Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
I’m back on the statue debacle. I just can’t shake this. It annoys me. I feel cheated, and I feel like my fellow citizens as a whole were cheated, by city hall and the people inside masquerading as “leaders.”
(PHOTO: I didn’t get the feeling that Dr. Jay Lala and Robin Anderson were happy to see me Tuesday afternoon as they selected locations for their statues that we paid for. Click photo for larger view.)
These people are not leaders. They are lackeys. The are the pilots and crew members of a ship hijacked by Robin Anderson and the Chamber of Commerce. The rest of us are the frightened passengers with our headphones on, sound asleep and slumped over, as the ship we call Mason City hurtles through time and space.
The hijackers are going through your purses, wallets, pocketbooks as you sleep.
The pilots – Bookmeyer, his assistant Brent Trout, and six council members – are there to make sure the charade continues and to keep you asleep and disinterested.
They are, so far, masters of this game. We are their pawns. We go to work, we pay taxes, and they take the money and spend it how they see fit.
As we all slept, $40,ooo hard earned dollars were taken from us – public money – to put art in front of rich people’s businesses on Federal Avenue.
Anderson was there directing the show Tuesday, picking out locations for her free art that we paid for.
(PHOTO: Robin Anderson of the Chamber of Commerce. She can freely have her projects which public money is spent on added to city council work session agendas and within a week have them approved 6-0 by the Mason City Council.)
City staff was there, taking time out of their day to assist. We pay their wages, but that day, they worked for Robin.
Local business owners along Federal Avenue – Robin’s neighbors – were there too. They have taken tens of thousands – and in some cases millions – of dollars in local, state or federal money, to help build their fortunes.
Well, they got $40,000 more for art while we dozed. The rich get richer.
Even more sadly, according to Iowa law, the excess hotel/motel tax Brent Trout found for Robin could have been spent on an endless list of more-deserving projects.
Go ahead and look at the code and leave your suggestions or ideas for what excess hotel/motel taxes could or should be spent on as our ship travels onward.
You have to, because the council and mayor will not bring any ideas forward themselves, and apparently only the Chamber of Commerce will lead and bring anything forward.
Let’s wake up and take our town back.
———–
Iowa Code 423 A 4
4. The revenue derived from any local hotel and motel tax
authorized by section 423A.4 shall be used as follows:
a. Each county or city which levies the tax shall spend at
least fifty percent of the revenues derived therefrom for the
acquisition of sites for, or constructing, improving, enlarging,
equipping, repairing, operating, or maintaining of recreation,
convention, cultural, or entertainment facilities including but not
limited to memorial buildings, halls and monuments, civic center
convention buildings, auditoriums, coliseums, and parking areas or
facilities located at those recreation, convention, cultural, or
entertainment facilities or the payment of principal and interest,
when due, on bonds or other evidence of indebtedness issued by the
county or city for those recreation, convention, cultural, or
entertainment facilities; or for the promotion and encouragement of
tourist and convention business in the city or county and surrounding
areas.
b. The remaining revenues may be spent by the city or county
which levies the tax for any city or county operations authorized by
law as a proper purpose for the expenditure within statutory
limitations of city or county revenues derived from ad valorem taxes.
c. Any city or county which levies and collects the local
hotel and motel tax authorized by section 423A.4 may pledge
irrevocably an amount of the revenues derived therefrom for each of
the years the bonds remain outstanding to the payment of bonds which
the city or county may issue for one or more of the purposes set
forth in paragraph “a”. Any revenue pledged to the payment of
such bonds may be credited to the spending requirement of paragraph
“a”.
Her house may be on a golf course (Mason City Iowa wow) but she still wears fake pearls. In the summer.
@Observer: Slippery Slope much?
@ Robin Anderson: When’s the last time you had Cindy’s Cleaning over to clean that big golf community house of yours? Can you send them over to my house for just one week? I’m just too busy to clean since I’m…actually working!
Ms. Anderson’s backyard is literally on the Country Club golf course and is valued at just under a half million dollars. I don’t think we’ll ever get her to see things the way the rest of Mason City does.
” ….and we need to eliminate the “garbage” coming in from Detroit and Chicago, we could have made a change there as well.”
We also need to exclude the blue eyed Germans who pollute our community with brats and liverwurst. Or the Olive Oil & Garlic crowd who want to replace your Cream of Mushroom soup with something that has taste.
Why not take a page from Mr. Vander Platt’s playbook and exclude all gays from the community? The heck with the Constitution, freedom, liberty and due process for all!
The community would be better off if we excluded all THOSE kind of people!
But when questions arise about jobs and new companies investing in the community, I shall be around to remind you of your self-serving, narrow-minded policy of exclusion.
@Observer: If the blue-eyed Germans create a gang called BEG (no pun intended) and start stabbing people and fighting at local bars beating people to death with their bratwurst then by all means lets run them outta town. If the gay community starts marking their territory with their gangsta signs and painting rainbows all over area buildings and bringing out their concealed weapons, then lets eliminate them too. If the olive oil and garlic gang starts spreading their olive oil all over the streets and causes a bunch of accidents and the whole city reeks of garlic, then lets eliminate them. My comments are not biased by racism, color, creed, sex or religion, just simple facts about seeing the beginnings of organized groups in Mason City coming in from larger cities. They were supposed to be taking their “second chance in life” by coming to the quaint Iowa communities, but it doesn’t appear that way.
Now let’s get back on topic, shall we?
Lala is flipping the people of Mason City the bird. I could not believe my eyes looking at that picture.
Lala has disgraced himself in front of the community over these stupid statues and inappropriate expenditure of tax money.
It is really sad that you took your opinions on the statue issue and turned it into a rag piece with the photo. Plenty of people scratch their face like that and you can easily take an unflattering photo of most of us. Devolving into making fun of someone’s shirt?
Come on, be a big boy and stick to the facts. You can call it “brutal honesty” but all it is taking cheap shots at people on your blog. Choose a higher road.
Mason City residents this is your fault!!! Had 30+ people showed up to the city council meeting that night, we wouldn’t have statues going up in central park while our police department runs short on labor. But they’ll never know because you didn’t speak up!
Had 30+ people showed up when the Park Inn was decided on that supposedly brings $1 million in tourist dollars to Mason City when all I see is a bunch of 70 year old grandmas taking pictures of what used to be popular 50 years ago, we could have changed this as well. But they’ll never know because you didn’t speak up!
Had 30+ people showed up when city sanitation was being discussed, this could have changed. Had 30+ people showed up to the meeting when additional businesses were considering coming to Mason City or downtown improvements were being discussed or jobs were needed in Mason City or the crime rate is going up in Mason City and we need to eliminate the “garbage” coming in from Detroit and Chicago, we could have made a change there as well. But they’ll never know because YOU DIDN’T SPEAK UP!
What really REALLY perturbs me about this is… whatever happened to Central Park??? It used to be a wonderful shady place to take your lunch break 35 years ago. I have very fond memories of going to Hamilton Business College and walking over at lunch time. Used to be so nice… I can understand the WWII Memorial. But, what are these statues of, and why do we ‘get’ to pay for them sight unseen?!? Can we clutter it up some more? Oh, and can we please get somebody to butcher some of the trees with a chainsaw, maybe some bears and an eagle, or maybe a dentist giving the finger…?
Amelia, I will agree with this, and wondered if anyone else would have taken notice. Central Park is themed with remembering those of our community who over the years gave their lives to support freedom.
Gauche works of art would be out of place in that setting.
Max, we need you back!
You probably would have lost this vote, but at least it wouldn’t have been a 6-0 whitewash vote
Matt: You are totally right on with the debacle! There is no limit to the insane ideas they come up with to throw away money for some well connected players while (this time) simultaneously ruining the park. Someone should check into the possibility of a legal basis for a class action suit to stop this. I would be willing to contribute.
I’ll contribute.
Wow. I thought Dr. Lala had more class than that. I guess I was wrong. Time to take my business elsewhere I guess.
Thanks Matt
I appreciate your clarification of the Joe Butt and Dave Hansen situation. Brutal honesty is a good thing and I salute you but not in the same fashion as Lala! He may have a green roof but his porch light is out.
I truly hope the customers of Central Park Dentistry really reflect on this picture and the one from the other day. He is a business professional. 2X he has flipped Mr. Marquardt off for doing what was in his LEGAL and moral right to do. Well folks, you may not look at it this way but he’s really flippin all of us taxpayers off. Matt is doing nothing but working for us and bringing the story to the taxpayer. Lala obviously doesn’t like that and doesn’t want that. So Matt is representing us and our interests and this is the response from Mr. Professional. He is spitting in our faces. Hmm, I pretty disappointed if his customers don’t see it that way. But it IS WHAT IT IS. You can make every excuse for him you want but Matt was doing nothing more than taking a picture. I guess I would expect that sort of response from a teenager not from a Doctor. I’m glad he’s not MY doctor. More importantly, I’m really glad that’s not my father or my boss. I’d be ashamed if it was. Classy huh.
GEEK SQUAD !!! 1st clue of what we are dealing with is Mr. Finger. Cl-ass. Hawaiian print shirts are like OVER a looong time ago even at the slight chance it is a Tommy B. 2nd clue the man/woman. 3rd gould possibly be that cheap thing around Robin’s neck, who wears that? This may be an indicator of what the art will look like. Of course the obvious would be the outrageous LOOKS on their faces, that’s not art imitating life or is it? I smell big fat jealousy of where the great art in town is, all home grown from our citizens too. You know who Robin.
Hey Matt, Dr. Lala thinks your the #1 news source in North Iowa!!!!!! 🙂
When I went to the city council meeting the night they voted on the art. I an only 1 other person talked about not wanting the art. I know are voices don’t matter to the council but it was very disappointing that more people were not there. I can’t believe a business man would act this way in public!!! If he were my dentist I would never go to him again. I’m sure he and others think this is funny. People, they are taking our money right and left and giving us the finger to boot. How much longer do we have to put up with this my answer is until we get out and vote when the time comes.
Does it look like Dr. LaLa is giving Matt the finger in the picture used in this article?
Well it seems that DR Lala must know the trio from the YMCA.. Oh MY!
I have been thinking a lot about how I feel about this statue project and I really cannot find the words to express my feelings. It is a WASTE of money! If they want statues downtown then why not talk to some local artist and use the talent we have right here. The downtown business and chamber can pay for them. Now what would I do with the taxpayers money? I would put the money into our parks, bike trails and some sort of indoor athletic arena. The youth need things to do that are low cost or free and the parents need to demand it. My question to you is… Is this how you want you’r money spent? Is there something we can do to demand our money back and have it spent the way we would like it too? I think we should protest this at the next city council meeting. Anyone with me?
Did you vote last election?
I have voted in every election sence I was 18. I own my own home, a taxpayer and try to volunteer in the community as much as I can. I really am appalled at what our city leaders have been up too.
Damn straight then! I’m with you 100%. I’m in the same situation as you. We need to get everyone else that DOESN’T vote to understand that is the ONLY way we are going to make change. I don’t believe that protesting at a council meeting is going to do anything UNLESS there is a LARGE turnout. Still then there’s no getting the money back. But, it will raise some eyebrows. Only one problem, most people only complain and do not act. Everyone was up in arms here about the statues. One person (Sandy) maybe two spoke against them that night. There was a small crowd from what it looked like to me. Too many doing too little.
Interesting… I would have much rather seen this money spent on a more deserving project. We REALLY need to clean house…VOTE THESE BUMS OUT!!! VOTE!
About time for another ra ra editorial from the beavis and buttwhiller gazette telling how wonderful everything is in Ozz.
Joe Butt isn’t with the Globe any more. He was let go during some restructuring. If Im not mistaken NIT ran an article soon after that he and Dave Hansen from KIMT took them on as a “contributors” to NIT.
Neither Joe Buttweiler nor Dave Hansen are contributors here at NIT any longer. They could not take the heat in our war room. I’ll take Jody and Kelly and the rest of my team any day. How’s that for brutal honesty?
And why does Robin always have that 1989 Batman movie Jack Nicholson as the joker smile on her face?! Good lord! That’s a face only a mother could love. She looks like she needs to have a Proctologist with her and not a dentist.
Why the harshness? Cause the beotch is stealing from us. Period.
You are a very angry and spiteful person.
Coming from a jackass like you. Lol. Thank you!
Wow, how professional Dr. Lala. I’m glad I use Nettleton Dental Group for my dental care. One should expect more out of you but I hope the community is watching now that your true professionalism is shining thru. Way to go Champ.
Take note customers, this is the grown up you trust in your mouth. I wouldn’t let him in my dog’s mouth. What a jackass.
I take that back, I would let him in my dog’s mouth. Or should I put it, I’d let the dog take a chunk out of his ass.
How about some parking to get to the “plaza” that no one is able to get to because of where it is…I notice when I drive by most of the time it is empty so the statues are going to be lonely
How about some GOOD bike trails that dont lead you out into nowhere with a 25 mph wind, sand vollyball or badmitten courts in or around east park, some decent lighting on the northend so they can see who they are shooting at, as mentioned before the horrific fairgrounds, some family oriented things to do, not all this BS for the elite or wanabe elite.
I vote, I send messages to mayor and council people. Nothing happens, most council have never once responded to a respecful e-mail from me…….. Ms. Solberg not once. Mayor responds with the same canned message each time. No changes. But I can take my business elsewhere. I’m sure another town would like the tax money. If others would do the same maybe they would wake up.
I used to respect Jay but as of now I will be taking my business elsewhere. Its just another example of the attitude of a few of the self proclaimed elite in MC toward the blue collar community. So to close Jay you can KMA.
Well people it’s only will get worst …you have to vote next year …you will need a plan to get people to the polls …I have a very large SUV and can carry 8 people ….I live in the country but willing to travel to get what needs to be done …
Wow, that’s a great picture, Matt!
Keep up the good work, you can be the next Michael Moore. I don’t know where he disappeard to, but I sure do miss him.
Who’s Michael Moore?
Farenheit 911, Bowling for Columbine, Sicko, Capitalism: A Love Story, The Big One – check one out – documentaries.
This whole thing is a joke. Money that needed to go elsewhere in the community. There are numerous things that need attention and the city spends 40 grand on statues for a downtown that no one cares about!
Stay classy Mason City!
Thats quite professional Mr. Lala..
Dr. Lala held his finger in that position for some time. The picture from yesterday has everyone else in a different position than this picture. Interesting.
Most citizens probably already know what these scandalous idiots are doing but maybe the citizens dont want to speak up because of retaliation. Here’s a small example: A friend of mine emailed Brent Trout one year about all the snow the plow drivers were intentionally leaving piled up on his mailbox to a point where he couldn’t get his mail. Trout emailed him back and said there’s nothing he can do about it pretty much said ‘Put up or shut up’. after that the plow drivers honked/flipped him off while he was out shoveling and piled even more snow on his mail box.
Excellent article Matt. I have wantedto say that for years and don’t have the words. Now maybe you understand why after 60 plus years I am somewhat burnt out on complaining. It has always been this way and up to now when had no one to support the common taxpayer. Don, Max and Jeff did their best for years but were always blocked by the haves. They have no regard for the taxpayer what so ever and never have. Maybe now we can put on enough pressue they will listen. If we could just get people to VOTE.
First we have to find good people to run for elected office.
The Globe Gazette and the elite treat people so badly that no one will step forward that is of good character and will work to conserve our tax money.
Sorry, Matt! I just can’t help myself…
“Iowa code shows hotel/motel tax surplus could have went elsewhere.”
Should read “…could have GONE elsewhere.” (And I DO agree with your stance on this.)
I have no control over this irresistible urge to be a grammar Nazi. It controls ME. 🙂
I could not agree more! Bertha Starkus would have thrown that headline back in your face and assigned an “F” for not knowing any better!!! HAHA
Alright. You got me. The headline sucked. I changed it a little. I’ll take the “F” on that one. 🙂
You’re a big man. :-))
What gives this group the right to pick the spots anyway?
A couple of them should not be on a committee like this they cannot even handle their own finances!
Funny… we could probably facilitate more visitors to mason city with a new soccer facility for our youth than statues. You could replace “soccer” with baseball, football or hockey. We don’t come close to competing with Ankeny, Waverly, etc. in this regard, and we aren’t close. Anyone with elementary / middle school kids involved in sports knows what I’m talking about. No one will travel here for what we have to offer…
Looks like the $ could have went to the fairgrounds.
Or any kind of indoor playground for those days when the kids have way to much energy to be inside but its raining. Stinks this town don’t have one anymore……anyone remember the one that had laser tag as well?
Hi Matt, you are truly right on this issue. if you read it SHALL not maybe or could, it means it Must. I went thru that when I was on the Park Board for 5 years. The citizens of Mason City are getting screwed by the ones that are handling our money. I am sure the Park Board could use some extra money for recreation etc. These people just don’t care, and the citizens just don’t know whats going on, or don’t want to change it.
Kind of on the same note, where did the money come from that bought the vacuum machine that the park dept uses to vacuum up the cigarette butts in front of Laradoes and the rest of the plaza. I didn’t know that the plaza was a park. I heard that the park dept doesn’t have money to buy tires for their trucks. That $40000.00 dollars would have bought a couple of tires.