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Chicago where the criminal has more rights then the lawful.
There’s no damn way I’d live in that rat hole Chicago and not be packing. Heck, for what little time, if any, that perps get for using a gun in a crime? I’d take my chances on ending some half-wit thug wannabe that tried to take what’s mine.
MAYBE because BIDEN WON’T…We Patriotic Americans should Close OUR Southern Border OURSELVES? By ANY Means Necessary!
America Slowly Gave UP it’s Parental Rights….Years Ago. America got LAZY & has ALLOWED the Education System to Raise Our Children. That’s the ONLY Way it happened; this didn’t just happen overnight.
BIDEN..The American People KNOW We had Energy Independence Until YOU, We didn’t have Inflation Until YOU. We didn’t have High Food Prices Until YOU, We Weren’t Buying Russian OIL Until YOU, Ukraine wasn’t in a WAR Until YOU, W
SO Lynching is NOW a Hate Crime, So Glad the Biden Admin is Concentrating On ALL the REAL Problems America has. Is this Because of what happened to Smollett? As a White Man & IF I Hang a White Man is that STILL A Hate Crime? WHY isn’t Shooting Someone?
WHOM Among Us hasn’t wanted to GO Will Smith On EVERY POS Woke Democrat the Entire Biden Family & Toss in Harris?
All this tough talk on a Sunday morning. Where is Jesus in your life?
Can you just imagine how Trump would be to blame for the war and everything else if he were in power
He did enable Putin, befriended him, and tried to wreck NATO. So yes, Trump has blame in this Ukraine murder and devastation.
Obama doesn’t even feel the need to be ‘the man behind the curtain’ anymore. That says a lot about the Democratic Party, doesn’t it?
Mason City Room April 5, 2022
Mason City, Iowa 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of the City of Mason City, Iowa, met in regular session pursuant to law and rules of said Council, in the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library, at 7:00 P.M., on April 5, 2022. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor and on roll being called there were present, Bill Schickel, Mayor in the Chair, and the following Council Members: Thoma, Jaszewski, Masson, Adams, Symonds, Lee. Absent: None.
Adopt Agenda: Motion, Lee; 2nd, Thoma that the agenda be adopted. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
1. The Mayor proclaimed April 2 – 8, 2022, as the Week of the Young Child.
Prior to adopting the Consent Agenda Items #17 was removed to be acted upon separately.
Consent Agenda: Regular Minutes of March 15, 2022; Claims dated March 17, 24 and 31, 2022 in the amount of $1,551,520.60; Fareway – Class E Liquor License, Class B Wine, Class C Beer; Vallarta’s Mex Grill – Class C Liquor; Appoint/Hire Dylan Hall as Recreation Programmer – Aquatics & Activities at Grade J Step 1 ($26.34); Authorization for Audit Request for Proposals for Fiscal Years June 30, 2022 – June 30, 2026; Resolution No. 22-61, award of contract to Heartland Asphalt of Mason City, Iowa to complete repairs to the Kiwanis Park and NIACC Walking Trails; Resolution No. 22-62, approving the contract and bond for the construction of the “Water Tower Maintenance Program (Kentucky and Eisenhower)”; Resolution No. 22-63, authorizing a contract Amendment #5 tot eh Water Tower Equipment Location Lease (Eisenhower Tower) with Alltel Corporation d/b/a Verizon Wireless to provide for a temporary relocation of tenant’s equipment on the water tower and delete the rent escalator; Resolution No. 22-64, award of contract to WHKS & Co. for professional services related to the 2022 Multi-Bridge Repair Project; Resolution No. 22-65, dedicating South Monroe Avenue, South of 43rd Street Southwest as public right-of-way; Resolution No. 22-66, approving final plat for “Sutcliffe Second Subdivision”; Resolution No. 22-67, approving final plat for “Asbury Farm Eleventh Subdivision”; Resolution No. 22-68, authorizing approval of a forgivable loan to Lexako, LLCfor the rehabilitation of 30 East State Street in conjunction with the Downtown Revitalization Loan Program; Resolution No. 22-69, authorizing approval of a forgivable loan to Les and Joann Ermer-Seltun for the rehabilitation for 524 North Federal Avenue in conjunction with the Downtown Revitalization Loan Program; Resolution No. 22-70, authorizing the Mason City City Administrator to work with the City Administrator of Clear Lake and the Chief Administrative Officer of Cerro Gordo County to negotiate a contract with RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines, Iowa to complete the North Iowa Corridor Joint Comprehensive Plan, was presented. Authorizing the Mayor to sign a conflict waiver with Ahlers and Cooney. Motion, Masson; 2nd, Symonds that all items in the Consent Agenda be approved and Resolutions adopted. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
17. Award Contract to WHKS for Mohawk Square Structural & Repair Cost Analysis: Motion, Adams; 2nd, Jaszewski that Resolution No. 22-71, award of contact to WHKS & Co. for professional services to Conduct a Structural and Repair Cost Analysis of Mohawk Square, 22 North Georgia Avenue be adopted. Discussion followed regarding the process, whether damage was more widespread to the rest of the roof, percentage of the roof that had collapsed, etc. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
“IATR Grade Crossing Reconstruction – 19th Street SW Project”: The Public Hearing was held as per published notice. Mayor Schickel asked if there were any written comments or objections or anyone on Zoom that would like to comment with Burnett replying there were no written comments and no “raised hands” via Zoom. There being no comments the Public Hearing was declared closed. Motion, Thoma; 2nd, Jaszewski that Resolution No. 22-72, adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the “IATR Grade Crossing Reconstruction – 19th Street SW Project No. 21-1009”, and 22-73, making award of contract Heartland Asphalt of Mason City, Iowa, be adopted and the bid tabulation with recommended bid from Heartland Asphalt of Mason City, Iowa, in the amount of $239,411.63 accepted. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
“2022 Pavement Marking Program Project No. 22-1003”: The Public Hearing was held as per published notice. Mayor Schickel asked if there were any written comments or objections or anyone on Zoom that would like to comment with Burnett replying there were no written comments and no “raised hands” via Zoom. There being no comments the Public Hearing was declared closed. Motion, Jaszewski; 2nd, Adams that Resolution No. 22-74 adopting plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the “2022 Pavement Marking Program Project No. 22-1003”and 22-75, making award of contract Weikert Contracting, Inc. of Cedar Falls, Iowa be adopted and the bid tabulation with recommended bid from Weikert Contracting Inc., of Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the amount of $178,058.56 be accepted. Discussion followed regarding whether this was a new contractor and what time of the day the work would be done. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
Vacate Certain Utility Easements in Asbury Farms Tenth Subdivision: The Public Hearing was held as per published notice. Mayor Schickel asked if there were any written comments or objections or anyone on Zoom that would like to comment with Burnett replying there were no written comments and no “raised hands” via Zoom. One comment was noted. There being no further comments the Public Hearing was declared closed. Motion, Adams; 2nd, Thoma that Resolution No. 22-76, authorizing vacation of certain public utility easements located in Asbury Farms Tenth Subdivision, be adopted. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
21. Authorize Conveyance of Public Property Located at 1422 N Hampshire Place: The Public Hearing was held as per published notice. Mayor Schickel asked if there were any written comments or objections or anyone on Zoom that would like to comment with Burnett replying there were no written comments and no “raised hands” via Zoom. There being no further comments the Public Hearing was declared closed. Motion, Jaszewski; 2nd, Symonds that Resolution No. 22-77, authorizing conveyance of public property located at 1422 North Hampshire Place to adjacent property owners, be adopted. Comments followed regarding tax revenue. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
22. Approve Amendment to DA with SBMC, LLC and all Corresponding Documents:
The Public Hearing was held as per published notice. Mayor Schickel asked if there were any written comments or objections or anyone on Zoom that would like to comment with Burnett replying there were no written comments and no “raised hands” via Zoom. There being no comments the Public Hearing was declared closed. Presentation by Johnson and Rachie was provided. Motion, Lee; 2nd, Adams that Resolution No. 22-78, (i) ratifying, confirming and approving publication of notice of public hearing on a proposed First Amendment to the Agreement for Private Development by and between the City of Mason City and SBMC, LLC; (ii) approving and authorizing execution of said First Amendment and a related Guaranty for $3,900,000; and (iii) approving and authorizing execution of a related Rent Escrow Agreement, and ratifying transfer of funds pursuant to said Rent Escrow Agreement, be adopted. Discussing followed regarding what would be in the mall (entertainment, restaurants, etc.), Clear Lake Bank’s involvement, the name, estimate of the number of jobs, loan approval, etc. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
5 Year Utility Rate Plan Ordinance Changes: Motion, Adams; 2nd, Jaszewski that the Ordinance Ordinance amending the City Code by repealing Title 6, Chapter 1 “Public Utilities”, Article A. Water Rates, Section 1, Rates and Charges Established, Subsections A and B (1) in their entirety, and adopting new subsections A and B (1) in lieu thereof, be received and placed on file for Second Consideration. AYES: All (Motion carried.) Motion, Jaszewski; 2nd, Thoma that the Ordinance amending the City Code by repealing Title 6, Chapter 2: “Sanitary Sewers”, Article A: “Sewer Rates”, Section 3: “Schedule of Rates”, Subsection A and B. and adopting a new subsection A and B in lieu thereof, be received and placed on file for Second Consideration. AYES: All (Motion carried.) Motion, Symonds; 2nd, Jaszewski that the Ordinance amending the City Code by repealing Title 4, Chapter 2: “Garbage, Refuse, Recyclables and Yard Waste”, Article C: “Solid Wastes”, Subsection 12: “Charges”, and adopting a new Subsection 12 in lieu thereof, be received and placed on file for Second Consideration. AYES: All (Motion carried.) Motion, Thoma; 2nd, Adams that the Ordinance amending the City Code, by repealing Title 6, Chapter 3: “Storm Sewers”, Article A: “Stormwater Utility Policy” and adopting a new Article A in lieu thereof, be received and placed on file for Second Consideration. AYES: All (Motion carried.)
Adjourn: The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
/s/Bill Schickel
Bill Schickel, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/Aaron Burnett
Aaron Burnett, City Clerk
Emailed 4-7-22
Publish 4-13-22
Treat women with respect! All you single men this is why you can’t even GET yourself a woman. Pathetic.
You’d know you married one unless you’re lying
maybe transgender
Respect is a two way street
Instead of arguing with her using logic,
• Tickle her
• Kiss her on the forehead
• Pick her up, swing her around
• Change the topic to what you want to talk about.
She is like a child. If it’s she.
does brad wilier ever get convicted for anything? he’s been picked up numerous times for alcohol related charges, and it’s always the 1st offense.
you should ask his lawyer.
According to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, who appeared on ABC’s “Nightline” on Tuesday, it’s Red China that’s shipping masses of drugs and chemicals to the Mexican drug cartels.
Fentanyl overdoses become No. 1 cause of death among US adults between the ages of 18 and 45.
MCHS Postponements and Cancellations For April 7, 2022:
Boys Soccer vs. Gilbert has been postponed. They will make up the Varsity match tomorrow AT Gilbert at 5:30pm.
Girls Soccer @ Hudson has been cancelled.
Boys Tennis @ Ankeny has been postponed. They will make up this match on May 5th @ Ankeny.
Girls Tennis vs Ankeny has been postponed. They will make up this match on April 18th @ Mason City High School.
BTrack @ Marshalltown has been cancelled.
GTrack @ Decorah has been cancelled.
Hunter Biden got 32 million from his China dealings…..let the druggie pay for his own security…..better yet, lock him in jail where he belongs…he’ll be secure.
And a lot cheaper for the tax payers…he would be hoarse from yelling l am not suicidal, like his buddy Jussie
It’s Mr. Smollett, or something like that. He commands your respect.
????
You bow to him, l will not
This preplanned farce is just another in a Growing long list of hoaxes created, planned by the democrats and willing to guess that Princess Pelosi was behind it all. Why else have the FBI not allowed over 14,000 hours of surveillance videos to be seen, what are they hiding, what are they possibly trying to cover up ? We need divine intervention to stop all this corruption and evil.
Its disgraceful what they are and have been doing to the people they put in jail. Why can’t somebody do something? The Pelosi gang is breaking the laws and nothing is done or “said” to them. It’s another Russia, Russia, fiasco.
I smell wrongful imprisonment lawsuits coming.
I smell a bot.
pull your head out of your ass!!!
AOC is just a petulant child trying to appease the other petulant children. Canceling student loans is completely moronic. Cancel the medical bills of cancer patients if you really want to do something honorable. If you’re going to cancel student loans, then cancel mortgage loans, car loans, business loans or any loan that someone agreed to pay back.
Pay for your own loans. You signed for them, they are your responsibility. AOC needs to be primaried out.
Why don’t we just cancel out all debt and let everyone in America have a fresh and equal start? The only thing that would prove after a year is there is no way to make everyone equal!
And would have to do it all over again in a few years
The White House confirmed Wednesday that illegal immigrants are being provided with electronic devices, notably cell phones, in an effort for the Biden administration to “track” and “check in” with them as they await immigration court proceedings.
Good idea
Dumb Ass!
Don’t forget all the other demowit houses that favor open borders
Drop off a bus load of ILLEGALS on their front door steps too
Then from here on out everytime a bus is filled drop them off in a sanctuary city.
Iowa finishes in last place among US states in economic growth. Way to go Kim! You have us leading the pack.
Cite your source.
https://www.bea.gov/news/2022/gross-domestic-product-state-4th-quarter-2021-and-year-2021-preliminary?fbclid=IwAR2UzplzkPLeygXifLyMacSZzIJ5OtWllPeoJnFgPnf_TQIeEeXBTurJZMs
Gonna move or help to improve it?
Just by existing I help improve it. But I will probably also move as are most of the intelligent people.
You omitted the part which put Iowa at 12th best in GDP growth from 2018-2021.
My I suggest that you move to Kalifornia.
Kovid Kim is using all our moneyfor her booze! #voteherout
You are STOOPID! You better move to Goofyfornia
I am going to wait until I see your obit in the paper before I move. Pissing on your grave is worth the wait.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Kalan of the State Department’s Russian-Language Telegram Channel
04/06/2022 02:33 PM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Brussels, Belgium
The Hotel
QUESTION: Thank you, Secretary Blinken, for joining us today to take questions for our USApoRusski Telegram channel followers. Let’s go straight to the questions.
Our first question comes from Ekaterina Kotrikadze, an independent Russian journalist with TV Dozhd. She asks: “President Zelenskyy gave a speech at the UN Security Council and he was tough. He accused the organization of meaninglessness and weakness. He’s got a point. What is the mission of a Security Council which cannot actually provide security? He thinks it’s time to exclude Russia. Would you agree with Zelenskyy, and is it possible to reform the UN Security Council in the near future?”
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, President Zelenskyy is right that there is a problem with the Security Council. There is a fundamental problem when one of its permanent members, whose number-one responsibility is to maintain international peace and security, is the very country that is grossly violating international peace and security with its aggression on Ukraine, and that’s Russia. So there’s a pretty fundamental problem there.
At the same time, I think what we’re seeing is the United Nations as a whole coming together powerfully in support of Ukraine and against the Russian aggression, 141 countries having their vote counted and their voice heard in that. So I think the UN itself is stepping up, also at the Human Rights Council where a Commission of Inquiry has been created to investigate the abuses being committed by Russia and Ukraine. But the Security Council itself does have a problem that is a real challenge, and unless and until Russia acts as a responsible member of that council, the problem will remain.
QUESTION: Thank you. And our next question comes from Vitaliy Sizov from UATV. Vitaliy asks: “Is the U.S. ready to be a guarantor of security in Ukraine in the event a peace agreement is reached with Russia?”
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we’re in constant contact with our Ukrainian partners at all levels talking about, among other things, whether – if there is a negotiated solution, outcome, what can be done to help ensure that this doesn’t happen again, that Ukraine is able to defend itself going forward, that it can deter future Russian aggression. And I’m not going to get into the details of what that might involve, but a number of countries are talking to Ukraine about exactly that.
And we want to make sure that to the best of our ability, once this Russian aggression is over and Ukraine fully asserts its sovereignty and independence, that this can’t be repeated.
QUESTION: Our next question is from Iurii Sheiko from Deutsche Welle: “Yesterday you announced additional security assistance for Ukraine of $100 million. You said it would contain anti-armor systems. Ukraine has already received a lot of anti-tank weapons while the main danger to its cities like Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and many others is posed not by tanks or other armored vehicles, but by aircraft, artillery, and missiles. Does the U.S. intend to provide or support providing systems to defend from those types of weapons, namely bigger air defense capabilities, artillery installations, or jets?”
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we and many other countries around the world, especially in Europe, have been providing over many months not only anti-armor systems to deal with the tanks, but anti-air systems to deal with helicopters and airplanes. And the Ukrainians, because of their extraordinary courage, have been incredibly effective in using these systems to push back Russian aggression. Russia didn’t leave Kyiv or the outskirts of Kyiv by its own free will; it was pushed out and pushed back by Ukrainians and they were using many of the systems we provided them.
What we’re focused on is making sure that we get to Ukraine the systems that they can use now and use effectively. At the same time, we’re looking at other systems – some of them larger, more sophisticated – that may be useful and important going forward, but where, for example, Ukrainians need to be trained, because some of these systems you can’t just turn them over and have them be used immediately. Training is required; maintenance is required.
So what we focused on is what can Ukrainians use immediately and use effectively, but we’re also looking at over the longer term what could they use with the right training, with the right support, with the right maintenance. All of that we’re working on right now.
QUESTION: Okay. And our final question comes from Current Time TV: “Most Russians are kept in the dark about the war in Ukraine. No independent media outlets remain inside Russia. Many Kremlin critics have been forced to leave the country and opinion polls show broad support for the so-called special military operation, prompting accusations of Russian society’s collective responsibility for the war. Current Time’s own vox pops show that many Russians are unaware or supportive of their army’s actions in Ukraine. What message do you have for the Russian public in this context?”
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I wish I could effectively deliver a message to the Russian public. The fact of the matter is I can’t speak on Russian television. Most social media is blocked, or I would be blocked from speaking to it. And so Russians are being fed morning, noon, and night a steady diet of propaganda that doesn’t reflect the facts, that doesn’t reflect the truth, that doesn’t allow them to make their own judgements. Because we can all come to our own judgments and our own conclusions, and they may be different as long as we have the facts upon which to make those judgments. Unfortunately, tragically, the Russian people aren’t getting them.
But if I was able to speak to the Russian people and thought they could hear me, I guess the question I would ask is: How is this war, how is this aggression being committed by Russia on Ukraine – how is it doing anything to make a difference in your lives? How is it answering any of the needs that you have, the same needs that Americans and Europeans and Ukrainians and people all over the world have, which is to send your kids to school, to put food on the table, to save some money, to build a better future? How does it help? How does it do anything to address those needs that are shared around the world?
And I guess I’d say as well that President Biden, when – before this aggression against Ukraine said to President Putin repeatedly that the strong preference of the United States is to have a more stable, predictable relationship with Russia. How does attacking a country unprovoked and in a pre-planned way do anything to build that kind of stability and predictability? We have so many big things that we can and should be working on as countries: dealing with COVID-19, recovering economically, answering the existential challenge posed by climate change. These are things that affect Americans and Russians and people all over the world. That’s what we should be spending our time on.
But tragically, because, without reason, Vladimir Putin decided to attack Ukraine, the world is now focused on this. And it’s the entire world; it’s not just the United States. Countries have come together from across the planet, 141 at the United Nations, standing up and rejecting this Russian aggression, supporting the Ukrainian people. So I wish the Russian people could get that message because this is not about them. This is tragically about a choice that Vladimir Putin has made, a choice that does nothing to advance the lives of Russians, and unfortunately, tragically, is doing everything to destroy the lives of Ukrainians.
President Biden:
Today, my Administration is extending the pause on federal student loan repayments through August 31st, 2022.
Giving them more time to figure out how they’re going to tax the hard working Americans to pay for the elimination of the student loan debt.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrea Mitchell of NBC
04/06/2022 11:47 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Brussels, Belgium
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, thank you so much for being with us. I wanted to ask you about what is going on right now. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs had told Congress that this will likely last years, this war. A protracted war is going to last years, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Will today’s new commitment of Javelins, anti-tank weapons to Ukraine shorten that timeline?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Andrea, we want to see this come to an end as quickly as possible, and that’s exactly why we’re making sure that we’re doing everything we can to support Ukraine and to give them the assistance that they need to put pressure and to increase pressure on Russia, even as we’re strengthening our – the defenses of our NATO Alliance.
QUESTION: So what about the Javelins?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So the Javelins, we just did – the President authorized another $100 million in a drawdown that will provide more Javelins to our Ukrainian partners. Put this in perspective: Between the United States and other allies and partners, for every Russian tank in Ukraine, we have provided or will soon provide 10 anti-tank systems – 10 for every single Russian tank. So in terms of what they need to act quickly and act effectively, to deal with the planes that are firing at them from the skies, the tanks that are trying to destroy their cities from the ground, they have the tools that they need, they’re going to keep getting them, and we’re going to keep sustaining that.
But to the chairman’s point, and the President said this as well, as much as we want to see this come to an end as soon as possible to stop the death and destruction that’s being wrought by Russia in Ukraine, there is also a very likely scenario by which this goes on for some time. The Russians, even as they’re moving their forces, they’ve retreated from Kyiv, they’ve retreated from the north and the west, they’re consolidating forces in the east, in the Donbas. They have a lot of force still left. The Ukrainians have something else that’s ultimately stronger, and that is a fierce determination and will to defend their country with the support of many countries around the world.
QUESTION: Can they win?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So ultimately, yes, because what is success, what is victory? It’s holding on to the sovereignty and independence of their country. And there is no scenario by which over time that will not happen. The problem is it may take time, and in the meantime, tremendous death and destruction. But what is so powerful here is that the Ukrainians have made it very clear that they will not subjugate themselves to Vladimir Putin’s will.
QUESTION: But no matter how much we give them, how can Ukraine ever last against Russia for the long term unless the U.S. and other countries guarantee its borders, its safety, as President Zelenskyy wants?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, first things first. The first thing is to see that this aggression by Russia comes to an end, that there is a ceasefire, that Russia withdraws its forces, that Ukraine asserts its sovereignty and its independence. But then, yes, we have to do things to make sure that, to the best of our ability and Ukraine’s ability, this can’t happen again, that Russia is deterred, that Ukraine is defended. We’re having constant conversations with —
QUESTION: Will we guarantee that?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So we’re having —
QUESTION: Will the U.S. get more involved?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We’re having constant conversations with our Ukrainian partners pretty much on a daily basis, including about what it is we and others could do in the event of a successful negotiation to defend them and help them defend themselves going forward. All of this is the subject of conversations right now. I’m not going to get ahead of that, but we’re going to do everything we can, others will do what they can to make sure that Ukraine can defend itself and deter aggression being repeated by Russia.
QUESTION: President Putin has said he wants to recreate the Soviet Union, the glory of the Soviet Union. With those ambitions, how can Ukraine ever be safe as long as Putin’s in power?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, two things: First, in terms of what Russia set out to do, what Putin set out to do in Ukraine, this has already been a strategic setback, if not a failure. Because keep in mind, Andrea, the goal that Putin set in his own words was to eliminate Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. He sees it as a state that doesn’t deserve to be independent, that needs to be subsumed back into some kind of greater Russia. That is not happening, not just the retreat from Kyiv but the fact that no matter how you play this out the Ukrainians are not going to subject themselves to a Russian dictatorship.
QUESTION: He’s more popular than ever at home.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So he may be for now more popular. Of course, if you were getting fed a steady diet, morning, noon, and night of propaganda, which unfortunately the Russian people are, that speaks to what popularity he has. At the same time, when people are responding to polls, they may be very much afraid of giving the truthful answer. There’s now a 15-year criminal penalty for anyone who in any way opposes the so-called special military operation. So you have to take that with a grain of salt.
Having said that, I think there is a real fundamental problem, which is the Russians don’t get the factual information that they need to make judgments for themselves, and that’s because of a system that Vladimir Putin has perfected in which that information is denied them.
QUESTION: President Biden has called Putin a butcher, a war criminal. You have said that the people responsible for the crimes in Bucha and those who ordered them will be held accountable.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: That’s right.
QUESTION: How can that happen without Vladimir Putin standing trial?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: First, Andrea, the wheels of accountability can move slowly, but they move, and someday, someway, somewhere, those who committed these crimes and those who ordered the crimes will be held accountable. But it takes time, and part of this is building the case, part of this is – which we’re doing and others are doing. Part – there’s a Ukrainian special prosecutor who is working on this. We’re supporting her efforts. We set up at the United Nations at the Human Rights Council a Commission of Inquiry that’s looking into this as well. We’re supporting those efforts, building the case, getting the evidence, documenting it. The International Criminal Court is looking at this too.
But all of this will play out over time, and we have to build the case, we have to get the evidence, we have to document it – we’re doing all of that. So is that next month, next year, in five years? It could take time, but I think – I can guarantee you there will be a relentless effort to make sure that those responsible for what we’re seeing are held accountable. And what we’re seeing, Andrea, is I think beyond what any of us even could fully anticipate. We said before Russia committed this aggression that there would be atrocities, that it was a deliberate part of their campaign. And even knowing that, when this Russian tide receded from Bucha and we saw the death and destruction left in its wake, and we saw what that looked like, including people who had been assassinated – and in fact, their hands tied – executed, their hands tied behind their backs – the abuse committed against women, against children, it’s horrific. And there has to be accountability for it.
QUESTION: Did you see the video that President Zelenskyy provided to the United Nations, or other images from Bucha? As you describe it, the atrocities, you have small children. What do you tell your children? What would you tell them?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, thankfully, they’re too small to actually see that, be able to digest it and to understand it.
QUESTION: But some day, they’ll – they will —
SECRETARY BLINKEN: But some day they will. And I have to tell you, Andrea, I think – and I suspect most of us have the same reaction, especially those of who have children or even small children – you put yourself in the shoes of the father, the mother, the grandfather, the grandmother who’s in the middle of this, who is suffering this, whose kids’ lives are at stake or in jeopardy, or who have been lost. And it hits you – I said the other day, seeing these images from Bucha was like a punch to the gut. It takes the wind out of you. You can know something intellectually, but then when you see these images and you translate that into your own life, when you ask yourself, “What if this was happening in my town, to my kids? To my family?” I think it only reinforces our determination to do everything we can to support the Ukrainians, to put pressure on Russia, to bring this to an end as quickly as possible.
QUESTION: Your UN ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described these atrocities and compared it by extension to the Holocaust. Talked about what the council in Mariupol had described, people forcibly – tens of thousands – taken from their homes, taken to Russia and put in camps. Isn’t that the very definition of genocide?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, we have to get all of the information, all of the evidence. We have to, as I said, document everything that’s happened, fully understand what’s happened. It’s an interesting irony in a sense. This is in some ways the most documented war in real time that we’ve experienced because of technology, because of smart phones, because of the incredible courage of reporters who remained in Ukraine. But even so, the things that we’re not seeing in real time, including Bucha – and it’s only when that tide recedes that you see what’s actually happened.
So I think we’re going to learn a lot more in the days and weeks ahead. I’m afraid that what we’re going to learn is even more horrifying.
QUESTION: Do we know anything about what’s happening in these Russian camps with Ukrainians, and do we have any hope of getting them back?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: We don’t have good information on that, but certainly we’re doing everything we can. Other countries are doing everything they can to make sure that anyone who is being detained is released.
QUESTION: The U.S. has promised to take in 100,000 of these millions of refugees. Europe has opened their doors, put them in their homes.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: They have.
QUESTION: NBC has reported on at least two women, two Ukrainian women on the southern border, who were taken and for two weeks put behind barbed wire and at times shackled in an ICE camp. How can we do that compared to the way Europe is welcoming them?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, I’m not aware of those reports. It’s something I’ll certainly look into. But here’s what’s going on. First, Europeans have been extraordinary in their generosity, in opening their hearts, opening their arms, opening their homes to so many people. Our friends in Poland, in the first instance, have had more than 2 million people come through Poland. Many of the refugees – most of them, in fact – want to stay close to home because what you’re seeing, Andrea – and I know you’ve seen this firsthand – is virtually everyone is a woman and children. Most of the men between 18 and 60 have stayed in Ukraine to fight. They like to stay close at hand. They want to go back, they want to be reunited with their husbands, with their brothers, with their sons. And once they’re in Europe, they also have a lot of freedom of movement and the ability to reunite with other family members there.
Having said that, President Biden made clear that we will welcome 100,000 Ukrainians. We’re ‑‑
QUESTION: Is there a time frame?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So it’s over a period of time. What we’re doing right now is looking at what are the legal pathways that we can do that because there’s the normal refugee program, but that, by definition, takes a long time. It takes a couple years –
QUESTION: Quick question before we lose time: sanctions.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah.
QUESTION: New sanctions, now Europe is putting on new sanctions. China and India keep buying fuel from Russia and fueling this war, helping to fund Putin’s war. Why aren’t we sanctioning China and India?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So in the first instance, Andrea, these sanctions are having a dramatic impact.
QUESTION: But there are big loopholes, and Europe still is buying natural gas and still will for another year.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: There are loopholes that, piece by piece, one by one, we’re trying to close. Sometimes that takes time. But let’s look at what’s already happened. The sanctions cumulatively have put the Russian economy into a deep recession. And what we’re seeing is a likely contraction of the Russian economy by about 15 percent. That is dramatic. We’ve seen something else. We’ve seen an exodus from Russia of virtually every major company in the world. And Putin, in the space of a matter of weeks, has basically shut down Russia to the world. All of the opening, all of the opportunity that took place over the last 30 years is gone. And the Russians will feel that, I’m afraid, in their daily lives. They won’t be able to buy the things they’re used to buying, and they won’t be able to afford to buy what they’d like to buy.
And beyond that, the export controls that we put in place, denying Russia the technology that it needs to modernize critical industries like defense, like energy extraction – over time, those are going to have an even greater impact.
So we’re already seeing a dramatic impact to this. And yes, there are places where different countries are doing different things. We’re working every single day to close that down.
QUESTION: Quick question on Iran before I let you go. You’re talking about Iran here in Brussels. Is Iran’s Revolutionary Guard – which has attacked Americans and our allies – a terrorist organization?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: So, they are. And —
QUESTION: Will they continue to be?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: I’m not going to get into the details of where we are on the negotiations. I would say simply that I’m not overly optimistic at the prospects of actually getting an agreement to conclusion, despite all the efforts we put into it and despite the fact that I believe we would be – our security would be better off. We’re not there. We’ll have to see if we can close —
QUESTION: Is time running out?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: And time is getting extremely short. But this is something that we’ll be talking to our European partners about this afternoon and then over the course of the next day. We’ve been working in very close coordination with the Europeans, with the European Union, with France, with Germany, with the UK.
So we’ll see where we get. I continue to believe it would be in the best interests of our country if we can get back into compliance with the deal, if Iran will do the same. We’re not there.
QUESTION: Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. Thanks for your patience.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thanks, Andrea.
QUESTION: Good to see you.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: You as well. Thanks.
Establishment of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy
04/04/2022 07:33 AM EDT
State Department Office of the Spokesperson
The Department is pleased to announce that the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) began operations today. A key piece of Secretary Blinken’s modernization agenda, the CDP bureau will address the national security challenges, economic opportunities, and implications for U.S. values associated with cyberspace, digital technologies, and digital policy.
The CDP bureau includes three policy units: International Cyberspace Security, International Information and Communications Policy, and Digital Freedom. Ultimately, the bureau will be led by a Senate-confirmed Ambassador-at-Large. Starting today, Jennifer Bachus, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the CDP bureau. PDAS Bachus will serve as Senior Bureau Official until an Ambassador-at-Large is confirmed. Michele Markoff is serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cyberspace Security, Stephen Anderson is serving as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Information and Communications Policy, and Blake Peterson is serving as Acting Digital Freedom Coordinator.
The Department appreciates the service and collaboration of all who will work with and within the CDP bureau in the coming months and years to empower it to achieve its vital mission.
Biden is in China’s pocket. Putin has no respect for Biden. Our armed forces are no linger able to protect us.We are in trouble as a country.
When did you decide to hate America?
We have been in trouble since 2016
We’re really going to be stretched thin when China sides with Russia.
The “New World Order” Joe Biden has been touting for decades, and again celebrated this month, is a dangerous vision of “global governance” in which individual liberty and national sovereignty are eroded.
Already a World economy, everything is interconnected now. Has been for a long time. Turning inward = Democracy in retreat. USA tried that before, it didn’t work.
Biden has never once uttered the words “New World Order.” That phrase was created in the 90s by Trump’s pro-wrestling buddy McMahon.
Biden is FAR Smarter, or Maybe Dr Jill IS in selecting Kamala as VP. THINK Anyone REALLY wants to Impose the 25th Amendment to have a Harris Presidency?
Men are men and women are women. That’s like saying a neutered male dog is now a female and a spayed female is now a male. Just because surgery has been done doesn’t change the original sex of the organism.
Only biological females should be participating in women’s sports!
How sad is it that we even have terms like “biological female” and “biological male”? I want my sane world back!
The Earth is the insane asylum of the universe and it has been for a long, long time.
Keeps getting worse
Plenty of “biological men” aren’t men at all. Like the ones who keep whining about “biological women.”
Critical Race Theory, is the systematic indoctrination of America’s children, and citizens – preaching and exclusively teaching them, to judge people based on the color of their skin, or their inherited ethnic genetics.
What all of us need to realize is that we know about CRT, but they’ll just rename it and try to shame anyone courageous enough to stand up to their bullying remarks.
CRT is something the right goes ballistic over because they want their base to believe it is being taught in our schools. It isn’t.
Ha Ha Ha
Ha ha
These people who have supported open borders, the influx of killing drugs, rebellion and murder in our cities, and have called us all racists. Now, they are deciding who can express an opinion and call anyone who disagrees with them IMMORAL and a Putin puppet?
Is Joe leaving? Replaced by,,,,,,,Hillary, Wait for it, “Kammie” is ill equipped for the job; here we go, Hillary & Kammie. walking hand & hand in the Oval Office in their pants suits, shake me, I’m having an awake nightmare!!!
The bot begins.
Sounds like Schifty talkin about Russia, Russia, Russia
Twelve staffers have jumped ship from the Harris office. Is the kitchen too hot, or is the ship sinking.
It appears that more swamp rats are abandoning the ship of state to escape that fishy smell emanating from the White House.
At least they are quitting rather than going to jail like the last administration’s
How about some news on the Durham investigation, yes, no, maybe, good, bad, or ugly…
The American people need to be reimbursed for the sham Mueller investigation! What a disgrace, It’s the Demonrats who pushed the fake impeachment that need to be removed from office.
We need to be reimbursed from the sham trump presidency. How much money did he cost us?
Not much compared to O’Biden
The yard in Mason city has become a joke. Pitching machines don’t work and haven’t been fixed. Baseballs are junk and if you have a membership you can’t use it because they set up leagues, clinics and the have teams book the facility so it is almost impossible to use. Save your money it is not a very good deal.
Jen Pissaki is leaving the white house, it’s getting too hot in the kitchen.
She is hot!!!! DIBS!
CNN
Biden has canceled $17 billion in student loan debt, without scoring a political win, at the expense of the American taxpayer, who’s already struggling with the high cost of everything.
Believe it was delayed until August….still dumb
Mason City Community School District Board of Education |
4/6/2022, 4:00 PM
Special Session Agenda
Administrative Center Board Room
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IV. PUBLIC HEARING – 2022-2023 CERTIFIED BUDGET — 4:00 P.M.
A. Approval of 2022-2023 Certified Annual BudgetSupporting Docs/Links attached to this item
V. ACTION ITEMS
A. Reduction in Force Provisions of the Employee HandbookSupporting Docs/Links attached to this item
B. 2021-22 Licensed Employee Reduction-in-Force PlanSupporting Docs/Links attached to this item
C. Approval of 2022-2023 Salary Increases for Non-bargained EmployeesSupporting Docs/Links attached to this item
D. Approval of 2022-2023 Salary for Building Administrators and SupervisorsSupporting Docs/Links attached to this item
E. Approval of 2022-2023 Salary for District AdministratorsSupporting Docs/Links attached to this item
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Say it isn’t so, Daily Mail: Kamala Harris goes MASKLESS surrounded by kids continuing to wear them. Do as I say, not as I do….
Due to the impending weather later this afternoon, the following events have been cancelled or postponed for Mason City Schools:
*MCHS GTrack Meet here has been cancelled.
*7th/8th MS GTrack Meet @ North Polk has been cancelled.
*GTennis here vs. Des Moines Hoover has been postponed to May 2nd.
*BTennis @ Des Moines Hoover has been postponed to May 2nd.
*GGolf vs. Ankeny @ Mason City Country Club has been postponed to April 14th.
North Iowa Concert Band to Present Spring Concert:
The North Iowa Area Community College Instrumental Music Department is celebrating 40 years! The North Iowa Concert Band, under the direction of Justin Smiley-Oyen, will present a Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the North Iowa Area Community College campus.
Tickets for the performance are $5 and are available at the NIACC Business Office (641) 422-4188. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the night of the concert.
MASON CITY:
Highland Park Golf Course will be open for season pass holders and daily play guests. Clubhouse will remain open from 8am to last golfer/sunset.