MASON CITY – According to insiders at city hall, John Groninga appears to be Mayor Eric Bookmeyer’s choice to fill the city council seat left behind by the late Alex Kuhn.
City hall insiders tell NIT that Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and/or city hall is very likely to make the announcement in coming days. This temporary appointment would have to be approved by the city council and would only be valid until an election could be held, potentially this year. There was no word as to whether Groninga would be a part of any election, if one is held.
John Groninga currently is listed as a member of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission until 2018. That board – with no publicity – approved the re-zoning of a tract of farmland on the city’s south side to “heavy industrial”, paving the way for the possibility of Prestage Foods building a gigantic hog slaughtering plant there. That proposal failed, miserably, on every level.
John Groninga, a long-time Mason City educator, has taught students at Mason City High School and NIACC since about 1970. Groninga, a liberal Democrat, was elected to represent Mason City and surrounding communities in the Iowa House of Representatives in 1982. He served 5 terms and eventually lost to Merlin Bartz in 1992, as the pair faced off for a state Senate seat vacated by Alvin Miller. Groninga lost handily to Bartz. Vacating his House seat to challenge Bartz allowed Mason City orthodontist Dr. Gary Blodgett to capture the seat left behind by Groninga.
According to county auditor Ken Kline, the Mason City Council cannot call for a special election to fill the vacancy to be held with the general (Presidential) election to be held in November, as the timing does not meet the 90-day Code requirement. Alex Kuhn’s death was July 15, thereby vacating the seat.
In previous conversations, Auditor Kline has said, “Who would object?” to putting the vacancy on the general election ballot, as the voter participation would be much greater, and there would be no cost to the City.
“In talking with various people, I have heard and believe that putting the vacancy on the general election ballot could – and likely will – open the election results to a contest (possible lawsuit and challenge to the results),” Auditor Kline explained. “So, as much as I might prefer and believe the public would benefit from doing so, I retract my offer to approve a special election to be held concurrently with the November general election.
“In order to comply with the 90-day requirement, the Council can call for a special election on any Tuesday beginning September 6th through October 11th. It would be much better for (the Auditor’s office), and more importantly, much better for voters, if we avoid holding a special election on either of the first two Tuesdays in October. In other words, I would urge the Council to pick any Tuesday in September.”
Is that yello snow?
Someone always on the take!
Could you get a recent picture of him? That one is at least 25 years old.
Groniga has way to much slime on him to take this job, he has got to many skeleton’s in his closet, if you know what I mean. If he takes it, then go get somebody to run against him like nobody ever did. Groniga is cocky this can be one of his un-doing’s. Ok, he wants to be Blimpmeyers bitch, then just bring it all out, it is there. There is alot of ways to get beat him down. Go get him.
I dont think your talking about fairy tales are you.
The people get the representation that most reflects who they are as a people. Change your culture first, and stop worrying about ‘leaders’.
Yeah! Look at me for instance. I get what I want and all I have to do is sit back and wait for someone to hand it to me. I am a crusader for awesome.
I hate to agree with Lagios on anything, but on this I agree with him. They should not be able to use another persons name and make false comments. They should be banned immediately for doing that.
If he would stay off the site, then no one would bother him. I think someone’s doing this to try to get him to leave.
You see, LVS and I agree on something because both sides of a political spectrum can understand how navigating thru false representation and deceipt hurts the entire process of discussion as a whole. Matt should take steps to warn these fakers and ban them.
*v*
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“The people get the representation that most reflects who they are as a people.’ Peter that is Brilliant! That’s exactly why you were soundly defeated and totally rejected by the citizens of Clear Lake.
I don’t believe it is Peter making those comments.
@LVS….You are probably right. That statement for tool logical for a Peter L. to make. Plus, it never mentioned anything about him being vegan.
He will quit the vegan thing too. He never follows through with everything. This will just be another fail for Peter L.
He only became a vegan when he failed at being a vaginaterian.
Many are jealous of 1.) Greeks, 2.) Vegans, 3.) People who are not a sleep in the Matrix, 4.) People who care, 5.) People who speak truth, the nature of the brain is conforming a reality they want to believe is true, and anything outside threat reality must be false for instance this video does not conform to the brainwashed Matrix mindset, yet is this video true, by C.Ervana, https://youtu.be/VKpQljw6dd0.
How odd! Bookmeyer is supposed to be a Republican and he wants to appoint a very liberal Democrat.
John Groninga is farther left then Bernie Sanders.
Hmmmmmm? Like Trump says, “the system is rigged”.
He is a DINO…Democrat in name only….. and is disliked by almost all democrats and most people for that matter.
I like him.
What a shame… He is a mean-spirited man and has no place calling himself a Democrat…. He acts like a Republican in every important way. Maybe that is why Bookmeyer wants him. And, probably on Planning and Zoning, without the public being involved.. held the vote to re-zone the land to the correct zoning for Prestage. He is no friend of Democrats as was mentioned… And, probably as a perk for being so adamant the Prestage build here. Nasty guy!!
OOPS.. did not mean Probably.. about the zoning vote…. they did hold the vote and it was yes..
Please watch video about Agenda 21, by David Icke, https://youtu.be/StcO_Nma5NA.
I think Matt just got punked!
Is there anyone that they could appoint that would satisfy everyone enough to not petition for an election?
I do not believe so. All the more reason to hold an election and not to just appoint someone.
NO BOOKMEYER APPOINTEES
The fat toad needs to go..he is CORRUPT! Offered a high paying do-nothing job for himself, his wife was to run the clinic for Prestage, there to keep work comp claims low..Bookie & Thicky bullied Alex. they need to go!!
I don’t think we can trust Bookmeyer. He should not be assigning anyone to the position. Special election. With Alex gone, there’s only one person on the council that will watch out for the people…..John Lee. This should NOT be Bookmeyers decision to make.
Man that person in the picture looks like a poster print for not so prestige (chinese TPP hog plants)
Liberal demorat -Hillery liberal lieing corrupt demorat. I would run from this special person. TRUMP TRUMP> 2016 – 2024
Anyone appointed by this divisive major would be unacceptable. The only solution is to call for a special election either by a unanimous consent of the council or a petition from the people. Leave the position open as a bold testimony to open government and start packing your bags (m)ayor. You will be remembered for you reign of mistrust and incompetence.
Just like Obama
Hi LVS. Been missin you old man.
know john Groninga well would make a good council member for everything not related to the pork industry. Was a big supporter of the pork plant. Only cared about bringing low pay uneducated immigrants to Mason City to what he thought would bolster the school system. Did not look any further on the environmental aspects of the project and the quality of life for the rural members of the surrounding counties. Also thought that the will of the people did not need consideration.
1800 temp workers + kids, 100% yearly attrition, 80% non-english speaking. Yeah, some $#@^& bolstering of the school system.
On top of that, the Death Palace ended up costing Alex his life. I find it outright offence to see him replaced by someone who considered it a place of worship.
Sadly I would rather have Max on the council than Groninga.
Amazing how a conversation with Mr. Groninga 25+ years ago really soured me on the guy. I don’t have the time of day for that man because he didn’t have time for me as a constituent while he was an elected official.
Jodi Draper or Matt would also make excellent council people. If Groninga will not talk to citizens he will just be another rubber stamp for the mayor.
I’d vote for Mad Max in a heartbeat.
Yes, he’s the man for the citizens of mason city. About 36 years ago when he lived on Plymouth road, and a teacher ?, at the time, he tried to get city services for free. 🙁 The same services we all pay every month on our water bill. He’ll fit right in with the scheme of things.
Wake up video by FisherOfmen, https://youtu.be/xZNoxwCkxmo.
Maybe the best option they are all replaced by a computer generated image of a large cupcake that only says “yes”, it would be cheaper, efficient and depending how the questions were asked it would always say “yes”, ask it anything for instance – Question 1.) Are you a guilty crook of course it would say “yes”, Question 2.) Would you do anything for extra frosting again it would say “yes”, everyone would be happy and stay in cupcake land because the computer generated large cupcake always says “Yes”, only one stipulation the large cupcake would need a non GMO label hence making it a user friendly showing duality with the illusion of healthy vs unhealthy, adding the non binding frosting, it works, the point is in my view a cupcake would do a better job, with singularity just around the corner and the psychopath sorcerers idea of Agenda 21/30 there are more important cookies that need baking/conversations about real important things such as 1.) Back up solar and wind energy for M.C. in the event of loss of electricity i.e. natural disaster, emp, 2.) Water supply back up if the water was ever contaminated, 3.) Food storage if the currency collapses, are any of those ever topics ever discussed.
Max will run. Matt Grudge will run. Pete will run. Philosophus can run since he can be homeless in MC. The fired county clerk can run. All kinds of possibilities. /s
As far as I can tell, since I don’t read every article, I haven’t seen LVS commenting much lately. So is the comment about him really necessary.
What?
You should seriously consider taking a couple of courses on effective written communication.
There should be a massive write in campaign.
And I am pushing for LVS!
No one and I mean no one is better qualified to fill that position.
LVS:
He is a caring & compassionate person, considerate of all people.
He has great insight.
His way with words and thoughts are incredible.
He knows everything.
His ability to keenly analyze any situation is almost unbelievable.
His problem solving skills are beyond imagination.
What can one not say about LVS, he is almost, well, dare I say it, superhuman.
LVS- for all the people, because he cares about each and everyone of you!
Wells friend of Boobmeyer is a friend of swine.
another Bookmeyer butt kisser
You could be right…… think about it !!
Tying him to a rezoning project with a hog plant is a bit of a strech. Give the guy a little credit for future endeavors regarding the cities future where ever or with whom ever.