MASON CITY – Rick Mathes, a local realtor who predicted an “economic winter” for Mason City after the Prestage slaughterhouse he strongly supported was turned away, has given up on Mason City and is moving out of state.
Thanks to one of the growing confidants and informers working with NIT on a daily basis, we were able to secure an email that Rick Mathes sent on the afternoon of September 6, 2016. It was, oddly, addressed to a number of other realtors.
In the email, Rick Mathes paints a dire picture of Mason City, citing population decline, a poor business climate, and his own “struggle” to operate a successful business as reasons why he is tucking his tail between his legs and fleeing his “hometown”.
Prior to this revelation that he is abandoning Mason City, “Realtor Rick” as he likes to be called, fought hard for the Prestage hog slaughtering plant that was eventually turned away. Appointed by Mayor Eric Bookmeyer to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, his board paved the way by approving a zoning change to a large chunk of farmland on the city’s south side. The land was re-zoned heavy industrial with little publicity, leading confident city and state officials (like Bookmeyer and Governor Terry Branstad) to declare on March 21 that Prestage Foods was all set to build on that land inside city limits. However, things quickly turned sour as the actual political process got underway. “Realtor Rick” began to appear at council meetings, lecturing those opposed to the plant; some said he was arrogant and condescending as he stood in his battered leather jacket, leaning on the podium. He sneered at Mason City citizens, looking down upon them as he trumpeted the economic benefits he might reap from the plant.
However, Rick Mathes and others like him were unable to persuade the council. Once the development agreement with Prestage failed, “Realtor Rick” went back to the podium one last time. Standing before the council, Rick Mathes glared in silence at the elected officials, for over a full minute. He then scolded city council members Alex Kuhn, Bill Schickel and John Lee – who did not support the plant – and predicted an “economic winter” for Mason City as a result.
The following is the email Rick Mathes sent on September 6:
Hello Fellow Realtors,
As you know, Mason City’s population has been steadily declining for the past 20+ years.
As a result, “any” realtors possible market share is also steadily declining.
I have struggled greatly with my hometown’s situation, but can no longer ignore what is happening.
By years’ end our family will be relocating to Michigan.
It has been an honor to have served with all of you and I have valued each of your insights and commitment to our MLS.
Sincerely,
Rick Mathes aka Realtor Rick
Hey Rick, the pedophilia in the town hurts the ability to attract and retain new residents too! Just some food for thought. . Maybe you can go fight that fight instead, but be careful, who knows who will get swept up in that debacle. Hope it doesn’t hit too close to home!
I think he moved to Michigan months ago.
Can you please take your dad with you?!
hope they have good bars in MI too.
Marquart and his NITwits strike again. Small minds in a small town. The village gossip column.
Who is Rick Mathes?
I wish realtor rick would take NIT with him…
Promoting CAFOS is advocating human, animal abuse and causes environmental disaster, research the destruction CAFOS cause, please view these two videos,https://youtu.be/ayGJ1YSfDXs, https://youtu.be/jhBWDzkqEPY.
The people commenting on here are the epitome of why this town is the way it is. Does everyone need to agree with one another on every issue? No. Does everyone have to like one another? No, But just because a local businessman decided to move, suddenly calls for a rude article followed by horrible comments from the adults in this town? Everything about this saddens me with the lack of respect people have. How would you like someone trying to pry into one’s own business making rumors and assumptions? I mean, no one’s. perfect people. Why don’t we spend time bettering ourselves rather then tearing down people on some site?
Do you know what this “local businessman” tried to do to our community?
He’s nearly ruined the Noon Rotary Club here in Mason City. I don’t think service clubs are supposed to have a political agenda.
Just like the many people who have left over the decades.People of Mason City always think they have too be in everyone business,and are always ready to ruin someone or some idea they have.There are a lot of small minded people who have to protect their so called area ,so not to upset their applecart.Hell,I sometimes think Mason City will never move foward past this type of thinking.That is why our population will never really move past 30,000 citizens.There is a reason people leave.We always seem to blow everything way out of reason before we look at facts.We always look for the next thing to bitch about.Wages in every sector in Mason City lag,People thought 13 -14$ wasn’t much look around Mason full of jobs for 10,11$,try and raise family on that.That is why we pull in the lower class that everyone complains about,but that is what you get because of that.People complain but they still like paying low wages. (Business Owners).You reap what you sew.Birds of a feather flock together holds true here.
Moving to your wife’s hometown is not fleeing. Grow up people.
What town exactly is that? Since it’s not fleeing I’m sure you’d like to share, no?
He still has all that government money (yours and mine) coming in for the rip rap rental properties he owns in Mason ! Keep douse busing moving – moving -Rawhide -or should I say pig chit.
Deadtroit will love him – Next – Mexico and homes for the Ford (anti American) plant workers. FK em. Makes me wonder though why he did not plant his azz in Eagle Grove or Fort Dodger ???
Maybe Mason city will be a better place without Rick.
The world nothing but a stage, please watch video by Russianvids, https://youtu.be/vQVBMO32noU.
Ba-Bye Slick Rick!
Sorry the town took away your goldmine, children. These type of jobs are why you have rentals. If other high-trending companies come in with their higher wages, benefits and degree-minded jobs, those people aren’t going to be renting. They will be buying. Everyone knows in your position, rentals make 10x’s the income than selling someone’s home for them. Most people don’t aspire to rent. They aspire to purchase and own rather than haplessly wasting money. The town does need new businesses. The higher paying jobs mostly will need higher education and/or training. Many people I have know didn’t go to college because they could get right out of high school and work for company X for $12.00hr. Thats great for a kid just out of high school…until you have a family or want to do more than just survive. Give the kids something to strive for. WANT an education. Need an education. Think of our/their future. A better future. Not a dead-end future.
BTW-Could you two be any more snide??
Is he leaving before his emails are FOIA’D too?
Because little Ricky was harassing Alex Kuhn quite harshly..
doubtful he’d sell a house when that all comes out..
Baloney, pure baloney.
Don’t push your luck in the forums Ricky, or a private citizen MIGHT actually go ahead and file a Freedom Of Information request for the email inbox of Alex Kuhn. I’m sure it would contain plenty of interesting statements from various elected officials and Chamber of Commerce members. I thought about it back then, but decided against it based on the family’s wishes not to open old wounds.
Once again NIT proves how small minded and snarky it is.
All empires fall when you are an ass. Too bad it isn’t our current mayor and Solberg and hickey seeing their own true selves then admitting it. One good thing about him, he has realized it.
His old man has stepped on enough toes that even if this town was booming he would be struggling in the real estate business.
Wishing him luck on his new endeavors.
Hhmmmm. Moving to Michigan for one of those good hog slaughter line jobs. Or, payback with a management job?
http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/12/michigan_bringing_home_the_bac.html
Great tidings, but alas, only Little Dick is skipping town. We’ll have to put up with Old Dick for a couple more years longer until he relocates to a much hotter place where he belongs.
Like Arizona?
Hehe,I think he meant that other place that never freezes over…
I don’t know him but I have a friend who didn’t like his personality as a realtor; however, you can’t please everyone.
Try Flint Michigan. I hear they have good water there.
Savage
Good ridence fruit cake!! If it was a difference between you & Prestige I say farewell to both of you! Unfortunately, you forgot to take the Mayor and Governor with you. We are tired of manipulation of things to make bad decisions! We are tired of it and people are going start standing up for what’s right!
Well, what part of his description of Mason City is incorrect? He is young, 90% of the young have left for greener pasture. Some think its funny, I think its kind of sad
First of, don’t let the short stature fool you, he is a middle aged man, close to 50. Second there are lots of us younger than him, who are NOT moving now that Ricks Death Palace was not allowed to ruin the town. And yeah we do pay a fair amount of taxes.
Bye felicia
Good riddance!
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out of the office !