Opinion by Matt Marquardt –
Yes, Bookmeyer and his council are corrupt. We already know Bookmeyer admitted to stealing stamps from city hall for his private party. We know about the hostile work environment complaints. We also know he speaks poorly of local business owners when they criticize him. Furthermore, we know for a fact he does city business over drinks, and booze-drenched napkins serve as some kind of contract between the taxpayers he represents and the lucky party set to benefit. As for the council, well, we already saw certain businesses connected to the council (Metalcraft, Mercy Hospital, IC System for examples) get sweet deals time and again, and allow this mayor to lead them around by the nose like Helen Keller clones. It’s been confirmed now that one of our councilmen may be buying into the construction company he works at. He just voted to put his boss on the board at the North Iowa Corridor. Talk about a leg up on the competition… could be trouble there. We know insurance agent Janet Solberg attempted to meddle in the insurance business with the city by pulling records, and we know Travis Hickey’s garage shenanigans.
The above paragraph could be pages and pages long. Just read NIT to get all the details. These dirty dealings are part of what ails this community; the socially and politically connected squash the “ordinary citizen”. Why do you think the North End lays in ruins while the Cultural Crescent gets millions?
Now, there could be trouble for anyone looking to rock this boat. I’ve been known to take this metaphoric “boat” and not just rock it but tip it over, just to watch the cockroaches scurry. That’s when the letters started coming to my house promising I’d be shot, and the mayor and more than one of his cronies became unpaid sales agents for my business, routinely attempting to undermine my hard work. We’ll see how that all turns out.
Bill Schickel, a candidate for the city council, promises to “give a strong voice to ordinary citizens”. Obviously, this will be a major clash of styles of leadership. Corruption and honesty mix like oil and water, not like vodka and soda, the way Bookmeyer likes it.
When (if?) Bill Schickel is elected, it will be interesting to see if Mr. Schickel sticks to his word, and how the no-good sell-outs respond.
It’s delusional to think William Schickel will be anything but a perfectly obedient and conformed councilman. Does he not understand how this game works? They run for these positions not to effectuate meaningful change, but for self aggrandizement and a sense of personal accomplishment.
Matt’s delusional if he thinks William Schickel will be anything but a perfectly obedient and conformed councilman. Does he not understand how this game works? They run for these positions not to effectuate meaningful change, but for self aggrandizement and a sense of personal accomplishment.
Willie Pickle now and when he is elected he will become the “Sour Pickle”. You won’t be able to stand him.
Dill Pickle 4 mayor !!!
Really? Gee, let’s think of all the great things Schickel did as mayor . . . Guess I can’t think of any. Hmmm.
Let’s all agree to Willie Dill Pickle !! Ok ?
we used to call him “Dill Pickle” when he was mayor
He has some personal tics that I don’t care for, but like him or or not, he is a grownup with more than a little experience in government. I think he would add a pragmatic,get things done voice to our Council. He has my vote.
Apparently American politics is largely figurehead symbolic. Democracy has the potential to be a great vehicle of progress and change but only in eras when the population is ripe for it. This time around Americans are resting on their previous efforts and the current efforts of China. No atmosphere of boom exists yet, despite all the now hiring signs. It’s a wasted life.
He can only say he is republican when his wife isn’t around .. Hahahaha .. He will be ok but not conservative. His perfect position would be an ambassador of some place no one knows about or cares about.. Perfect !! Wait …. I guess that’s what he is running for !! I’m on fire … Hahaha
I like the name Willie Pickle for Schickel the RHINO Republican.
That is Republican In Name Only!
He couldn’t clash with anyone… That’s funny he can’t even decide what party he is in most of the time…
Watchdog is correct !!
I don’t agree with Bill on many issues but I don’t think he will be a puppet for Bookmeyer and Hickey like many of the other council people. The mayor is nothing more then a figure head the council sets the direction of the city and they need to take control.
Nothing will change. Remember, you heard it here.
Bill Schickel is as liberal a thinker as you can get. He loves TIF and all the government giveaway programs that come along.
Don’t get me wrong Bill is likable, but not the conservative he would have you believe he is.
Well said; “lead them around by the nose like Helen Keller clones.”
A classic phrase, if there ever was one!!!
Given the options, Im going to place my bet on Bill. I have found him to be a reasonable, honest, decent guy.
I have not always agreed with Bill in the past, but I am willing to give him a chance. He has always been a good man when the politics didn’t get in the way. Good luck Bill Schickel.
If Bill is elected, I don’t anticipate seeing any of these shady shenanigans from him.
WOW!