MASON CITY – A declared candidate for a vacant Mason City council seat was guilty this summer of his third drunk driving offense.
Mason City police confirmed to NIT that John Martin Carden, age 40, was arrested back on February 8, 2016 for second-offense operating while intoxicated.
According to police, at 12:15 AM that morning, a caller reported a vehicle stuck in a snowbank near the 1000 block of 9th Street SW. The caller reported the driver seemed “out of it” and acted like he was trying to run or hide from the caller when he initially checked on him. The caller watched the man – who turned out to be Carden – enter and exit the stuck vehicle until police arrived.
Police arrived at the scene and suspected Carden may be under the influence of alcohol. They say Carden showed clues of being impaired during field sobriety testing.
“Because Carden refused chemical testing, I cannot rule out other substances but the arresting officer thought alcohol was involved,” a police spokesman told NIT.
Carden refused to provide a breath sample and was charged with second-offense operating while intoxicated. He was taken to the county jail for processing.
In June, Carden was able to get the charge amended to first-offense operating while intoxicated and then entered a guilty plea. He was ordered to serve 2 days in jail, complete drunk driving school (which records show, he did on August 26) and pay $1,797.50 in fines and court fees. Despite the fact that his wife is a doctor, Carden was put on a $50.00 per month payment plan and has paid $60.00 so far on his outstanding balance.
Carden was caught drunk driving twice in Johnson county, Iowa, once in 2002 and again in 2003.
Reportedly, Carden – who owns a bar called FION BARRA Wine Bar in downtown Mason City, open three days a week – turned in the required paperwork recently to run for the vacant Mason City council at-large seat. He did not alert NIT to his candidacy. There are 7 other candidates who say they are running. The election is September 20.
OK so forget the drunk driving charges cause the law is dealing with it. Forget the city council seat cause the people will decide. Mason City doesn’t need another business to shut down. Work with this Carden fellow with community spirit and make his business move forward. We need the town to thrive and do well not fall apart.
Can a deplorable get a drink in your establishment ? Gave up the drink and the democratic party under obamma – Life is now just fine and I can think for myself – Did I also say I gave up the cheap FAKE NEWS CHANNELS AND THE FAKE DEMORAT PARTY OF STUPIDITY !
Weaver or Paul Adams are the only two real contenders to begin with. All these other clowns are a waste of our time and their own time.
Where can we who don’t know Adams get a bit of background on him? I keep hearing that he is a “good guy”, but I’d like some specifics before i make my mind up.
Stay tuned for video interview with Mr. Adams NIT completed Thursday evening.
I don’t know anything about Adams and, would like to know more. Weaver is the last one I would every vote for. He is just a big mouth shit disturber who lies a lot.
All you need to know about Adams is that he is a Yes Man. He will vote Yes for everything Robin Anderson wants. He will raise your taxes without batting an eye. A true lemming.
If you doubt me just look at his past record. Facta non verba.
And we certainly don’t need a city councilman who is a boozer. We have too many in town as it is.
Lastly, Mr. Weaver may indeed be a loudmouth, however time and again he has proven to stand up for all the people in this community not just a select few. He thinks outside of the box, and as far as I can tell he has a love for this community and wants to see it do well. He does not cater to the special interests nor Robin Anderson.
I want somebody in our city council who is willing to do the best things for all the citizens of Mason City. Who will bring good jobs and encourage growth in our community, but not at the cost of the taxpayers. We need somebody who is realistic in what Mason City is, and what it can support.
DISQUALIFIED!
No doubt about it, if there is a debate, it’s going to be top notch entertainment!
Where’s all the dirt you’re bringing up on the other candidates? Singling one out to sway your own opinion isn’t the journalism this town needs.
What dirt are you referring to?
Wow. This guy should’ve just payed low
“Pick up the gun.” “Stay away from the gun.” Alcohol is just another one of Society’s mixed signals.
He is probably very much like all the commenters on this site in one way or another…
I’m gonna vote for who ever was for the prestige deal.
Move to Eagle Grove if you Love Pretage and want to work for them.
Here here. All the people who thought those would be good jobs for Mason City surely also think they are good enough jobs to commute to Eagle Grove. Take the drive, maybe you will like it so much you move there.
some of my best decisions have been made while UNDER THE INFLUNCE
Like this mis-spelled tattoo, my voting for that guy, uhh, barry Obama?
and oh yeah, bitching about everything but doing nothing, booze solves all!
RIP Gene Wilder
And how many deputies have prior dui’s as well who cares if they do their job it is unfortunate but nonetheless irrelevant
Just like it doesn’t matter what Mike funk has done. Just like beating his girlfriends
Funk also has D.U.I’s
It is unfortunate that these comments would have anything to do with my wife who takes care of ailing children and has even saved a few of their lives. Attack me if you wish , but not her.
If you really are Carden, you need to lower your price on the brew – $5 for beer??
We need a bar in Mason that is willing to bring in some good rock and metal bands instead of the same locals that just change their name.
He is correct. No one has the right to attack the mans wife. She is not running for public office.
The prices are to keep the riff raff out. It seems to be successful. I sell microbrewed beer and my prices are fair. Anonymity is like a warm blanket for cowards.
You just called yourself a coward! Microbrews poop! What do you consider riff raff?
if he is a drunk he will get along good with drunkmeyer
Who is his wife ?
Her name is Haley, she is a pediatrician. Well thought of. John is fundamentally a good guy too, but at times his judgement leave some to be desired, to put it mildly.
Another drunk with a Doctor for a wife…the Mayor would have a comrade !
Dont pour out that jug of wine my friend pass it over to me. I heard that the council is going to have their own type of communion now. Chips,salsa and and a shot of tequila.
Ha, that’s not near as bad as the problems with the rest of those clowns. I’d take a drunk over that brainless pig Solberg.
He’ll get along with the mayor just fine then.