MASON CITY – The Prestage Foods hog processing plant that seemed like a done deal just hours ago was defeated with a tie vote Wednesday morning.
The 3-3 vote came after Bill Schickel revealed he would not be supporting the development and then in a bombshell emotional moment, John Lee said he would be voting no. The council had been considering an economic development package for Prestage Foods worth over $15 million over 10 years of tax breaks.
Mr. Lee had seemed like a solid backer of the project until he began to talk about his family and the hours upon hours of time he had dedicated to researching the proposed $240 million development with Prestage Foods. He referenced a note that his daughter had written and slid under a door at their home, in which she wrote to her dad that she knew he would do the right thing.
The 3-3 tie vote essentially stops the Prestage development. There is always a chance – however unlikely – that more negotiations could take place between Prestage and the City and another development agreement brought forward. It was mentioned in the meeting that Prestage had looked at Charles City as a possible destination.
I have never been happier to say I am from Mason City. I believe the majority of people living here did not think this plant was a right fit for our community with the low wages and large give away of public money and they stood up and let their voices be heard. Everyone pro or con had the opportunity to do so. Nice to see our local government actually works for the people who elected them.
I have lived in Mason City most of my life and after listening to some of the ‘ramblings’ of citizens who got to be on TV and speak against Prestage makes me extremely sad to say that out loud. I am truly embarrassed at how many of our citizens acted during these public hearings. Would they sit there and let people call them liars and bad neighbors to their face? I doubt it. Some should not throw stones.
A honest question. Meetings lasted 5-6-7 hours? Why did or does anybody living outside of Cerro Gordo county get to speak?
Its not their dollars at stake, should not get a voice one way or another in my opinion
The only good thing that came out of the negative vote is Bookie will not get the political appointment now.
The look on Alex Kuhn’s face when he saw John Lee start to blubber was absolutely priceless. Then, he had to say to Bookmeyer, “Are you okay?” He must have felt like a babysitter.
The right decision was made. The public was never behind this project. For people that say we always turn thing away that just BS. We did not speak out agains Sunny Fresh, the Ethonal Plant, the Bio Diesel plant. When the people stand up and let their voices be heard its for a good reason.
The city council is the city’s council, not Bookmeyers private coumcil.