 lbs, looks like he was out on parole. Paid folks to put yard signs out for his daddy. $50 up front $50 more after the vote. Gary buy’s his elections for his SOB’s just like he done his own. Hard to beat sneaky-ness like that.
Nice commentary from Chris Watts; succint. Interesting to learn of his community involvement, and he’s right: What kind of representation is it when the rich and powerful assume they should be handed office rather than work for it? I’m not too thrilled with the manner in which Doug Nelson attained the Democratic ticket, but I voted 4 him because Callanan wouldn’t do even a smidget of the things Chris Watts has already done for the community. Callanan is a TOP>DOWN kind of guy
@ Philosophus, Top Down describes the attitude of these Republitards to a T: the rich and well-connected indeed feel they are entitled to rule. Mr. Callanan must feel this way because that is the Blodgett way. Old doc raised him more money than any candidate for a Cerro Gordo county Supervisor has ever raised. Callanan is only the latest beneficiary of Gary’s money and wealthy contacts. Jay Urdahl has been on the receiving end of Blodgett’s efforts since he first ran over 25 years ago.
Seen on Alex Jones the other day – early voting in Chicago – New video voting machine? Everytime he voted republican it cast a vote for the demorat opponent ???? Where was that guy Daley or Barrrack from ????
While money is paramount, it pales next to the power of the vote. What does the lottery say? If you don’t play you can’t win. How about if you don’t vote you can’t win?
Man Chris Watts tells it like it is. So refreshing to hear a man with some backbone for once. Chris, I don’t know about your plans but I sure hope you give it another shot, I think you can pull it out next time.
I hope this doesn’t hurt Chris’ future with the Republican party. He’s just telling it like it is. It’s not his fault Casey doesn’t attend. Just the facts.
@ anonymous, Chris is a nice man, we like him, voted for him. And we are Democrats too. Chris would of made a real good superviser, alot better than Phil who is about as smart as a grape. Love Chris’ idea, get two more supervisers on that board. But the rich Republitard that went and blew up that idea turned the Republitards against Chris when he went up against Dougherty. This would be Gary Blodgett. Long as old doc is around, I think Chris has no future of any kind with Republitards.
Amazing how the good old boys work–or try to work the system.
From what little I know, Casey C. works 3 to 4 blocks from the Courthouse–and he can’t make a meeting now??
And there are some out there that want to elect him?????????????????????????????????
@ Joe, they’re much worse than “good old boys”, the problem is rich old boys. As these comments show, old Doc Blodgett picks who he wants, writes them big checks, and casts out his net on their behalf. He was my orthodontist, and he’s a control freak. I could never bring myself to vote for him, because he is to the right of Attila the Han. Now we all get to live under the rule of Gary’s choices to govern us. Probably we will just have to wait for him to get tired of calling the shots.
JD look’s like nobody seen what the laker lady says, all you people just bitching on Blodgett throwing all this big money around to get Urdahl in, keep him there, put in this Casey keep Phil under his thumb all that. Ok so, what do we do. It has came the time we put a stop right now to all this Republitard dirty dealing’s, it is bad for working folks bad for our family’s, only good for the 1% we know this. I say we get hold of Mr Nelson ask him how we can make him be the one gets in.
Ok who is the money, power behind this Callahan. I did look into it. The same Republitard on his power trip put Urdahl in, keeps him in, Gary Blodgett. Old doc he raised him alot of real big money. This kid use to work down to the state house for greedy Gary. You see Chris would of beat Dougherty last time to. But see old doc, the string puller, he mails out all them letters, they say if Watts gets in your tax goes up. Lie. Doug Nelson gets my vote, he will not let Doc yank his chain.
BOS is suppose to mean Board of Superviser’s, not Blodgett’s own SOB’s.
Thank you, Mr. Watts, for this erudite column. We cannot vote in district 2, but we hope Mr. Nelson wins. The last thing We, the People, need is a packed county BOS that is fully stacked with Dr. Blodgett’s hand-picked cronies. People, do get out and vote, please, please, please! Please! At least with Doug, we can have one Supervisor who is not neck-deep into Gary Blodgett’s pocket. Democracy for the Few is what old Doc wants, which we simply must deny to this archaic, crypto-fascist.
These complaints are true, fellow Democrats, but what shall we do about it? Blodgett has been tilting the field his way for many years. Yet, all we do is complain, complain. We are the Party of the People, whereas Gary is for the One Percent. I say to you let’s roll up our sleeves, help Doug with his door-knocking, put out yard signs, make phone calls, and talk Doug up to our friends, and we will beat old Doc at his own game. It isn’t too late, we still can win! Have I a second on this?
@ Proud, your saying what is right, looks like there is some thinks we can’t go out raise money for the one’s we want to get in? The Blodgett’s and their rich friends are not the only one’s has money to give to them they want to be in politics right? You people say you don’t want Callahan to be in, well you better get busy, if you don’t then you better stop all this yelling about something you won’t help with. This is my opinion take it for what it is worth.