Opinion: A lesson in truth for John Skipper

Dear John,

Let’s sweep all the bullshit off the table and let’s invite the unvarnished truth into the room and give it a seat. The reason I suggested that is because it sure in the hell wasn’t in the room Tuesday night at the council meeting.

Gatehouse’s representative, David Rachie stepped up to the podium Tuesday night and whipped up a large bowl of frosting and then piped it directly into the ass of all six councilpersons. Seriously, have you ever seen a pastry chef at work? Have you seen them fill a piping-bag then blast it’s content all over an unsuspecting cake? That is exactly what happened at Tuesday night’s conclave.

This “big boy” and I mean that literally, really wasn’t selling a hotel…..no he was selling a siding job. He wants to sheath City Hall with aluminum siding. Keep in mind that every word he uttered is on tape, or should I say a CD. Listen carefully John; this guy went on record with outlandish promises, promises he can’t possibly know nor begin to deliver. Do you actually believe Rachie is clairvoyant, that he can see clearly into the future…..is that what you believe? He blatantly promised a convention every weekend with a minimum of 600 people plus two smaller events of around two hundred during the middle of each week. Even with the director of Visit Mason City Lindsey James’ endorsement, one has to wonder, where have these promised smaller conventions been up until now? We have the facilities to do this now.

How nice… John, John!! Wake up! What are you thinking?

I know you’re smart… give me a couple minutes to figure this out. OK….got it.

There it was right in front of me but…..in my haste I overlooked it. This closer had already assessed this council; in front of him sat the 6 people who are going to drop $12.5 million into a building they don’t own… and pay 5 million dollars to lease it back. These are people who believe in the real Santa Claus who keeps his sleigh in Bookmeyer’s garage, and this same council is convinced that Eric Bookmeyer knows what he’s doing. Rachie was simply playing to what he thought was their level of mentality.

As long as we have got the truth here we might as well use it. I always found it to be quite refreshing in any setting. When Gatehouse first entered the fray, Janice Solberg, Travis Hickry along with Brent Schoneman all supported G8 because Bookmeyer favored it. Trout also supported G8. At that time Trout along with most of the city staff recommended G8 the developer from California.

Then over the course of two days, March 16 and 17th, something happened. Something big.  Days that will live in infamy.  A real-life cou-de-ta. Everything turned around.

Enter now Robin Anderson.   Executive Director of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce.  Some say she introduced David Rachie to Mason City – is she the “friend of a friend” that brought him here?  Many think so.  On those days of infamy, Robin Anderson, with the help of four council members, jumped and mugged Bookmeyer and wrestled the keys to city hall from his tight fists as he cowered in the corner.  She introduced Gatehouse development who brought an entirely different perspective to the table. Suddenly the main player shifted….Bookmeyer was out, way out and Robin Anderson moved to the number one power broker spot.

He was beaten into submission and gave up his years-long pursuit of G8, as it is now ousted from the Renaissance project.

Now for a scary thought.  Robin Anderson is now in charge of the $38 million River City Renaissance with Gatehouse development.  Robin has never been elected to any office – ever.  As of March 16-17, her thumbprint is all over the development.  Literally reviewing the plans from Dean Snyder Construction, who’s in charge of the project.  Evidently with Rachie’s permission.

So folks the problem even gets bigger.  Are you following along, John?

When you find out who’s riding shotgun with Robin, it’ll frighten you, John.

Now enter one Barb Hovland.  Status-seeker extraordinaire.  She wants to dig deep – very deep – into the pockets of the citizens of Mason City for a third bailout of Music Man Square.   Don’t believe her when she says “no public dollars” to save the Square.

Meanwhile, back at the mancave, perched in his wife’s basement in the Glen, wounded Eric is feeling the heat.  Gary Schmidt of North Iowa’s most powerful construction company – Henkel Construction –  comes a calling.  Influential people who have sizable investments in the Chodur hotel lean on Eric to make sure that the development gets done.

Are you still with me John?  Have you called your “sources” to check this out?  Why are you making an 83-year-old man do your work?

Peter Children
Mason City, Iowa

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