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.
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?
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.
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 article.