MASON CITY – “Why?” That’s all a Mason City wanted to know.
Long-time Mason City resident David Gilbert is a no-nonsense kind of fella. You can tell, because when he uses his Democratic right to free speech at city council meetings, he doesn’t mince words.
And it’s not easy dishing out a dose of humble pie at the public podium to the 7 statues staring back at you like deer stuck in the headlights (although one or two of them will occasionally laugh in your face with what little arrogance they can still muster).
Mr. Gilbert has been known to administer a shot of air into the veins of this cadaver of an elected body before, and boy, did he deliver an Arctic blast Tuesday night.
After first punishing the local Minnesota (Iowa, too?) TV station and the crumbling punchline Globe Gazette for shoddy news reporting, Mr. Gilbert asked some question many citizens have always wondered about but may never have actually tasked the city council with answering.
“Why? Mr. Gilbert began. “Why did we go out of town to get a police chief?” he asked. “We have good, knowledgable patrolmen here in town.” Sitting merely inches away was Police Chief Jeff Brinkley – who relocated here from Ames. He asked the same question about the hiring of the fire chief.
“Don’t we have faith in our own people? Why?”
Mr. Gilbert also asked why city hall seems to do little about an alleged “junk yard” near the downtown, why the city cannot deal with deteriorating houses, and why so many “pole barns” are being erected in the city.
45 thoughts on “Mason City man puts mayor and council on hot seat (video)”
If you have something of value to say use your real name rather than hide behind a mask. Mr. Gilbert is a Mason City native who cares about his community. I wish more people had his gusto and spoke their minds.
All this “hiring local” talk. Now Penca is heading to Arizona for twice the job he would have had here. Plus we lose his wife, a teacher, and their children. Way to go MCCSD! Good luck to him and his family, I’m a bit jealous.
Dam. I wanna see cage match. Gilbert versus Weaver versus McCourt. This was some good sh*t. Brutal.
Reminds me of that cranky old goat with the beard who lived in a shack that was torn down to make room for the new Good Shepherd condos and the relocated Egloff house Seems like every project has a few outspoken critics but In the end progress prevails.
All a bunch of idiots bitch bitch bitch why don’t you all run for Mayor or Council then.This town is full of stuck in the mud people,and you wonder why no good companies want to relocate here.Gilbert you say you have lived here 30-40 years what have you done positive for this community,looks like not much when all you do is find the Negative.
Time after time, meeting after meeting the issue of Code enforcement comes up. The politicians sit their and hang their heads, take some notes, offer an excuse or two and nothing gets done.
They don’t have the funds or resources for enforcement. They hava all been used up on hotel blueprints.
He made a lot of good points. The council can’t do anything about our town’s crappy media. If they could this website would have been shut down years ago. What junk yard in town is he referring to? My guess is the Hardy mess on Monroe. The council needs to get tough on run down properties and code violations. If they aren’t going to enforce our laws what good are they?
Pink, I think I’ll paint the ceiling pink.
I don’t understand why he brings up the local television station. Is the city council supposed to govern free enterprise now?
Agreed. Some of his issues were legitimately within the scope of the MC management. Media complaints and a few other topics spoke to his personal frustrations and were not relevant to the conversation Tuesday evening. He got all wound up and started throwing wild pitches.
Can’t win with cranky old codgers like this. If the Chief of Police would’ve come from within he’d be bitching that there is no new blood in the police force.
I’ve met Brinkley. He’s a good man and MC is lucky to have him.
You are correct….I really did not realize a tin, poll Morton building would or could be built in the backyard of my Briarstone neighborhood!!! Was unaware this was zoned as industrial! Another good reason to sell and LEAVE, Mason City!!! Sad day….I can ONLY hope, along with thebuilding of these cheap looking tin buildings that are being built behind established neighborhoods, are a requirement that would include landscaping!!! My property taxes went up but my actual sale price may have went down!!!!! Once again, council has more of an investment in the downtown than neighborhoods!!!!
The next time you are unhappy with the content or amount of coverage from the print, broadcast or radio news media, including NIT, your comments should be brought before the Mason City Mayor and Council. Gilbert was on a roll and some comments were off the wall and out of line.
I noticed the same thing and wondered why he felt a city council meeting was the place to bring up his concerns with media biases? Just one of many examples of how Mason City Council meetings are a multi ringed circus show and one of the reasons businesses are deterred form investing in Mason City.
He brought it up because it looks like kimt, and the globe are aiding city council with hiding factual information about events and projects. Their bias is obvious, and he asked the right people. Corruption comes in all forms, sometimes people dont even realize they are participating in the behavior.
Whining about media bias is the new generation political correctness. Choose your news wisely as alternative facts abound in todays political climate.
Because Gilbert is straight edged!! That’s just toooooooo sweet!
Bookmeeker makes ’em hire out of town ’cause he burned all his bridges with the locals for one reason – they got to know him! And he figured out they don’t trust him and won’t be his lap doggies! So he tries to start over with foreigners who he can manipulate and make attack citizens he doesn’t like. A temporary solution for one reason – they get to know him too! Bahahaha! Bye Eric!
Bravo to David Gilbert……
Yeah and not once did he use the word ilk or talk about his balls. Or even going on a buying trip for junk. How refreshing, bravo indeed.
I agree!!! Way too many run down buildings! Way too many trashy yards that aren’t cleaned! Way too much focus on the new motel downtown! I agree with Mr. Gilbert, why now when we could have been openly involved last summer instead of last minute rushing?? I live over by Briartstone and now I have a cheap looking, insurance Morton building in my back yard!!! Why??? It had better be landscaped!! Why is our city who wants to attract new, young home owners, allow cheap, tacky Morton buildings in a residential neighborhood??! I’m very very disappointed.
I feel sorry for the people who just built a brand new house right behind the Farm Bureau pole barn. At least they don’t have many windows to look out.
I also live by briarstone, the area bordering the neighborhood is zoned commercial. If you dont like it, you shouldnt have purchased property so close to industrial park.
If you want this type of building to be stopped, you need to talk to the City Council. They are the only ones who can approve an ordinance to stop it.
And we all know how effective city council is.
Max would not be letting this crap go unnoticed either
he covers for hardy slums
Eloquent. Spirited. Classy. Bold. Gutsy. Real leadership by this gentleman. Something MC has lacked for years. Love the way he stood up there and dished out the ‘humble pie’ as Matt said.
Trumped out of office – Typical demorat lies – Trump has been in office 2 months and these crony demorat public servants are blaming him for chit that the crooked democratic party has been pulling for 30 years – wise up to the rats.
Don’t get your underwear in such a bunch. You guys ripped Obama for 8 years on every move he made and that was OK but oh my “Don’t take bad about Trump or we will cry”
Toughen up a bit and quit be so defensive, it is going to be a long 4 years if you don’t……….
Nobody ripped Obama…and he has been placed in history as the worst president ever. The media is on a witch hunt for Trump though
“Nobody ripped Obama”
How delusional can you possibly get?
You sound just like that stupid old coot.
Obama was actually so stupid as President he brought on all the negativism and barrage of badgering comments on himself.
On the other hand Trump is doing for America what has NEEDED to be done for so long that he is getting now badgered for doing what is best for America. And Trump is intelligent and savvy in business and is creating jobs.
Big difference between Obama and Trump. Obama has a negative legacy and Trump doesn’t and probably won’t.
Dave Gilbert for mayor!
Bookmeyer was an “outsider”, and he has worked out great! Said no one ever!!
Hiring people from within? Not a terrible idea, but doesn’t that lead to inbreeding? I’m sure we all reminisce about good ol days when we hired police chief from our own ranks..it turned into a good ol boys club. It doesn’t hurt that we bring in different ideas with a police chief that comes from an outside agency.
Hiring from outside has the advantage of bringing in outside perspectives and ideas. Additionally, many who are on the “inside” have, for lack of a better term, baggage. Baggage that would impede their ability to lead a team or garner respect from those working under them. Insiders also may find it difficult not to show favoritism to a former co-worker.
Sorry, but that’s the way the world works-especially in the public sector.
I agree with you. But whatever happened to the idea that you could start at the bottom and work your way up? I guess if you want to move up you gotta move out!
Or buy Eric a drink. Or six.
One or two well developed points would have gone much further than a rambling, scolding lecture.
Could not agree more. This sounded more like the rantings of a madman. There were a few good points made, but they were lost in the long string of incoherent rambling.
Someone got scolded last night. It’s ok, you looked pistol-whipped the whole time. Jesus forgives you.
??? If anyone looks pistol whipped its because anyone of average intelligence was in awe of the incoherent drivel coming out of this guys mouth. How do you respond to the rants of a madman which clearly have no relation to the city council meeting at hand???
Today’s belief that only “outsiders” can do the job. Look at what the school board did to Mike Penca. We have dedicated, quality people in MC but nobody trusts an “insider”. It’s idiotic and wrong. Hire good people from within who have prepped for the job, in the community for years. In short, they all got “Trumped” out of office. And we can all see how well that’s going for us…