MASON CITY – Controversial councilwoman Janet Solberg, known for linking Mason City citizens to racism in the state’s biggest newspaper, has lashed out at councilman Bill Schickel, blaming him for unpaved streets and possible wrong-doing years ago.
In a vicious social media post, Solberg threw co-councilmember and mayoral candidate Bill Schickel under the bus and told the town what she really thinks went wrong with an unfinished street paving project in the Central Heights neighborhood – namely, the fact that Mr. Schickel used to be mayor.
For years, the Central Heights neighborhood has languished and fought for what they consider is lost funds for paving streets. Allegedly, Mason City was given state funds to complete street paving projects in Central Heights – but the money was spent elsewhere. City officials say records are incomplete and can’t trace the dollars.
However, the problem has been solved through the hard work of residents in Central Heights, spear-headed by volunteers Mark and Donna Holt. They were able to recently bring residents together and get a petition signed. As now-former city administrator Brent Trout explained to NIT weeks ago:
“The Central Heights residents have submitted a petition with enough signatures for the City to move forward with preparing a special assessment project to pave the streets of Central Heights. The project is being worked through Mark Rahm on coordination of the appropriate legal work and cost estimate process. The plan is to include this project as a special assessment project for the FY 2019 budget. The City will work on completing proper legal paperwork and with completing design of the project over the winter with the intent of bidding the project for start in the summer of 2018 as and FY 2019 project. The City has done a few things to help with the cost of doing the assessment project. First we have done some changes to our normal street project design guidelines that should help lower the cost of the project. Second the City will pay for the intersections versus adding that expense to assessment amount of property owners. This decision is an optional choice of a City. The last item to help is that it is recommended that the repayment schedule for the assessments be done on a 15 year repayment schedule, which is allowed under state law. The stretching of the principle over the 15 years versus 10 years helps people to be able to afford the payments a little easier.”
So, although the problem has been solved and the town was poised to move ahead in a harmonious manner – that was apparently not good enough for Fourth Ward councilwoman Janet Solberg, who after-the-fact unleashed what she possibly intended to be a damaging social media post aimed at current councilman Schickel, who is battling two opponents to be the next mayor of Mason City.
Solberg said “I am not looking to get political on here, but as you are getting ready to vote in the upcoming election, please note who the mayor was from 1990-1993 when our money for our street paving mysteriously disappeared….then was elected mayor again from 1998 to 2002. Please get yourselves informed. This is your time to use your vote to make decisions on who represents Central Heights best interests.”
Bill Schickel was mayor during the times Solberg points to. She did not explain how Mr. Schickel may have diverted the lost funds.
Solberg, who has worked as an insurance agent, will soon be off the city council, but her time in office has been tarnished by actions such as telling the Des Moines Register she supported claims that Mason City residents are “kooks and racists.” It has also been alleged that Solberg attempted to use her council office to enrich herself by bringing her insurance agency boss to city hall to gather documents and data on the city’s insurance business, possibly to commandeer the policies for themselves. Insurance agent Solberg also fought while on the council to illegally require citizens to purchase renter’s insurance.
In my view road maintenance is a solid inquiry, many roads and alleys are hazardous, there are huge pot holes in the alley behind U.S. bank if someone drove their car in those holes there could be substantial damage, roads maintenance is a solid concern, also if people are paying for road maintenance they should be concerned why the roads are not being fixed, facts on why the roads are not being fixed need to be presented.
In effect, isn’t that why Solberg has such a rich employment history? Diverting company funds to front client insurance premiums until the client paid? Hardly someone smart enough to listen too.
SUUUUUE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE< SUUUUUEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Solberg is a giant as s we all know that. This may be the most righteous words she has ever spoken. IF it is true. Why has she waited to be honest now when it’s over? Likes to be mean.
With that we also know Schickel doesn’t run anything…HIS WIFE DOES!!!!!! Common knowledge in town.
We better start digging and asking the questions NOW!!!!!
shes a gutless pig. I mean she gas a big ol gut but bringing this up is just a way for her to get more attention. Move to your camp ground and rut around.
Solberg has been on the council for at least 8 years, representing the 4th Ward. So why was nothing done about these diverted funds and unsaved streets until after she announced she wasn’t running for the council? Seems to me she’s throwing stones while hiding in a glass house!