MASON CITY – Paul Adams dominated his opponent in the run-off election for the vacant at-large city council seat, beating “Action Coach” Andy O’Brien by over 1,200 votes in a low-turnout affair.
Mr. Adams mustered 2,051 votes to only 847 for O’Brien, who insiders tell NIT was the choice of Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and the Chamber of Commerce. Adams ran a campaign based on old-fashioned door-knocking, yard signs and modern social media. The two men escaped an 8-man field in a September 20 election to meet in this run-off, which was caused by the July 15 death of Alex Kuhn.
The main difference between Mr. Adams and O’Brien was one stark issue: The Prestage pork plant. O’Brien was a strong supporter of Prestage, saying “What if works, What if we grow as a community ?” (sic), while Mr. Adams was against it from the start. He spoke eloquently twice at city council meetings during the heat of the dramatic, tragic, fatal fiasco that Eric Bookmeyer thrust upon the city, urging the council to turn the mayor’s dream of massive hog slaughterhouse away.
Mr. Adams told NIT prior to election night that “as long as turnout is decent on Tuesday, I like our chances.” Although only 15.7% of registered Mason City voters made it to the polls, it was more than enough for him to keep another Bookmeyer crony out of city hall. He will begin serving immediately.
NIT reached out to Andy O’Brien a number of times for comment since he declared his candidacy back on August 3. O’Brien said he was “too busy” to talk. He also refused to make time to attend the only public forum offered to the voters with most of the rest of the original council candidates, held on September 13th.
The vast majority of the citizens proved again they were against Prestage. Maybe now the mayor and chamber will think twice before they back something that the majority of citizens feel will hurt our community. Good luck Mr. Adams
Congratulations Paul! The best man won, now good luck – the road ahead of you is not always going to be easy!
Maybe Adams will demand an accounting from Bookmeyer on his downtown multipurpose center head trip. Don’t forget, to make the project work, Bookmeyer has agreed to commit the city to a 30-year lease of the ice arena boondoggle, with an additional 10-year option.
The city has already spent a ton of money on the project and it hasn’t even been approved. Who the hell in business does that?
Good job Paul. I know you will do a great job for us. The establishment should take this as a sign we are fed up with them manipulating everything.
Mason city should focus on how to keep the murdering trash out of that city and protecting their citizens.
Thank God MC played their cards right!!! Never Ever let an O’Brien try 2 run something !!! Finally on the path 2 making things better!!
This is a good start!
Good job councilman Adams!. Bookmeyer and allies…you are next. Bookmeyer, the out of towner, and his lackeys are done. I suspect their arrogance will result in Bookmaker and friends running and losing badly. Bookmaker has achieved nothing in life…how he became mayor is a mystery to me. My recommendation to Bookmeyer…go back to being a bad house husband and leave running the city to real men and women.
Congratulations Paul – well done! Also congratulations to your family as well – we know you spent many hours away from them while you campaigned!
Now if Jodi Draper runs we can can start to have elected officials that are about the people. Congratulations Paul Adams. I heard Jodi was your Campaign Chair. Is she going to run?
I would vote for Mrs. Draper. My wife and I both. We live by Hickey and never understood how he ever got elected. Just Bookmeyer tricks everyone says at work. My guess is Paul Adams and Jody would stand up to him.
This is great news! Congratulations Councilman Adams! Finally our city is moving in the right direction!
Finally…a decent human being on the City Council !