On March 7th, twelve percent of voters in Mason City went to the polls regarding a relatively simple budgeting issue. Eighty-Eight percent chose apathy that is fueled by frustration and even anger. Yet, the choice of the eighty-eight percent to stay clear of the polls is very understandable. First, no one trusts the local government officials in the majority, both the elected and hired. They do not trust their motivations or their attempts at explaining a referendum issue in an unbiased and ethical manner. Of those who voted against the budget referendum, a majority of those citizens voted “No” because they have learned that the only safe ground for a citizen of Mason City is to take the opposite position of the local government majority.
In addition, it has been a very long time since we in Mason City have had a trustworthy news media outlet that we can count on to disseminate the facts and to practice the craft of unbiased journalism.
I find it incredible that we have one writer employed by our local print media, who day in and day out is allegedly providing unbiased coverage of local politics and local issues of concern having his story be page one above the fold and many times the headline, while simultaneously providing lengthy opinionated pieces relating the same issues in the Op-Ed page intending to present an even more biased position to sway voters.
Our broadcast media fairs no better with factual manipulation, pursuing the sensational sound bite piece instead of any forthright and useful factual information that allows citizens to evaluate and decide issues without feeling a suspicion of being duped again.
We now are faced with an enormously high dollar boondoggle in the shape of the self-serving mayor who named it River City Renaissance. City hall is spinning like a top to not lose “Free MONEY” from the state. Ironically, there is no such thing. Where in the hell do they think state money comes from? It is from us. We are being blessed with our own money in the form of a GRANT. There is no free money. The state cannot print money and the only sources are the normal revenue sources which are taxes that come from us to begin with.
Let us not have any more votes, or elections that put together such an inept and foolish majority to run our city into the ground. The next round of elections, make sure you get to the polls and that we are looking at 100 percent turnout and 100 percent turn-out (firing), of both the elected and hired morons of fiscal doom. Remember there is not one dollar in the budget that is “Free”.
J.W. Sayles
Mason City, Iowa
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Bravo well written article, that I also agree with.
No, no, no, no, no, no ,no. I am a true citizen of Mason City. Just say no to everything. Seems like a great way for us to grow and prosper. The mayor and council that is in place were elected by pretty wide margins and voter turnout was much higher than 12%. So if we continue to vote no on progress and lose the grant will our taxes go down? Of course they won’t . They will simply give the money to some other forward thinking community that will put it to good use.
Well, then have your elected officials come up with some worthwhile ideas.
Why is the proposal on the table not worthwhile? The hockey arena in theory will bring all kinds of different events to town. It will also get he thousands of Bulls fans into town rather than sneaking in on the west side and driving home. Again, spending money at hotels and restaurants . The hotel is private deal. The city may be donating the land, I’m not sure. The hotel will go on a parking lot that is generating zero property tax for the city. At some point the hotel would have to add to the property tax base and increase the sales tax volume. I’m sure their are questions but I’m certainly not seeing any better ideas generated here.
You are delusional. The arena will not be big enough to bring in any real events. The bulls will leave town just like the other teams that have been here. But I can tell you what will stay, a burden to the taxpayers. And more empty buildings.
the reason I voted no is as follows
1) state role back..property taxes are going to increase
2) New assessment..property taxes are again going to increase
3) I could not STAND a 3RD property tax increase in one year?
For these reasons I am called selfish and stupid. Cant I have any of my money?
The City said they would not have to tap into the new revenue stream until 2019 so you would not of had another increase until then.
And you believe them? Sucker!
2019 is when they planned to spend the money. The levy would have been on 2018 property tax. My property tax has gone up several hundred dollars a year since i purchased my house in 2008. I paid 1600 in 2009, now im paying almost 2700 just 8 years later? My property value hasnt gone up enough to justify the change. You can keep asking for more money, but once you take everything from people, there wont be any spending, which puts us right back where we started.
Voter turn out in River City is embarrassing. Not nearly as embarrassing as the clowns elected to run this city. This town should have no problems flourishing, but instead, do to poor leadership, we are sinking. Money is spent foolishly on the wrong things, the wrong people have been given the power to make the wrong decisions for the wrong reasons for us. But yet people don’t have the ambition to get to the polls and be heard. Truly sad, what we have become.
You are right on the mark Mr. Neely. For any of these ideas to work there must be population base making enough money to have disposable income. There is no point in having a concert venue that no one can afford to attend on a regular basis. Hotels for hockey fans that, for the most part, don’t stay over night. Success for turning Mason City around starts with jobs, goo d paying jobs and a lot of them. Since most of the qualified workforce has already left for greener pastures, this will be an uphill struggle that that can be accomplished with hard work and sweat not picking the tax payers pockets!
The other side of the coin is getting decent, honest, quality, passionate about our community type of people to run for Mayor and City Council. We have started, by electing Paul Adams. And, let’s be sure that we get a large voter turnout. Just look at what complacency has gotten us !
Sorry, but your opinion is pure baloney. You are obviously among those who would rather see this town wither and die. You denigrate the mayor and others for having a vision for moving the town forward that would attract growth. You want alternative print and broadcast media, but those things only come with growth. Wake the hell up!!
Great Points
Great article.
Stupidest article I have read today.
What would you know about it Kevin?