MASON CITY – Ward 1 Councilman of Mason City John Lee announced this weekend he will seek a third term on the city council.
Lee, a history teacher, made the announcement via social media:
It’s been almost 8 years that I decided to run for City Council. I’ve always seen what Mason City can be, truly one of the premier large towns in the Midwest. Over the past eight years, I have been part of a city who has slowly started believing in itself and pulling from the same end of the rope. Mason City is only beginning to see its full potential.
Just in 2019, Mason City has over 100 million new investment; a large expansion by Kraft foods, a new business in the Bushel Boys, a new Arena, hotel/convention center, Apartment complex, development in the old SouthPort, a new music Pavilion to be built, Music Man having another run on broadway. This is only the beginning.
Mason City has a long ways to go. However, with the Mayor, City Administrator Burnett, the current council, the experience of your staff, but most importantly, the citizens of Mason City who have continually worked to make this a great place to live and visit, you can continue to make great strides.
If the citizens of Ward 1 and Mason City see that I warrant another four years, I would humbly enjoy representing them for another four years. So I am proud and excited to announce my candidacy for Ward 1, City Councilman of Mason City.
” I’ve always seen what Mason City can be, truly one of the premier large towns in the Midwest.”
First and foremost, Mason City is NOT a large town. Davenport is a large town. So is Sioux City, Waterloo, Iowa City. Council Bluffs, Ames…need I go further?
It is fact that since 1970, the population of Mason City has declined. From 30,379 to 27,093. Hardly a growing concern.
Next, Mr. Lee follows the pied piper, Robin Anderson, down a path of a mythical world. A world that ignores the needs of the many, and burdens them for the whimsical delusions of a few.
In one breath, champions an expensive project that would knowingly serve only a minority of people, then, tacitly supports people in our community who strive to degrade it for personal gain¹.
He does not display leadership qualities, but those of an animal displaying Pavlovian response. Real leaders know, one cannot put the cart before the horse. Meaning, without building a sustainable job base², the community cannot afford expensive amenities. Real leaders do not ignore an entire segment of the community as if they didn’t exist.
Our City needs people that will represent it’s citizens with an independent mind. One that strives to meet the immediate needs of the many, with prudence, while pursuing ideas which leads to our community growing again.
¹ One of these people, while screeching loudly against an economic proposal because of supposed environmental concerns, then turns around and operates an illegal dump. A facility ignored by the City and it’s leaders for years. Operates sub-standard housing, again in plain view of those who are supposed to regulate compliance, on behalf of it’s citizens.
² Sustainable jobs are those which pay enough to support a household, and contribute to the economy of the community.
his wife told him he had to run, she makes all the decissions
Sorry to hear this….
He should be run out of town
I’d like to see one of you people run…. put your money where your mouth is, quit bitching and do something or STFU
You must either be John, or a friend of his. How about running yourself. And because of the 1st Amendment, we don’t have to STFU.
I could care if he runs or not. Get off the sidelines and quit being a bitch, like all the douche bags that bitch on here and do nothing to help the city.
I AGREE
Most of the bottom feeders here are NIT Pickers
John forgot to say ” Ive spent a lot of your money that could have been spent in better ways”
WHY!
John Lee in 2018.
Mason City Councilman John Lee: “I do not see myself running again”
“I have been telling anyone who asked, I do not see myself running again.”
“I really plan on walking away.”
Lee thinks eight years is enough. “It was good enough for George Washington,” he said. “I think all politicians should do that.”
Hmmm, looks like John doesn’t mean what he says…imagine that.
Citations? Not saying you’re lying, but just putting quotation marks around something doesn’t make it true.
No, it’s true, he did say that. Looks like he’s changed his mind.
Please don’t run we need change!
One thing is for certain. Mason City needs to reinvent it’s landscape. Oh, the good old days. People were much happier when MC was the hustle and bustle of Northern Iowa. Now it’s dead as a door nail. A shell of it’s former self. But so are a lot of other places around the area. The 70’s in MC were way cool. Money was everywhere.