MASON CITY – Delicious craft beer quenched the thirst of past and present government officials and other business representatives Thursday night in the Cultural Crescent, but the scene wasn’t as welcoming as it might seem, after police arrived.
The Chamber-of-Commerce-sponsored “ribbon cutting” for 1st Insurance was held beginning at 3:30 Thursday in Commercial Alley in the heart of the Cultural Crescent. 1st Insurance moved its operation about a block east from an office inside Bank of America (25 West State Street) to a new office at 20 East State Street.
To mark this monumental business achievement and the prospect of selling even more insurance policies, pony kegs were wheeled over from Mason City Brewing to the corner of Commercial Alley and State Street, and the taps began to gush forth the frothy, golden nectar needed to fuel the party that was set to begin.
As the event opened up, NIT is told that Mayor Eric Bookmeyer attended, as did councilwoman Jean Marinos and City Administrator Brent Trout. Also in attendance was Cerro Gordo County Supervisor Casey Callanan, former mayor Roger Bang and Human Rights Commissioner Ann Harty – all three of whom are insurance agents working for 1st Insurance.
According to the Chamber of Commerce’s website, the event was scheduled for just one hour.
However, the celebration continued until at least 6:30, and beer was still being consumed outside near a tent that was set up in the parking lot. A few people milled around outside – including Harty and Bang – and some were still filling plastic cups with booze. Dr. Jay Lala was there, chatting and giggling with two young ladies, among others.
NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt arrived on the scene at this time, and slowed down to take a few pictures of the event. A man told Marquardt “you can’t take pictures” … and a few words were traded. According to a source who spoke to NIT via phone Friday, Dr. Jay Lala became furious that Marquardt was on the street and sidewalk taking photos. Immediately after the photos were taken and Marquardt left the party, Lala was spotted walking away from the event, speaking in an animated fashion into a cell phone. The source who called NIT said Lala spoke at the party in a very derogatory fashion of NIT and Marquardt, and others overheard most everything he said.
Only about 5-7 minutes later, as the pony kegs were being wheeled back to Mason City Brewing, a police SUV pulled up to the party scene and stopped in the alley. Supervisor Casey Callanan was outside talking to the police officer for several minutes.
Marquardt again went by the party location, coming within a few feet of the officer and Callanan, but neither man looked his way nor said a word.
NIT attempted to reach the Mason City Police Department for more details as to why a police officer arrived at the party, and Friday afternoon, a police spokesman denied that a call to police was made.
