from: Matt Marquardt <northiowatoday@gmail.com>
to: schonemanwardthree@masoncity.net,
Council Member Alex Kuhn <atlargea@masoncity.net>,
Council Member Bill Schickel <schickelatlarge@masoncity.net>,
mayor@masoncity.net,
John Skipper <John.Skipper@globegazette.com>,
David.Mayberry@globegazette.com,
lrood@dmreg.com,
mary.junck@lee.net
date: Thu, Feb 25, 2016 at 4:45 PM
subject: Two questions regarding media coverage
Mr. Schoneman, I recently published a story in NorthIowaToday.com about your vote to approve your own tax break on your condos, worth over $43,000 to you. Although I have no doubt you read the story, here is a link to it:
Mason City councilman Schoneman approves $43,000 tax break for his condos
Do you feel this story was mis-leading? Why don’t you explain your opinion.
I did notice John Skipper’s apparent rebuttal story he published today in the Globe Gazette; it is quite amusing, just as he is. I attached a screenshot of the story on their website, taken from my computer. I am certain you read the story, since you are quoted in it. I notice your advertisement for your business, perched above the story. Perhaps you notice it, too. Can you explain how your advertising contract with the Globe Gazette may or may not have impacted the story they published about your vote on your lucrative tax break?
Looking forward to your reply.
Matt Marquardt
NorthIowaToday.com Publisher
Did your ad contract with the Barlas family grease the wheels for your silence throughout the events surrounding the murder?
It is totally irrelevant. Matt is not a public servant making decisions to benefit himself with our tax dollars. Matt is running a private enterprise with no benefit from our tax dollars.
That was story was properly reported. My photog’s were on the scene that night getting photos for a breaking news story. The outcome was reported. What more did you want?
Conflict of interest definitions typically specify that a legislator may not have a personal or private interest or gain in a financial way by votes in their legislative duties. City Council members are in similar positions to legislator’s and should choose the ethical pathway when votes come up in which they would benefit financially. Brent Schoneman could have shown integrity and respect for the people he serves by not voting on the tax abatement issue. It would have been the right thing to do.
Brett, see the above comment; Carol wrote it better than I can. Stop letting the mayor dominate your career now, he will only get you in trouble and bring more shame upon you.
No more give aways until we reduce public servant wages and benefits – Fk your Mafia TIF payoffs. Crooked is as crooked does or as Hillery Clintons said – I TRY NOT TO LIE! What a joke all forms of government have become and dishonesty is an everyday norm.
Did Councilman Schoneman abstain from voting on this issue? He clearly had a financial stake here and should have.
I feel that the Globe Gazette’s information was accurate and void of the repetitive jabs that littered your post. Regarding the ad, Dave Guetzko entirely pays for that ad, not Schoneman Realtors, so the tie is coincidental. John Skipper called me on my phone and I spoke with him. When we were sitting in the library I told you that you could call me anytime. We had a nice talk about how long we’ve known each other and I told you that you could contact me about anything and you agreed. You have never called and you have never emailed. Any citizen can contact me, Matt. I don’t understand your intentions for making an issue of this and I wish you’d follow through and be more direct instead of these passive, slanted rants.
(grabs some popcorn awaiting the “NIT Publisher’s” response)
Ran out of popcorn waiting & waiting the NIT publisher’s direct response to Brett.
Seems he had time to respond through Carol’s comment, but not directly to Brett.
Interesting, since the NIT Publisher’s many diatribes on direct communication & commentary seems to have been lost.
While I agree that Mr. Schoneman should have abstained from that vote, I will believe for now that it was a “rookie mistake”.
Mr. Schoneman, learn well from this, you have to choose which path to travel.
Proof right here that the Council and Mayor read your site Matt, as if you didn’t know. Brett, you should not have had a vote in this matter. Bottom line. It appears evil, and as a man of faith it should have been avoided. Now, take your savings in this manner and go and help the poor, donate it to a Christian cause or something. You have enough money.
Matt, e-mailed him told him about the story, so not shocking he would come and read it.
Brett, why didn’t you abstain from this vote? I really see it as a conflict of interest and you should have at least seen how it would look.
If his vote was a difference maker I might care.
I think Matt should contact someone at the Iowa League of Cities and ask them if they feel Schoneman’s vote was improper, unethical, a conflict of interest or just plain stupid.
I doubt that any of the Mason City Council attends any of the League of City’s workshops. They seem to “know it all” whenever there’s an issue. Common sense would have been to abstain from voting, but since when did common sense have anything to do with it? This is something else, like a lot of things, that just “looks bad” even though he was probably within his rights to vote “Aye.”
Back in the day, John Skipper was a pretty good journalist & reporter.
Sadly in his waning days, Skipper has become a boot-licking, butt-kissing sycophant to whoever has some power or money.
Sad, very sad indeed.
Interesting question. Let’s see if you get a answer. I am willing to bet you do not.