MASON CITY – As a massive, $240 million, 10,000-hogs-processed-per-day pork plant approaches the critical point of approval for Mason City, Iowa House candidate Barb Hovland offered her stance Monday on this major issue.
“It was very disheartening that Representative Steckman could not answer your questions that you asked of her on Saturday regarding her stance on Prestage Farm pork facility proposal,” Mrs. Hovland told NIT Monday morning.
NIT had questioned Mrs. Hovland’s opponent, incumbent Representative Sharon Steckman, Saturday at a public forum, seeking leadership and feedback from her on her position on this monumental junction on North Iowa’s history. Mrs. Steckman said little, other than to direct her constituents to speak to the Mason City council, even though many of these citizens affected (potentially positively or negatively) do not live in Mason City.
Here is Mrs. Hovland’s statement:
UPDATE, 12:23 PM Monday, from Mrs. Hovland on this matter: “I feel this project should be halted until more information has been given to the citizens!”
I love Mason City. Both my husband and I were born here and will likely live the rest of our lives in the town we love.
This is my hometown and I try to be Mason City’s biggest cheerleader.
Mason City and the surrounding area want, deserve and need a strong voice for our interests at the State Capitol in Des Moines. I’m a doer. If there’s a job to do in Cerro Gordo, I’m glad to do it. I don’t care about titles; I care about getting results and making life better.
I’ve spent my life here. I was fortunate to have wonderful grandparents and parents, inspiring teachers like Mrs. Moen. My Dad made the first steel door that came out of Curries where he worked for 43-years. Mom worked at Iowa Kemper Insurance until they left town and that’s the day she retired.
My husband Tom ran NAPA auto parts stores in 3 states, employing over 160 people for 40 years. He still runs his property development company here in Mason City.
Good work ethic and values are what we have taught our son and daughter, Michael and Melissa and they’ve heard me say a thousand times:
You must be the difference you’d like to see.
So with that being said, I feel I need to comment regarding the Prestage Farm pork facility proposal. It seems that there are just too many unanswered questions from so many citizens. What will the health consequences be? What about the smell? Will this facility affect property values? This is a very important decision for the future of Mason City so let’s not make hasty decisions.
With my lifelong love for Mason City and friends from all walks of life and both political parties, I want to get down to the Iowa Legislature and advance Iowa’s interests and help Mason City improve, grow and prosper.
Iowa needs to be more business-friendly.
We don’t teach the trades any more in high school and we must change that.
We need to buckle down and invest in our roads, bridges and infrastructure.
All I know about our people and our potential tell me that this is Mason City’s time. Situated midway between Des Moines and Minneapolis, we’re poised for the long overdue growth that’s eluded us. I want to make sure we are bringing the right jobs to North Iowa!
Like Margaret Meade said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Barbara Hovland
Candidate for Iowa State Representative District 53
Cerro Gordo GOP chairwoman
Call her Barbie all you want! She is hot and I like her!
Marshalltown has increased the pork packing house several times. Though many of our immigrant workers are good people, the drain on our schools, law enforcement, welfare programs, and overall decline in community quality is something for Mason City to seriously consider. Take your time and look into it. If what other packing house communities have is what Mason City wants then decide at that time.
Rumblow you HAVE to be a pubic servant /BERNIE WANNABE !
Barbie looks like the Poster Porkette for eating more bacon.
Rumblow – When I was young and attended school the federal fkup system did not dicktate what the teachers should teach and tell the cooks/parents what I must have for lunch – too much worthless government intervention these days that is destroying America. TRUMP 2016 -SAVE AMERICA !!
Yep, I have always wanted state and local schools to renounce federal funding and the attached strings. I would even be willing to have my property taxes at least double to do so.
School food requirements? To offset the fed money we could do one of those public-private partnerships like Iowa medicaid. Just have McDonalds or Burger Whopper make a bid.
Barbie already had a tough Republican Central Committee meeting on Monday night, she doesn’t need anymore meetings that don’t go her way. Cerro Gordo Republicans got screwed on the delegate count, now how did that happen, Barbie?
A little off topic..but on the issue of corporate welfare..we’re any of you aware that taxpayers & United Way are funding a bus & bus rides for Winnabago employees from Mason City to Forest City?
Bago announced a $9.4 MILLION quarterly profit….??
They build buses…it’s a program called N.I.C.E. real nice..
for Winnebago…
$27 million so far given to this multi-BILLION dollar “family business”…if this is where the grain & “everything they need” is…why do we gotta give em anything? look into why they’re leaving North Carolina…hint..PEE WHUUUE
Also..love how mayor & council quick to call em “good jobs”..have any of em ever worked in a cut & kill plant? Are their kids gonna work there? Still unclear what pay will be…big secret? me thinks not so good…
We all know who will be hired for these jobs. Just like armour.
Guacamole or tuna casserole?
You be the judge!
I think there is a lot of unanswered questions on what this plant will bring. Lets have the debate and go from there. Just because someone is questioning if this plant is a good idea or not does not make them anti growth, anti Mason City they just need answers. I for one am on the fence the jobs would be great but at what cost. Is it going to lead to a higher percentage of children on free or reduce lunch programs like other communities in Iowa with this type of facility? Doesn’t matter if your Republican or Democrat we all complain about our tax dollars going to welfare programs. Is this plant going to increase this likelihood or raise our community above that.
@watching
Well said, well said indeed.
Wouldn’t it be great if politics were kept out of this and just do what is best for all?
Yes, there a lot of questions that need to be answered.
How much corporate welfare is this hog outfit getting?
This company is being offered millions in corporate welfare and this too should be discussed. Welfare to corporations and to people who are capable but don’t want to work are both a huge problem.
Rump your funny -since the government took over our education dept. everyone has been dummied down – double negative – verbs ? Hell they cannot write their own name on a basketball.
Yep, I reckon there weren’t any government schools when you were a youngun. It was all private.
Just wait till Barbie figures out that this plan is being supported by our Republican Governor, Terry Bumstead. Nice way to kick off your campaign Barbie, buck the gov and politically you are toast.
So, does this mean that Babs is going to attend the city council meeting(s) and voice her objections to this project proceeding too quickly?
Seriously doubt that will happen, as Babs is nothing more than fluff.
She might say what should be done, but will she then “stick her neck out” on this one and demand answers?
Seriously doubt that, as Mason City Barbie doesn’t like to get ruffled, it might tousle her hair up.
Stick to accessorizing Babs.
Ms. Hovland has the right approach. I am in agreement that our other two North Iowa elected officials have their head stuck in the sand. On purpose no doubt for political reasons. Must not make any waves you see.
Yes, this whole hog kill deal should be put on hold until the all the questions are answered and any problems RESOLVED NOW before moving forward.
It could end up that this is not a good fit for North Iowa.
Then again if all the negatives have a way to be solved “satisfactory”, then I am sure it will find overwhelming support. At this point, from what I am hearing on the streets, it does NOT have the support of the citizens.
Money is not everything.
Great comment. City staff will be addressing the major concerns in the community Tuesday night 7 PM right off the bat. They must rise to the challenge that night. That being said, we have 6-0 council right now… but will that hold? Some say there are three council members who are shaky. Could a strong turnout from citizens sway them… perhaps not on 2nd reading but at the critical 3rd reading? Tune in Wednesday to “As the Pork Belly Churns” to find out next development.
Second or third readings for what? Sorry, I’ve seen people commenting about this but can’t figure out what this is. Thanks.
The zoning changes that would allow the Prestage Foods pork plant to be built in Mason City must pass THREE readings in front of the Mason City council. The FIRST reading passed 6-0 March 22. SECOND reading will be held April 5. THIRD reading (likely) April 19.
First reading on the rezoning passed on March 1. Second reading passed on March 15. Third reading passed on March 22.
Frankly, this statement offers little more opinion on the subject than Steckman did last Saturday.
Cheerleading without an answer.
Well ? I know asking you are you for it or against it is useless – But you have a good head on your shoulders like common sense Donald Trump and the Muslim problem — Slow down/lets think this out – its not like this new world order /foreign owned company has to have its answer today – hell lets get up a petition and make it come to a vote – I can not believe no one is getting up a petition -rather simple and law abiding way to settle this problem.
“I can not believe no one”…….. double negatives are taught in second grade but only the poorly educated don’t learn. BTW love those pearls Barbie, all gussied up for your campaign pitch here. Too bad you backed Gov. Chris Crisco
They’re fake.