by Matt Marquardt, NorthIowaToday.com Publisher –
NIT crushed it. The candidate forum held Tuesday night at the Mason City library was nothing short of a great success for the candidates and the people of Mason City. And that was the reason for the forum in the first place. To elevate and inform the voters for a better Mason City.
What I’m about to write here is far from a comprehensive overview of last night’s outstanding candidate forum my team and I here at NorthIowaToday.com held with five city council candidates for the people of Mason City. I am pretty exhausted from scrambling to put the event together – not just from the sheer logistics of organizing it, but battling back those who wanted the forum to not be held at all – or fail in a spectacular way. Those dramatics will be covered in a second piece coming soon. In the meantime, I am happy to say those people are sorely disappointed today. And, I am even happier to say, those who were pulling for this forum to be a huge success – and maybe a landmark event – are feeling pretty darn good as we move forward.
I must start by thanking the five outstanding gentlemen who are running for our at-large council seat that threw their hats into the ring, became candidates, and never batted an eye in accepting my invitation to this event. Paul Adams. Jeff Christie. Jacob Krueger. Joshua Masson. Max Weaver. They questioned little or nothing, knowing that showing the citizens their openness was of paramount importance. They simply said “Matt, I will be there.” This meant a lot to me. They trusted me. More importantly, this showed me that these five candidates are truly candidates of the people, they care about transparency, they have nothing to hide. And they demonstrated this at the forum by sitting for over 2 hours and taking any question I or our full house of Mason City citizens could throw at them. Not one of them wavered. I salute these gentlemen. I wish they could all be installed on our city council right now. Over the last few years and culminating in the last few months, watching our city council and mayor in action has left many, many Mason City citizens feeling hopeless and left out. After last night’s forum, and getting to know these 5 candidates, I feel there is hope for Mason City. The right people are out there, folks, to turn this thing around. Choose wisely.
Of course, a forum is made more robust by an enthusiastic audience. And we had that. As many as 100 people came and went from the forum. We had hundreds – if not thousands – who tuned in at some point to watch the event live on Facebook; the video of the event has reached nearly 5,000 so far with a boost coming today. The forum can now be watched at anytime from our Facebook page; it’s pinned to the top. Our audience – nearly all of them Mason City citizens – submitted outstanding questions. I decided on the fly to edit nothing. Many of the questions – as expected – focused on jobs, growing our city, healing in the wake of Prestage, and much more. Some of the questions were tough on the mayor and current council. Well, rightfully so. I’ll go so far as to say, they deserve every ounce of criticism and vitriol the people of Mason City now have for them. They did it to themselves, and continue to dig a deeper hole. And I’m talking about the entire council and mayor. They have all said and done some awful things recently. Not one of them has been able to escape falling into that trap, and people have taken notice. Will the small sliver of our city’s population who will vote on September 20 take this into account? What about in next November’s monumental elections? We’ll see soon enough.
Again, I thank everyone for their support – however they contributed, even just by watching the video – in this important endeavor. I cannot close without thanking my team, again, for pulling together on short notice (this was done for a reason) to make this happen. Proud to have you all by my side.
As we march toward the election of September 20, let us all vow to do our duty and cast a ballot that day. Did you know, you can vote now at the courthouse? Yes, you can, and it’s easy. Each weekday before election day. Go down there and do what every American is supposed to do: Vote.
Dangerous idiot…that is hystericsl! People running around screaming he’s so dangerous. While that is happening a drunk got away with it, a bad ball player got away with it, a crazy woman drove in circles for hours sniffing around got away with it.. .Alex
Looks like the powers that be are trying to use the same tactics as when Jodi Draper ran for office. Their pick doesn’t show up for the debate. The big shots trying to buy the election. Using what they think are people of affluence and influence to get their way. It will all be over but the crying in a few days .
Thanks for putting this together Matt. Many people struggle to find the time to learn about the candidates. This gives everyone an opportunity to learn about them. Unfortunate, they all were not present. I personally will note vote for non-attendees. Again, Great Job!
Matt – thank you so much for putting together this public forum. It was a great evening. Many, many questions were asked by the citizens in attendance. Very thoughtful questions. All of the candidates participated fully and with respect for each other, the city & its citizens. They presented excellent ideas that were worth listening to. With all the city’s talk of transparency, this forum presented a true picture of transparency. This is what democracy is all about. Meeting the people you serve & listening to them. Letting them ask you questions, letting them see who you are, what you think & feel. All of the 5 candidates made me proud to be a Mason Cityan. What makes me sad is that our current leaders including the media (Globe Gazette, KIMT, KGLO radio, etc.) no longer sponsor debates or forums. They’re not accountable to the folks they serve. Public forums & conversations were the standard except for the past few years. Circle the wagons & don’t let any “outsiders” in has become acceptable to the “elite” in MC. We can see through those plans & schemes so is that what makes them transparent? Andy O’Brien’s supporters had to have spent thousands to put the slick flyers in our Globe Gazette. Andy did not show for this forum where he could be questioned or have to talk to folks that don’t run in his circle. A sheet of paper does not show the measure of a man who wants to represent our citizens. Rather it shows one who feels entitled to a position & one who doesn’t feel the need to listen to citizens. Not impressed. No one from the current council or government attended either. Alex Kuhn attended the debates a couple of years ago – he wasn’t up for election but he was interested in what happened at this public conversations. Those forums were hosted by private citizens as well. Alex was a true leader & a fine young man. Alex would have approved of the men that are running for his seat AND SHOWED UP Tuesday night to be truly transparent.
What are they so afraid of? Simply put they know Weaver is smarter then any of them. Folks as you vote remember O’Brien didn’t even show up for the forum. They know he would be crushed by Max with intelligence and they couldn’t take the chance,same as when bookmeyer hid from all debates. Also remember laughs at everyone of us. We and this town are a joke to him which also means O’Brien. The rest are too young to be tough enough to endure the abuse.
Vote!! Rumor has it that the chamber and others have pumped thousands of dollars into Andy O’Brien’s campaign, just as they’ve done the same for Barb Hovland (against Sharon Steckman). We can NOT let money buy the city council election. We do NOT need another “yes man” on the council. It takes five minutes to vote. You’ll feel good knowing you did your part.
Well max has no blood on his hands like some there. If you think what our mayor has done to this city is ok then call him and have drinks, start hanging out. He needs to pull in as many as he can. Go for it. And what in the hell has weaver ever done so god awful… his political resume is clean. And state wide publicity are you KIDDING. Solberg sealed that up. Move past not liking him and get the most rational experienced man for the job to save our town and lives. the way….if you are so right …What. is the councils plan B that they won’t tell us? Yet say they are transparent, which btw Weaver invented transparency. Everyone is copying the term he said itsaying it 30 years ago.
“crushed it”? That should not be a phrase used by a news outlet.. I think the only thing Matt can crush is his own nuts if he sits on them.
Classy comment, but I can live with it. Thinking about you thinking about my body is weird – but I guess I can understand your fascination. Just make sure your crush on me doesn’t turn into stalkerville.
Did any of the current Max supporters follow the council when he was on it before? He is a very eloquent speaker and very knowledgeable of the happenings in Mason City. BUT he seems to leave all that including his brains at the door before council meetings. He promises to change for the better but fails each time elected. We don’t need the bad state wide publicity that follows us when he is on the council. (worse than we have now).
I followed the council when he was there before. That is why I have some reservations. However, he was by far the most qualified at the forum.
You made me proud Matt! By organizing and carrying out this great public service, you snatched the power over the political process from Bookmeyer, the Chamber, and John Skipper, and gave it back to the citizens. Great job!!
Thank you for this compliment.
Keep fighting it haters of max. Knowledge not wisdom. Omg is that all you can say and that makes zero sense anyway. You saying the others have wisdom? There’s more wisdom in a turd then they have acquired. Decent fellas I’m sure, but not there yet. Forbid bookmeye hklckey, Solberg taking control over and or bullying them to death. Too unseasoned and it is scaring people what will happen.
Great job Matt and a big thanks to the candidates that made it to be there.
It was my pleasure to host this event.
Dang, in that picture Matt, you look like you are about 5 feet tall 🙂
Paul is tall. haha. I’m not a big guy… might seem like it, but just 5-9 170 on a good day.
Ya Matt but you are made of steel my friend!!
I for one do not want the new person to be young, I feel more solid with an experienced guy making decisions. Thankfully it was crystal clear who knows more than any of them. No one could be more informed than Max. Most haven’t lived long enough or even been seen at any meetings. Who are these guys? I like that max is on to them and let’s face it he blew them away with knowledge.
Knowledge perhaps….wisdom not so much.
VOTE EARLY! VOTE MAX!!!
Good job Marquardt.
As I commented in the other article, I knew that Andy O’Brien was the one that weaseled out.
I am also positive that he was advised / told by the inner sanctum (Bookmeyer & Anderson and others of that ilk) not to attend.
That in of itself tells you that O’Brien is not his own man, has no balls & he’s owned.
I really liked the question
“In case of a council tie vote should the mayor be allowed to cast the deciding vote in all matters”
They all said “no”.
Excellent, because that is just a good check on a narcissistic, buffoon of a mayor like we have now.
You just know that that rule frosts Bookmeyer’s ass.
I like the Paul Adams fellow, bright, articulate and well-informed on MC and issues.
Now we just need to make sure that O’Brien does get in and eventually get rid of that self-serving ass Bookmeyer, and the idiot Solberg.
It should have said that “O’Brien does NOT get in”
My bad.
I’m a bit worried that O’Brien WILL get in. Likes you said he is OWNED by the business clique and they’ll focus all their voting power towards him and him alone. Meanwhile the rest of us might well split between several goods candidates; Adams, Weaver to name a couple. It would be a disgrace if the seat of late Alexander Kuhn would go to a half illiterate yes-man.
Great job looks like a very good turn out. Goes to show you he citizens want to be involved with their elected officials. Hopefully the ones that chose not to let the people hear their views will crawl back under their rocks.
Good job Matt! Why does our other news source not care?
It was very obvious who needs to be the choice. Experience and knowledge just can’t be beat. If we continue to fight for our lives and freedom from our mayor and council it is imperative for a STRONG individual.
I
We absolutely have to vote for Max!
No Andy O’Brian, of course. Rumor has it he’s already ahead in the absentee ballots!
Nearly a full house! Great job, Matt. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you Matt for organizing the forum. I would like to thank all five of the candidates for running. It was very informative and certainly helped me decide who to vote for.
Matt,
Great job in organizing and hosting the candidate forum last evening! It was an informative and important event. I’m thankful to those candidates who chose to take part and very disappointed in the few who did not. I think if a candidate truly wants to be considered by residents, they must understand and uphold the idea of transparency. The five candidates from last night’s forum proved that they do and will. A few were fabulous candidates that I would very much like to see elected to the council in the year(s) ahead. Thanks again for providing this opportunity to the candidates to show Mason City who they really are, and to the residents of Mason City to become more informed and involved!
You are welcome. It was fun to do it.