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Mallas: Honest challenges from an honest man
Mayor’s Race
Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ivan “Skip” Mallas
Ask Ivan “Skip” Mallas to name the quality that best describes him and he’ll tell you he’s honest. Honest about the challenges he’s faced, honest about the mistakes he’s made, and honest about the change he’d like to bring to Fergus Falls as mayor.
“I’m basically running to stand up for the community as a whole, not just for certain groups,” he said. “It’s a great community but it needs to come more together as a community and not just for a group here and a group there.”
Born in Staples, Mallas grew up in locations including Arizona, Idaho and Detroit Lakes before moving to Fergus Falls in 1969. He’s worked at the Regional Treatment Center, Mid-America Dairy and Montana Flour Mill, where he spent more than 10 years. His jobs over the years have given him accountability, management and loss prevention experience, he says.
Mallas made headlines in the spring of 1991 after he fought off a convicted sex offender in his home. On the night of March 30, Robert Frank Christie of Moorhead entered through an unlocked bedroom window in the Mallas home along the 400 block of West Alcott; police would later say Christie had planned to sexually assault Mallas’ wife.
Mallas, then 34, said he believed Christie had stalked his wife for months, but mixed up his shifts at the flour mill the night of the intended attack. When Christie entered to find Mallas at home, a fight ensued throughout the house, with Mallas managing to keep Christie on his property until authorities arrived. Christie was later sentenced to 20 years in prison and Mallas was honored as a hero.
A lot has changed since then. Mallas and his then-wife are now divorced, and their three children are grown. He has done miscellaneous maintenance work, and volunteered at a church camp in Oregon from Thanksgiving to March of this year. He was not working as of late September, but said he’s looking for a job.
Mallas has had three DWIs, the last one in 2003. More recently, Mallas was cited for disorderly conducted in late August after someone contacted police about a man who’d been swearing, yelling, urinating and falling down one night along Pebble Lake Road.
Those allegations are untrue, said Mallas, who claims he was returning to a camp site in DeLagoon Park when he stopped to urinate because no public restroom was available.
“I was not falling down drunk, I was not belligerant,” he said.
Mallas claims five squad cars showed up to give him his citation, and says not everyone in Fergus Falls is prosecuted so harshly and publicly.
“You see people who get in trouble and it’s all hush, hush,” he said.
The incident prompted Mallas to take action the next day.
“I thought about it and I was ashamed of it, so I brought myself to detox where I stayed for four days,” he said. “But it’s the principle.”
As mayor, Mallas says he’d make the changes other people only talk about, and ensure that the city council — “Most people regard it as a clique” — represents all residents.
“I have paid my time and no one is perfect,” he said. “I’m only asking (people to) give me a chance.”
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish you all the best!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by Ole_Potato (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 1:08 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Skip skipped another candidate forum today at noon. Is that why they call him "Skip"? (Where is his campaign manager, now?) We have 2 quality candidates in Brad Howland and Hal Leland. Either one will do a great job.
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MR. Mallas if you are reading this I have some advice.
If you want to get elected in Fergus Falls just tell everyone that you are gonna cut all the taxes, that you were sent from Jesus to be Mayor of Fergus and a vote for anyone else is a vote against Jesus, and also let them know that your opponents are terrorists, I mean just look at their names! Brad, well his name starts with B like in Bin Laden! and Hal same thing his name starts with H, you know like Hussein!!! They just have to be Terrorists!!! Just for good measures throw in that they might be Gay and you heard them talking with ATF agents in a secret meeting and they are plotting to bust down everyones doors in the middle of the night and take their guns away and I guarantee a landslide win for you!!!
Heck they will probably erect a bronze statue of you, right next to OJ's Gold statue of course.
Posted by LoisMustDie (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FungusAmugus must be a democrat.
Posted by notcominghome (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure Mr. Mallas is a wonderful man when he stays sober. Sounds like he might be alergic to alcohol. This does not mean he would not be a great mayor. As long as he can stay away from what troubles him. And actually coming from a troubled back ground could give him some insight that a lot of people would not think of.
May the best person win!
Posted by BeaverFan (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not sure which one is funnier....FungusAmugus....or the nontcominghome "alergic to alcohol" comment.
Good stuff.
GO BSU!
Posted by BloopTriple (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on. This guy shouldn't be running a concession stand, much less the city. Leland is a good choice, and so is Howland, but not Malas.
That's not to say he's probably not a good person with a good heart and a few problems he's working on. But maybe he should fix his personal life first, then seek the highest office in the city.
Posted by votedem (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seriously, who the heck is this guy posting on behalf of Mallas?? My 8 year old nephew has better grammar. Hey Skip, next time you should hire a different PR guy.
Posted by ottersnap (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's probably Skip himself. This guy sounds ridiculous. You are not a maverick. Stop trying to win votes by using McCain's words, it just makes me roll my eyes at you. Find a new way to campaign buddy.
Posted by alwayshere (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, I came on here and was reading about the moose-- and whoever it is just seems to blog where ever, (so of course I came to this section to see whats up!) they sound very uneducated, and definately can't spell, it is one thing to try to promote yourself or others (done appropriately) but come on, this makes yourself look bad.
Posted by ottersnap (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Skip you are making yourself look like a fool. I counted 6 grammer mistakes in your comment, not to mention all the little words you couldn't spell out so you used numbers and letters. This isn't text messaging. Grow up.
Posted by alwayshere (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that you must already be living in the Dalton Trailer Park.... wacky I must say, but entertaining...
Posted by Ole_Potato (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Something gives me the impression that Skip would not know the first thing about typing into a comment section like this. I agree the man needs some gainfull employment, but why has a position as the Mayor, or City Council suddenly become the goal of the likes of Skip and Cooper?
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 4:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ottersnap this looks very familiar.
FF being a heavily republican community I would think they have many Carl Rove fans, my guess is that Mr. Mallas probably does not use or post on the DJ sight, Fergus Falls being what it is, my money is on a Rove wanna be!
Posted by Sumwun (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 6:57 a.m.
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Posted by TKay (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to see and hear Skip's specific proposed solutions or at least ideas to the community's current challenges and future through his attendance and responses at a candidate forum.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 8:23 a.m.
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Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TKay - Skip has "skipped" both candidate forums. Guess he was too busy.
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, bucksteel was aware of that and was my point to some extent that it would have been very beneficial to actually be able to hear his thoughts regarding his plans, if elected, at one of the candidate forums.
Posted by mamaof2angels (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 1:26 p.m.
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Posted by mamaof2angels (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well hello Skip_Mallas_ Campaign_Headqaurt
First so he protected the family he had at the time...
that does not give me any reason to vote for him, he needs to tell me more than what he stands behind... it has nothing to do with his record... stop putting the blame on the truth... the only person to blame for someone with 3 DUI's is the person who is guilty... that would be Skip, but that does not influence my opinion on him... my opinion and let me be very clear is this:
SKIP NOT SHOWING UP TO THE DEBATE FORUMS DOES NOT SHOW ME HE IS DEPENDABLE
SKIP NOT PAYING HIS PAST CHILD SUPPORT SHOWS ME HE IS WEAK AND NOT A GOOD ROLE MODEL
SKIP DESTRUCTING PROPERTY DOES NOT EARN MY RESPECT
SKIP NOT HAVING A JOB SHOWS ME HE IS LAZY
So, Sorry Skip, this time you have noone to blame but yourself because this is who you are... you are who you are... Yes you might be nice, but you need more to represent the community in which I live in.
and for your campaign supporter, you using a certian area of residence as a bad place to live is pathetic and If I were Skip the first thing I would say to you is Goodbye, you do not help him... oh, and do you know the meaning of Maverick? because a Maverick would not even have half of the negative issues that Skip represents.
SORRY NO VOTE HERE:)
Posted by mamaof2angels (anonymous) on October 23, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is funny to me, coming from someone representing the "honest" candidate... THAT YOU CANNOT HANDLE HONESTY
my responses are not to be negative, they are the truth in what I know of Skip to represent.
So, he made headlines.... and fought off a convicted sex offender... OK, GREAT JOB... I am honestly happy his wife at the time did not get the intended brutality the guy was planning on doing to her.
I am glad he volunteered at a church camp...
ALL OF MY ALLEGATIONS ARE UNTRUE??
Sorry to inform you this... but they are NOT.... you see, I am also an HONEST PERSON.... maybe next year I will think about running for Mayor!
Skip has not shown up to his mayoral debate forums if he was serious and had things to actually inform us on what his intentions are to be mayor... that would have been in his best interest, but no, he is going to get mad about that his life history is exploited... hmmmmmm... yeah, I can see he is still working on his mistakes... because a person that knows he has screwed up... lets it go and does not still cast blame~ as again, I will not be voting for someone of his caliber... and p.s. if he is for the poor and needy... what is he going to do for them? if you want people to vote... tell us what he is going to do..and not that he is a Maverick of silent changes~
Posted by The_Nick (anonymous) on October 24, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This Mallas campaign is one of the funniest jokes I've seen in a long time. Good stuff!!!
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on October 28, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally, I find the Mallas campaign posts all over the Journal website after articles that have nothing to do with the city or mayoral campaign very annoying!
Posted by Bridgebuilder25 (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The reason Skip has missed the meetings is because when he goes to the city hall to see where he has to be, they won't tell him!!! Skip is a vary good man i even donated him money to help get his signs! I think if everyone would have had a chance to get to know him alot of people would like him. Don't judge a person because the only thing you know is the bad stuff about him. Not everyone is perfect and in this day and age times are exteremly hard. I am voting for Skip because i know him for the good things he has does. But i Wish the best of Luck to all of you. And to Cooper you got my friends and faimly vote and also mine! best of luck top you!
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