To the Editor,
Since it’s inception, the Renaissance Project had one core mantra. No city tax dollars would go toward the project. However, the community has already spent over one million dollars on its inception. Mayor Schickel, and John Lee both participated in a Mason City Yes campaign video promoting it. At the end of the video Bill tells us that the project would be done, “with no new property tax increase!” Fast forward to this January’s state of the city address. Bill espouses, that if the Renaissance project, “does not cash flow, taxes will rise!” John Lee expressed at a recent city council meeting that he has the formula that will tell the community how much their property taxes will rise. This obfuscation is why people get angry when elected officials display, such deception. The Renaissance Project was built on, and presented with duplicity, and prevarication from the beginning. If the myriad of people supporting RP have not been truthful concerning our tax dollars, what other falsehoods have they told us? In the last election cycle for city council some candidates promised “transparency!” However, that is not what the community has received. The arena is now officially a roll of the dice. When I asked Tom Thoma recently, if he could guarantee no tax money would go toward the arena he replied, “nothing is guaranteed!” However, he is wrong, if the arena collapses financially it is guaranteed that the community will subsidize it, and make no mistake, “taxes will rise!”
Phillip Sanchez
Mason City, Iowa
The Mayor of Mason City claimed there were going to be 200 jobs created by this project. 100 jobs at the start of the project and 100 permanent jobs when finished paying $90,000 each. I went to city hall and asked about the 200 job openings I was told there is no job openings or applications available. I asked for any information on projects that are open for bidding and was told that there are no projects in mason city now I asked for the bidding schedule for the $40,000,000 mall project. I was told that the only part of that plan finished was the demolition portion and it was already bid and awarded.
Maybe Jesus spoke to Shikel and told him to lie? All you dumbasses voted for these idiots so what are you complaining about? Lee is penny wise and pound foolish. He needs to stick to teaching – that’s about as far as his intellect goes.
when its all done and said, your A-hole is gunna go from o to 0
BOYCOTT anything to do with this facility, including the businesses that posted VOTE YES
I grew up here and I’m ashamed of this city, it’s a shell of its better days. We are closing two businesses this spring and relocating them elsewhere. When our Sheriff’s and Couty Attorneys get sued for 260k and lose on a fraudulent warrant they changed and issued, it’s time to go.
That sheriff’s department needs a complete overhaul of personal, VOTE PALS OUT. and take Hepperly with you.
Mason City is the most corrupt city in the State of Iowa. Rotten to the core. I don’t blame anyone for getting out of this shit hole. If it weren’t for obligations we would be gone also. Someday!
Just like the US since Russia put Wally Bonespurs in office.
From it’s law enforcement to it’s judges to it’s city council corrupted to the core. We are gone in June. Fed up with liars.
Selling my house hopefully here in a few weeks, my brother is posting his for sale soon as well. My dad is debating on selling everything and coming with. The downtown nonsense was just the final straw for me. I’ve lived here my whole life, it will be sad to go, but I won’t waste anymore of my taxes on a town incapable of being logical with improvements. I pay over 4k a year in property tax, and I do not feel I’m getting my moneys worth.
Now you know why we sold out and left town!
MANY are going to follow you. Everyone accept MC Youth Hockey that is.
Well spoken Phil!!!!
I grew up with you in your neighborhood and worked with you years ago……. couldn’t agree more!
Imagine that! Slick Willie and little John lied!!!! I couldn’t agree more….they ALL need to go for the better of Mason Cities taxpayers because none of them are honest including the good witch Robin! They have and continue to rip the taxpayers off for personal pet projects and personal gain. How long has this been brought to your attention? How long will YOU THE TAXPAYERS put up with there lies and deception????
Bait and Switch at it’s finest
Special interest whiners rule Mason City
This is the biggest con-job I have ever seen in this city and I have seen a lot of them. Them whole council should be impeached for lying to the taxa payers.