Opinion by Matt Marquardt –
I’ve really tried to lay off Mayor Eric Bookmeyer, for some time now. He’s mostly stayed out of the bars (at least here in town), he hasn’t sent anyone to try to beat me up lately, and for the most part – miraculously – he has avoided making a complete ass of himself, somehow, for awhile. So I gave him a pass.
But there’s this nagging rumor that just won’t go away, and it’s got me worried.
As a little background, I’ve already made it clear that Eric is the self-serving type. His wife and the people of Mason City line his pockets; I got zero respect for that. As mayor for 6+ years, despite his best efforts of intentionally using his office to meet and befriend anyone who he thinks might hire him, Eric is jobless. No one seems to want to give this man a job. And believe me, some of his closest buddies have told me he wants a job, his wife is actually demanding he gets a job. See, people talk to me about Eric; he would be petrified if he knew the things I have been told, and this is one of them. Our mayor has a few secrets.
One secret that is getting out is that Eric wants Brent Trout’s job. This rumor has been circulating for some time. Now that it’s been brought up to me yet again, I have to say, this worries me. Like I said, Eric is not qualified to be the dog catcher let alone city administrator, and I definitely do not want to pay him a bigger salary than I already do.
Apparently, I am told, Eric and Mr. Trout are no longer good friends. I’m told that the days of Mr. Trout intervening to protect Eric are all over. The next time Eric is frightened (and I’m guessing that’s often; he looks soft and weak), he’ll have to find someone else to save him.
My sources tell me Eric is gunning for the job of interim city administrator; he wants Mr. Trout out. Eric once again trying to set all the wheels in motion so in a sleazy, back-door kinda way, he’ll get what he wants. Spoiled brats do that when they can’t win fair and square.
What exactly happened between these two former-good-buddies is not exactly known, but it’s pretty much over. Sources are telling me that Eric is attempting again to stock our city council with zombies who will do Eric’s bidding (what a sad existence that must be). The evidence is in the candidacy of Brett Schoneman, a totally unqualified individual who happens to be Eric’s little pal. He can’t pay his taxes on time and he can’t be on time for an airport board meeting. But Eric wants him on the council so Eric won’t have to debate anything.
Now, I am reaching out to some council members to try and find out what’s what here. I really hope Alex Kuhn, John Lee, Bill Schickel and even Travis Hickey are not a part of this and won’t stand for it. I have built some respect for Mr. Kuhn, for example. I think he is trying hard and despite a few concerns (look at his election committee, that would make anyone cringe) I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. But if this council were to find itself letting Mr. Trout go in favor of Eric, I would lose all faith not only in him but the rest of the council. I feel there would be a major backlash in the community against them.
There is far, far too much resume-building going on in this town as it is with these chamber cronies who run and govern this town (you know the list); giving Eric this notch on his would be despicable. Please, city council, do not do something stupid.
The caption under the picture cracks me up! Thanks, I needed a good laugh today!
So, does any of this surprise anyone???
Having crookmeyer as administrator would be more of a disaster for this town. I remember when this town didn’t have both, mayor and administrator, and somehow, without a vote, now we have both. I think Trout could run this city, get rid of the mayor position, and crookmeyer.
I don’t particularly find the Mayor position anything but an obstruction or dalliance. In an egalitarian world, we need reps, not walruses
It’s in the Declaration of Independence, but for some unknown reason this country has been drifting away from it’s meaning. I’m sure it’s because of the 1% and corporate greed. I’m surprised that Osama hasn’t tried to change the Declaration of Independence to suit his muslim agenda.
Brent Trout was a excellent administrator before the mayor got to him. He is so much more intelligent than Eric it can’t even be measured. I am very pleased to hear he is no longer a Bookie croney. Bookie should be run out of town on a rail. He is not qualified to even be a carry out boy at HyVee.
Pretty much spot-on right here. Eric wrecked Mr. Trout by confusing and bullying him. Eric usurped the council and made Mr. Trout afraid for his job, thereby tricking him into doing his rotten bidding. The council could easily put Eric into a hole where he belongs by simply being the city council it is supposed to be and relegating Eric to the meeting-runner he is supposed to be. I call for Mr. Kuhn, Mr. Lee, Mr. Schickel, and Mr. Hickey to do this immediately. Forget Solberg she was lobotomized years ago.
You are exactly right. Many people have bad mouthed Trout for not doing his job, when they really didn’t see the big picture. I’ll say it again, eliminate the mayor position, and crookmeyer.
Right. I don’t think Mr. Trout is the problem. He only became one while he blindly did as Eric instructed. He is good at his job, and without Eric meddling, could be an effective CA. I told Alex Khun this morning on the phone, to please, along with the other 3 competent city councilmen, take back the governance of this city and put Eric where he belongs as the tiny clock boy. Hopefully, that will be a moot point in two years when Eric loses re-election, which my crystal ball says is imminent.
I totally agree with your comments. Get rid of Bookie and let Trout and the council run it.
Brent is a very effective city administrator, particularly when he is not carrying the water bucket for Eric. I knew of his work personally in another time, in a community south west of here and he is up to the task of turning MC around. The problem however is politics, both with city hall and beyond…………. and you don’t get any job done without kissing ass and playing the game.
Great article.
Rumour’s won’t change people’s minds about good or bad.. You need proof which has been none.
Nice analysis, but you seem to think the people of Mason City care…even if everything you write is true. Politics in north Iowa isn’t about truth or logic– it’s about apathy and acceptance…similar to accepting the clergy of a church. Whoever was slick enough to get behind the altar tends to enjoy that position for decades to come. Ur problem is you’re too smart for the community. Genetically it’s impossible to raise intelligence in a generation.
I’d agree with this. This is how Eric got to be mayor in the first place. No one cares. If they did, Eric would be be selling used cars on the corner, which he was genetically made to do. Instead, his other DNA kicked in which makes him a leech.
And a leech too, his inabilities never cease to amaze me, ouch.
Well well the secrets just pile up don’t they. I have a few that would shake up a few homes and the way they live. BUT I will save em for that glorious rainy day. Ya’ll better think twice about what you are doing. I’m watching and all knowing. Exciting isn’t it you bad boys…
I hope this never happens. Bookmeyer does not have the education, knowledge, or even enough common sense to be our city administrator. I honestly think with Trout as our city administrator, we don’t even need Bookie as our mayor. Plenty of communities get along fine without a mayor, and just a city council and an administrator. If Bookie needs to get a job, he can apply at Hyvee as the boy who puts the groceries in shoppers cars. That’s about all he is worth.
Let Mr. Kuhn run the meetings and send Eric home. Mason City does not need Eric. He has been a cancer, somewhat like a virus, since he got to town. Like a leech on steroids he might say.
Speaking of secrets… I have a list of everyone from MC who paid to have affairs on the Ashley Madison website. Do you think that would interest your readers Matt?