News
Jason Jones is the “Master Balloonist” at the upcoming Hot Air Affair in Cameron, May 30-June 1, and has the “sport” in his DNA.
A long-time Iowa native, Jones grew up in Indianola, Iowa, for many years the home of the National Hot Air Balloon competition, which brought dozens of balloons to that...
Cameron's Brand: "Crossroads of the Nation"Tag line: Turning Setbacks into Comebacks"
Shannon Christensen's questions to me last night were directed at how I wrote up the stories detailing what occurred in the two most recent City Council meetings, where her presentations about her rebranding...
This was what we originally printed and posted.
See Christensen's rebranding proposal below...
MCLAUGHLIN FILES WEEKENDER
“38…”
not for print publication
No, I didn’t see seashells forming the number “38” on the beach.
Thirty Eight is a special number to Katie and I as May 17 is our 38th anniversary. We were married in Mt. Ayr, Iowa by a pastor, Ed Kayl, who would become Bishop of the...
In the May 5 regular Council Meeting, fireworks erupted between "Rebrand Cameron" proponent Shannon Christensen and Council member Mark Carr. We have detailed the interchange between Christensen and Carr, and also documented an incident between Christensen and Carr at the end of a previous Council...
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THE MCLAUGHLIN FILES
5/15/2025
Using the “Think Method” to Rebrand Cameron
When Shannon Christensen began her enthusiastic and “visionary” campaign to “rebrand Cameron”, she brought a comprehensive and organized package to the City Council.
We printed it on the web page,...
City Council Meeting Features routine and fireworks
By Mark McLaughlin
Editor, Citizen-Observer
The May 5 City Council meeting was like a sandwich…pita bread on the outside, thin as a whisper and ten pounds of brisket, gravy and peppers in the middle.
With council members, excepting member John...
Park Board President Matt Arndt was removed from his position in an action announced in a Special Council Meeting May 7 at the Public Safety Building.
The action was the final due process step involved, and resulted in the following letter, written by City Attorney Padraic Corcoran being mailed to...
EDITORS NOTE: My original intent was not to run this column on our web page. But the response I have received from friends of the newspaper was clear...Let people see why you do what you do. It will help them to understand. So reluctantly, we're running it here. In this process, I have...
If you have walked by this building and wondered if anything will ever become of it well let me tell you… I have recently taken over the building and four of the six apartments are being rented. One apartment is in the process of being remodeled and one of the apartments is now a gorgeous 4 bed...