Who amongst us could’ve envisioned that when Prestage Foods entered our area, decided to focus their intent on our community… who would’ve thought that when they left they would take with them the life of a shining star?
Who would’ve thought that our own local governmental body would’ve engaged in intrigue… clandestine meetings behind closed doors. Meetings where the officials would withhold information from the very constituents that put them into their seats.
What entered our area was a military force comparable to a battalion on the battlefield. And there stood our community – victimized, ambushed by the very officials who were elected by the citizenry to do the right thing at all times… in all matters.
So how was this army turned back? It wasn’t easy when you consider the majority of those with the deciding votes were already in the ether… all except one! that one councilperson along with a small cadre working feverishly to gather those who would line up to make their wishes known… to beg for the very existence of a community that lasted for 166 years.
Now once more this same administrative body wants to trick you. Although not at the level of the pig battalion; never the less they have loaded the proposal with voodoo figures coupled with visions that have no relationship to the truth.
Slow this snake oil show down; vote no, there will be time to re-assess later. Use your strength, your vote to take control. You did it with the 67-cent tax levy, now do it again.
Peter Children
Mason City, Iowa
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They have more questions then answers on this proposed facility. They have hockey assoc questions, nobody knows that it entails to run a concert series let alone requirements from concert contracts and riders. VOTE NO WAY IN HEL_!
24 million dollars (or so) up front and then yearly tax upkeep on the arena/hotel to nowhere. Wrong at every level! This 24 million is just more tax money going down a rat hole to make the insiders promoting this arena/hotel to rich. Never would I vote for such BS.
You want to spend money and get positive results? Here is your solution!!!!!!
I will vote YES to give the 24 million dollars away to JOB CREATING INDUSTRIES to locate here in Mason City. Break it up in any amounts you want but if we offered 5 million (or so) to build and employ our local citizens at least we get NEW MONEY coming to town and meaningful jobs for our citizens.
Put people to work and create paychecks and the downtown will take care of itself. New money coming INTO town will create opportunity for entrepreneurs to start new business’s in the mall and old town
FYI: Downtown is out west on the old highway.
This is the fallacy in thinking so many in this town have. We already routinely offer up millions to companies if they were to locate here. The high paying factory jobs you all think we’re missing out on are not coming to Mason City! The workforce these types of industries require is not located in Mason City (young, diverse, educated workforce). Until we all do something about our workforce, we’ll continue to only lure low paying retail and food service industries with maybe a distribution outfit sprinkled in.
Investing in quality of life enhancing projects is one way to attract a new economy type workforce.
You are full of shit! Watchdog is spot on. There are plenty of educated people to work in the new factories we will see built in America in the coming years. You are just one of the many idiots living here that want to keep Mason City small and without opportunity for it’s citizens.
Your goofy thinking is what has held Mason City back for decades!
I agree. The young educated people will stay and more will come if there is a place for them. There are lots of workers right here that could and would work in a manufacturing plant.
It’s concerning you don’t see the fallacy in your argument here. And I know many in this town share your sentiments, which makes it all the more concerning.
Again, I ask what factories do you think will have a interest in Mason City?
For the record, the average age in the US is 37. Mason City’s average age is 41. Mason City has a aging workforce.
US percentage of people with college degrees is 32%. Only 20% of Mason City residents have a college degree. That shockingly low.
These kinds of demographics make it really hard to attract growth industries.
Your statistics are wrong. You are still full of shit. You losers that want to keep Mason City a small sleepy town need to get with a growth attitude.
The statistics are absolutely correct and I absolutely want Mason City to grow. I’m giving you intelligent answers towards this end. You are resorting to potty language and offering no real solutions.
Investing in quality of life enhancing amenities is one way a city like Mason City can start to skew their demographic profile to more favorably align with growth industries.
Absolutely correct? Liars make up statistics for the sake of their own argument. I don’t believe for one minute 37 is the average here. For many years i have been witness to the phony Mason City population numbers and statistics put out so the city can continue to receive state funding at the same level it has been.
Decades ago Mason City was in the 35000 area and growing. Now it is under 25000 but they record that its over that. Fact is this town shrank below that many moons ago and it’s still going down. Average age 37? Not hardly, the kids don’t stick around anymore as there is no money, opportunity, or decent wages here.
I told my 5 kids to get out and go where there is growth and opportunity to invest in a future. Now after being born and raised here we too are leaving as Mason City as drug houses have permeated our Northeast neighborhood. Taxes on our home have doubled! Streets are ill cared for, grass is allowed to grow way to long on city property before it gets mowed like hay, and now we have yet another city council that wants to spend more tax money with no real return to the citizens.
An ice arena and hotel are NOT bringing quality of life to Mason City citizens as a whole. It’s nothing more than a bunch of stupid elected and appointed city officials playing monopoly with our tax dollars. Hockey is a hobby for a minority of citizens and hotel/motels spring up on their own when profitable.
Watchdog has it correct when stated to put the money in job growth.
37 is the United States average, genius. Mason City is at 41. As you stated, Mason City has a aging workforce.
You keep saying to put the money towards job growth. But we already do that and it isn’t working. That is the fallacy in your argument and it amazes me that you don’t see it.
watchdog-there is another fallacy with your argument. the money that is being used for the project does not exist and is only created by the projects completion. there is no 24 million dollars to give to anyone. the funds will only exist once the project is complete via new property tax/sales tax and grant funds.
You have to be smoking your socks. This whole project is a total “tax burden” project to nowhere.
You supports will lie about anything to push this through.
your user name is ironic–you clearly do not understand the facts.
This article is total crap.
Are you and Marquart enjoying your bromance?
Jealous are you???
Why are we now waiting until November for the referendum vote?
Hey Pete, you say “Slow this snake oil show down; vote no”. Well the City Council is expected to act on the pre-development agreement with Gatehouse Capital next Thursday, May 11th. City Administrator Brent Trout has said, “If a petition is filed we (the City) will need to set the election with Gatehouse Capital Projects and Arena Lease Agreement for November 7, 2017, if no petition is filed on Gatehouse project component financing authorization then citizens will just vote on Multi-Purpose Arena Lease agreement. Our bond attorney has stated that we need to conduct the election on November 7, 2017. Given that a viable petition was filed and three possible special election dates have been bypassed we need to conduct the election at the general election”. So, when do you “vote no”?
You vote no anytime the polls are open….and you’ll come out ahead. On another note, in thr realestste section of today’s Globe there is a house listed for 1.7 million….200,000.00 more than the entire Southbridge Mall was sold for. We could have drilled a hole in the roof…filled it wilts corn and made more money than this administration will make with these proposals. VOTE NO!
Good article Peter. I wonder if they will get the message.
If you think this is a good article you are just as stupid as Children.
Oh Kevin, you are so silly!