MASON CITY – Mayor Eric Bookmeyer is looking to appoint another one of his campaign donors to the Airport Commission.
The five-member commission operates the Mason City Municipal Airport by advising the Airport Manager and approving and controlling operations. Terms are six years and expire on November 1st.
At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Bookmeyer is recommending Bob Vandenbosch to the Airport Commission.
On his application form, Mr. Vandenbosch says he “would be able to contribute in a meaningful way based on experience” he has as a pilot. He also worked for former councilwoman/mayor/Bookmeyer crony Jean Marinos as a realtor for a number of years.
Vandenbosch would be replacing newly-elected councilman and Bookmeyer protege / campaign contributor Brett Schoneman, who sources tell NIT is highly excited about Bookmeyer’s pursuit of a potential slaughterhouse locating in town. Vandenbosch contributed to Bookmeyer’s 2013 campaign for mayor, as did Schoneman ($200.00) and current board members Gary Wattnem ($200.00) and Marti Rodamaker ($500.00). In an interview, Schoneman told NIT he is not a pilot and has no experience with airplanes, but his expertise in the real estate business qualified him for the board.
If Vandenbosch is approved, Schoneman would step down from the commission immediately. This would be his second abrupt resignation from a local board. Last November, Schoneman resigned from the North Iowa Corridor board of directors after serving only several weeks.
4 thoughts on “Bookmeyer looks to appoint another campaign contributor to Airport Board”
This B.S. is so full of it. He puts on a great ‘act’ like he’s in the elete business group in town…he’s an a_ _.
How about Damon Dornbier, he’s a pilot AND an established MC business person.. it continues to be the BUDDY-SYSTEM appointments in this town…hence our problems.
BS is full of just that BS. Not even from MC.
Bob Van Den Bosch would be an excellent person for the airport board. He has been around airplanes all his life. His mother was a licensed commercial pilot and his father was also a licensed pilot who worked for Winnebago years ago and flew their plane. Bob was a commercial airline pilot for a number of years. He is a good, common sense person. I cannot think of a more qualified local person for the airport board.