Sullivan's Salvos

1-27-10

2010-01-25T16:42:00.001-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 1/27/10

I have never before done a special edition of Sullivan’s Salvos. Unfortunately, extreme issues call for extreme measures.

In 25+ years of observing the local government scene, I have witnessed many things that disappointed me. Unfortunately, NOTHING I have seen has been as egregious as the management of the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC).

Some background… there are two E911 dispatch centers in Johnson County; one is run by and serves Iowa City, the other is run by Johnson County and serves everyone else. These are being replaced by a joint venture known as JECC.

Several years ago, a confluence of four events led to discussions that ended up in the creation of the JECC. First, the League of Women Voters pushed for consolidation. Second, the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01 demonstrated the importance of public safety agencies being able to communicate with each other. Thirdly, we had own local disaster (the tornado of ‘06) that demonstrated this need on a local level. Finally and most importantly, Iowa City needed to replace its radio system.

It was decided that the two dispatch centers would be combined into one, and every public safety agency in Johnson County would get new and compatible radios. Everything would be funded through a county property tax levy. An intergovernmental (28E) organization was formed, and a 7 member Board was created to oversee the JECC. Then things began to go down hill.

For starters, JECC should have been run by the Sheriff. Since every citizen in the County was paying for this thing, it made sense that an elected official accountable to every citizen have that responsibility. I made this case in E-mails to the JECC Board; I even attended a JECC meeting to make the case in person. I was promptly shut down, primarily by Councilor Bailey, who wanted to “maintain some control” for Iowa City. That “control” has cost you at least $5,000,000 in unnecessary money so far, with more to come!

I tried to explain that the Sheriff represents all the people of Iowa City. In fact, the Sheriff received 28,000 votes in just Iowa City in 2008; the most any City Council candidate has EVER received is 10,000. So people of Iowa City understand what the Sheriff does– their leaders do not.

I then went to a fallback position… if having the Sheriff run the JECC was unacceptable to Iowa City, then let the ICPD run the thing. This, too, was shut down.

Because the JECC Board chose this route, they needed to begin creating bureaucracy. They hired a Director at a hefty salary, which would have been unnecessary under either of my scenarios. And they did not stop there! The unnecessary Director needed an unnecessary Assistant Director. One justification for this is that the Assistant would also provide tech support. Another justification – and I am NOT making this up – is that he will be needed to provide backup when the first unnecessary person is on vacation!

What happens next? They hire an additional full-time tech support person. Never mind that: A) the software vendors are already charging outrageous fees for tech support; B) they said unnecessary guy #2 was a tech person; C) neither IC nor Johnson County currently have a tech person dedicated to dispatch – estimates are that 2-3 hours per week is required right now; D) both IC & Johnson County could provide the tech support on an hourly basis; E) local businesses could provide the support on an hourly basis.

It gets even worse. There is an “Operations Director”. What in God’s name does he do? There is ZERO justification.

Here is another. The JECC is a secure facility. You cannot just drive up, and you cannot get in. But in their wisdom, the JECC Board approved the funding for a receptionist. Who will this person receive? Your tax dollars at work!

The JECC has $20,000 budgeted to replace computer equipment. All the computer equipment is brand new! Can they really be serious? How about $60,000 for negotiations? Johnson County negotiates 6 different contracts with two different unions representing 350 people and it runs about $20,000.

It goes further. Each of three 8-hour shifts will have a “Lead Dispatcher”. This makes sense, but not given the bureaucracy already in place. The number of dispatchers is not being reduced through this consolidation; the number is actually increasing.

The Director even advertised one position before it was approved! And now that these positions have been approved? They will NEVER go away. We will pay unnecessary salaries until the end of time.

The building is too expensive. Stop out and see the three (yes, three) stainless steel refrigerators you bought.

The budget was already outrageous. Now they want to increase it by 28%. That is right… an already bloated budget is going up 28%! Johnson County required all our departments to maintain flat budgets (not including negotiated raises) for the second straight year. These folks answer to no one, so they increase budgets 28%!

Now for the real kicker. The JECC already has $5,000,000 of our tax dollars in reserve. Not only is that amount outrageous, they want $10,000,000! Ten million dollars! For what?

To give this some perspective, Johnson County runs an $80,000,000 annual operation with about $2 million in reserve. Granted, that is a little lower than we’d like. But I cannot imagine why these folks need to sit on 4+ years’ worth of operating revenue. You are being taxed a tremendous amount so they can save 5 times the total County reserves.

When asked about the amount already in reserve, the Board and staff claimed they did not know how much was there, nor how it could be spent. Is this oversight? Shouldn’t those questions be answered prior to a budget being submitted?

The finances of the JECC are completely out of control. And there is nothing the Board of Supervisors can do to stop it. We are contractually obligated to accept the number they put forth. Salvos readers – you know I am not some anti-tax zealot. I believe in government. Unfortunately, this initiative will give local government a bad name.

Who has been responsible for these decisions? Tom Salm, Mayor of North Liberty; Mike Wright and Regenia Bailey, Iowa City Council; Pat Harney, Johnson County Board of Supervisors; Dave Wilson, Emergency Management. All of the above are elected officials except Wilson, who is appointed by a 28E Board similar to the JECC Board. In addition, John Lundell, Coralville City Council, is a new member. Unfortunately, all his votes in his one meeting were for greater spending and greater bureaucracy.

Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek also serves on the Board, but we should definitely not lump the Sheriff with the others. Sheriff Pulkrabek has been on the correct (but losing) side of every important vote the JECC Board has taken, including two recent 6-1 votes. It is ironic, because he is the only member of the JECC Board who has ever run a dispatch center, yet his colleagues refuse to listen to his advice. Keep fighting the good fight, Sheriff!

I’m sure the rest of the JECC Board will tell you they are only doing what their high-priced consultants told them to do. Here is a news flash – the consultants are not elected to manage our money. They are.

There is more blame to go around. I am extremely disappointed in the League of Women Voters on this issue. (As a matter of full disclosure, I am a dues-paying member of the League.) The League got this thing started, then walked away. There is no governmental entity more deserving of scrutiny than JECC, yet the League has taken no interest in the way it is being run. As the premiere watchdog of government in Johnson County, the League has fallen asleep on this one. I urge the League to begin monitoring JECC meetings. I also urge the JECC Board to make audio recordings of their meetings. The minutes as they are done currently say NOTHING.

I am outraged. You should be outraged. So, what can we do? They already ignore everything I say and everything the Sheriff says. I see three options: A) contact these people, and let them know you expect them to run JECC differently. If they refuse, then B) we can look into dissolving the 28E agreement. This would be difficult and costly, but not as costly as allowing the JECC Board members to continue their spending habits. I really hope it does not come to this.

This whole situation is a shame. A very good initiative has spun out of control. I am still a believer in the theory of joint communications, but I cannot support it in practice the way we are doing it here. Please call these folks TODAY and let them know how you feel!

DID YOU KNOW? Audio recordings of Board meetings are available on the Auditor’s web page.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

1-26-10

2010-01-23T15:53:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 1/26/10

Congratulations to Supervisor Janelle Rettig who won a special election last week to maintain the seat to which she was appointed a few months ago.

Rettig won with 58% of the vote. I was impressed by Janelle’s ability to focus on the campaign given the unfortunate incidents of hate directed her way. Vote against her because of her record. Vote against her because of her opinions. But do not vote against her because she is a lesbian.

Unfortunately, some of the responses to her campaign demonstrated that Johnson County still has a lot of work to do. Meanwhile, the people have spoken (for now). We’ll be right back at the primaries in June!

We have recently witnessed one of the most devastating disasters in world history - the earthquake in Haiti. I hesitate to call it a natural disaster… when an earthquake of similar strength hit more densely populated San Francisco in 1989, only about 60 people perished.

Over 100,000 Haitians have died as a result of this event. Haiti was devastated by this event because of the crushing poverty that envelopes that country. Please do what you can to donate to disaster relief in Haiti.

I want to mark the recent passings of two extraordinary local women.

Dr. Margaret Emmons was a retired MD who lived at Oaknoll. Dr. Emmons was a very accomplished woman who had traveled the globe. Dr. Emmons was a Salvos subscriber, and frequently wrote me to share her thoughts. She often mailed me books or articles that she felt I should read. She was particularly interested in the best way to improve medical care in Africa; she had travelled there more than once.

Dr. Emmons was a proud Republican, and let me know that. But she was also open to having a friendship with a person of a different sex, different political party, 40 years younger, and I am a better person for it.

Also passing away recently was Peggy Stokes. Peggy was a longtime social worker at the UI Center for Disability and Development. In that role, Peggy made difficult lives a bit easier for thousands of families. When Peggy read research that indicated that siblings of children with disabilities often struggle, she founded the SibShip program. That program has reached out to siblings of children with disabilities for over 20 years now.

Peggy was also a staunch peace activist. You could see Peggy standing on the corner every Friday, holding a sign with some version of “peace not war”. I asked Peggy once if she felt her efforts were making a difference. She sighed, and said that she needed to do SOMETHING because the Iraq War was wrong. Peggy said if she converted just one person to seeing peace as the way, then she had been successful. I think Peggy was a huge success.

On a more positive note, congratulations on your retirements Dan Daly and Speedy Townsend! I wish you both much good health and happiness. Thank you for your years of service!

The “You Earned It. Now Claim It!” campaign will launch on January 31 for its fourth year of operation. This effort supports the financial security of working families by offering FREE tax preparation services.

This program is possible through a partnership involving Johnson County Social Services, the Tippie College of Business, Johnson County AARP, Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City Public Library, Iowa City Housing Authority, Neighborhood Centers, Johnson County Council of Governments, Iowa Legal Aid, and United Way of Johnson County. Funding is provided by the University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Veridian Credit Union, the United Way of Johnson County, & Hawkeye Community Action Program.

Last year over 950 households secured total refunds over $1 million. This service is available for free to people who earned less than $49,000 in 2009. Volunteers are trained to assist working families to get money back through the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and, at the same time, give a boost to the local economy.

For more information on these FREE Tax Preparation sites, call the United Way toll-free at 2-1-1 or visit the Johnson County website at www.johnson-county.com/taxhelp.html.

Some interesting stats courtesy of Mother Jones magazine: to equal the amount of the $14 trillion US bank bailout?

We could provide 10 years of vaccines to all kids in the 117 poorest countries; we could give 10 years worth of $10,000 bonuses to every US public school teacher; we could send all 2009 US high school grads to private college; we could double the research spending on cancer and HIV; we could purchase 10 years worth of carbon offsets for every American; we could meet UN anti-poverty goals; we could pay for 20 years of universal preschool; we could buy a house for every homeless American; we could afford 10 years of helping developing countries address climate change; we could pay for 10 years worth of health insurance for every uninsured American; we could pay of 1/3 of all US mortgages; AND we could buy every person in the world an iPhone!

Please understand – it is not that we could do ONE of the things on that list; we could do ALL of the things on that list! Do the banks owe the American people? Yes, they do!

DID YOU KNOW? Half of the U.S. population is in the eight largest states (California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan).

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

1-12-10

2010-01-17T10:24:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 1/12/10

Monday marks the celebration of the birthday of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior. Like so many holidays, folks often forget to take a moment to recall the reason behind the day off.

I urge everyone to do some reading on the life of MLK. I felt as though I knew a lot about him, then read a new book. I continue to learn fascinating things about this amazing man! He deserves this honor, and we should take some time to consider his contributions.

In keeping with the MLK theme, the University of Iowa is once again hosting a Celebration of Human Rights, with a whole week full of events.

The Opening Celebration will be Monday, January 18 at 6 PM in the 2nd Floor Ballroom of the IMU. The evening includes performances by Voices of Soul, Charism, The Quire, and Idiris Goodwin, and a keynote address from State Representative Wayne Ford.

For a complete schedule of events, see mlk.uiowa.edu

Johnson County residents have an important election coming up on January 19. In my opinion, this election is a referendum on the role of government in our lives. That should not be taken lightly.

I strongly encourage you to learn everything you can about the two candidates, and come to your own decision. Me? I enthusiastically support Supervisor Janelle Rettig. The reasons are many, but it boils down to this: are we in this together or not?

Please do not skip this election. Your voice is important. It is an unusual date for an election, but please get out and vote.

Do not forget, there are plenty of early voting opportunities! For a complete list, see the Johnson County Auditor’s website at:
http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/voter/1001elec.htm.

I find it amusing when I hear that Johnson County has “one party rule” or that there is a “Democratic Party Machine” that secretly runs things. I laugh when I hear us referred to by David Yepsen as the “People’s Republic of Johnson County”.

Like any persistent myth, there is a kernel of truth there. Other than a Republican Sheriff during the 80s, local partisan offices have been filled exclusively by Democrats since 1960. But what does that mean? What are the actual results? Is this a Socialist heaven?

The Democratic Party in Johnson County is a pretty big tent. It has always had a large conservative wing, and it still does. Many folks from this wing have served as County Supervisors. And THEY have not agreed on all the issues, either!

Furthermore, what does it mean to be a “conservative” Democrat? How about someone who is against abortion rights but pro-labor and pro-gay rights? (I know many people who fit that bill.) What about someone who is an anti-labor, anti-gay, pro-health care environmentalist? (I know several folks like that, too.) Every one of us would like to be in charge of the Official Litmus Test of our respective parties. But the fact remains… there is no litmus test.

Let’s look at any number of so-called Democratic Party issues, and see where the Johnson County Board of Supervisors falls:

Environmental Issues: Boards of the 50s through the mid-90s did not pay much attention to environmental issues. A few specific individuals notwithstanding, these Boards were extremely pro-development. And they were ALL Democrats. Is this some Socialist machine at work?

Labor Issues: Ask any local Labor activist how they feel about the relationship with the Board. Labor is traditionally dissatisfied with the contracts they get with Johnson County. Union Building Trades feel they do not get a fair hearing when it comes to building projects. The relationship is far from cozy. It used to be worse! And the Sups during this 50-year period were ALL Democrats. Is this some Socialist machine at work?

Civil Rights Issues: There have probably only been two or three two-year windows in 50 years where a majority of the Board supported gay marriage. I would stand by the argument that there have NEVER been all 5 Supervisors in favor. And they were ALL Democrats. Is this a Socialist machine at work?

Economic Justice: The Board has consistently preferred sales taxes to property taxes, despite a Party Platform that states the contrary. In 50 years, there have been less than four Supervisors who have spoken out against sales taxes. Scores preferred them. And they were ALL Democrats. Is this a Socialist machine at work?

Those are only a few issues. Given the choice between lower taxes and more human services, lower taxes have usually carried the day. Issues like choice and war rarely come up at the local level, but it is safe to say that most past Boards have agreed more closely with the Republican party line. And they were ALL Democrats. Is this a Socialist machine at work?

50 years of Democrats at the County level have not delivered a Socialist Disneyland. Similarly, the so-called “liberal” Iowa City Council has only had 4-5 two-year periods in 50 years where there was a truly progressive majority. Same thing in Coralville.

I am not arguing that the governments of the past 50 years have been particularly good or bad. There has been a lot of both in 50 years. There have been really good folks of all political stripes; there have been others we could have done without. The point is simply to bust the myth – the Johnson County Board of Supervisors has traditionally not been a far-left leaning body. A simple check of the facts backs that up.

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County was created on December 21, 1837 by the legislature of the Wisconsin Territory. The county was carved out of territory formerly in Dubuque County, and was not initially provided with a civil government, instead being governed by Cedar County officials.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

1-19-10

2010-01-17T10:23:00.001-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 1/19/10

Johnson County residents have an important election coming up on January 19. In my opinion, this election is a referendum on the role of government in our lives. That should not be taken lightly.

I strongly encourage you to learn everything you can about the two candidates, and come to your own decision. Me? I enthusiastically support Supervisor Janelle Rettig. The reasons are many, but it boils down to this: are we in this together or not?

Please do not skip this election. Your voice is important. It is an unusual date for an election, but please get out and vote.

Do not forget, there are plenty of early voting opportunities! For a complete list, see the Johnson County Auditor’s website at:
http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/voter/1001elec.htm.

Team registration is now open for Bowl For Kids' Sake 2010. Bowl For Kids' Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County's annual fundraiser. Participants receive a free round of bowling, t-shirt, and the chance to win door prizes. This year's event, which will be held the last weekend in February, will have a Western theme. Team registration forms are available from the agency's website, www.bbbsjc.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County serves over 700 kids annually through its school- and community-based, one-to-one mentoring programs. Revenue from Bowl For Kids' Sake accounts for one-third of the agency's yearly budget. The fundraiser has been hosted by Colonial Lanes in Iowa City since 1984.

The Sullivan for Supervisor team will be bowling once again this year. We have room on our team for two bowlers… would you like to join the cause? If so, let me know! Otherwise, we would love to have you sponsor us. Just go to the BBBS website at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/johnson/bbbs/

And follow the links.

BBBS Bowl For Kids’ Sake – a great cause! Feel free to join us and/or sponsor us!

I have long argued for a greater use of development impact fees. I think there is a great opportunity out there right now that would allow Iowa City, Johnson County, and perhaps Coralville and Tiffin to develop in a smarter and less expensive manner.

Iowa City recently came to Johnson County with a proposal to annex 132 acres north of I-80, just west of Pearson. I believe this annexation makes sense, but only if Iowa City and Johnson County begin charging a development impact fee in the area.

Some background: Planners in local governments have long envisioned Oakdale Boulevard as the primary east-west arterial street north of I-80. Oakdale already serves this purpose through much of Coralville; what most folks do not realize is that Oakdale is penciled out from west of Tiffin all the way to Scott Boulevard in eastern Iowa City.

The fact that the road is planned is great; the implementation has left much to be desired. For example – when Oakdale was taken east of 12th Avenue in Coralville, local leaders should have required that it be connected to Dubuque Street. People who did much of the development in the area claim they would have paid for the road had they been asked. (Of course, that is easy to say now! But local electeds should have forced the issue.)

Some folks saw what was coming. Then-Supervisor Jonathon Jordahl argued that this situation would create traffic problems, and create a disincentive for future development. Jonathon nailed it. Fast forward 10-15 years, and now Johnson County and Coralville are collaborating on a completion of Oakdale from the dead end to Dubuque Street. Taxpayers in Coralville and rural Johnson County are now footing the bill.

Again, this SHOULD have been paid for; developers could have added $2,000 to each of 500 lots and extended the road. Instead, the road was allowed to dead end. Now, instead of $1,000,000 paid by developers, we have $4,000,000 paid by folks who never asked for the development in the first place.

Oakdale will soon reach Dubuque Street on the west. If Iowa City develops according to the plan in the proposed annexation, Oakdale will start moving west from Highway 1. That leaves a big gap in the middle. Who will pay to fill in this gap? If both Iowa City and Johnson County begin to charge a development impact fee now, we can save up enough money to connect the road all the way through. It would then be paid for by the development as opposed to being paid for by taxpayers.

This is particularly relevant to rural folks. County roads are paid for through the Rural Fund. It will be difficult to argue that the area in question is “rural”, yet rural landowners will foot the bill. That just isn’t fair. In addition, a full connection between Dubuque Street and Highway 1 requires crossing the Iowa River. That bridge will NOT be cheap!

I strongly urge elected officials in Iowa City and Johnson County to enter into a 28E agreement, and to begin collecting a development impact fee in this area. Johnson County, Coralville and Tiffin probably ought to be talking about the same thing heading west.

We have an opportunity to do this right. I do not have any desire to look back in twenty years and say I told you so. Let’s do this correctly now.

DID YOU KNOW? The population of Johnson County is about 17% rural.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

1-5-10

2010-01-02T11:28:00.001-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 1/5/10

I have been experiencing some very trying difficulties with my Mediacom E-mail. For all I know, no one is getting this! Please forgive my inability to communicate with you. And feel free to stick another pin in your Mediacom voodoo doll!

Unfortunately, this edition of Salvos is going to address the losses of several notable folks.

Eliot Keller was a local broadcaster and businessman who ran several successful radio stations. I got to know Eliot through the Chamber of Commerce, for whom he was an outstanding volunteer. Eliot was a real civic booster, a very good guy, and he will be missed.

Johnson County lost a legend with the passing of Mary Jo Small. As a UI administrator, Mary Jo was central in the creation of a more humane workplace, with equal rights for women and minorities, decent benefits, fair hiring practices, and available childcare.

I had the distinct pleasure of serving with Mary Jo on the Executive Committee of the Democratic Party. I recall a time when a colleague used the word “gravitas”, and was jokingly asked to define it. Without missing a beat, he said, “Mary Jo has it; the rest of us do not.” We all knew what he meant.

Mary Jo forgot more than I’ll ever know; I’m just honored to have had the opportunity to learn from someone so smart and dedicated. Rest in peace, Mary Jo.

Of all the recent losses, the most important to me is the passing of Marian Sullivan, my paternal Grandmother. When I think of my Grandma, a single word keeps coming up: selfless. Everything she ever did, she did for others.

Marian (Pint) Sullivan had a big family. They were extremely poor; her father moved around Northeast Iowa working odd jobs and renting small farms. Young Marian always got something for Christmas, but to say the gifts were modest is an understatement. One year she received a doll handmade from cornhusks; another year it was a small hand carved wooden cross; yet another year it was a couple pieces of citrus fruit. She never complained. Selfless.

Even though she was a good student, Marian was forced to quit high school and go to work to help support the family. Her labors even helped allow a younger brother to attend college. Selfless.

Marian made a ridiculously low wage; I seem to recall her mentioning making less than a dollar a day. She was working in a general store when she met Tom Sullivan, who had a second job cutting and delivering ice.

Tom and Marian were married, and tried to begin a life on the farm. Farming during the Depression was simply not working out; Tom and Marian could not afford to buy any land, so rents ate up all their income. When their first child (my father) was born, they had neither electricity nor running water. Life was hard for the Sullivans, but not any more difficult than it was for tens of millions of Americans of the day. But Marian gave her kids the things they needed. Selfless.

Finally, they had had enough. A couple hours to the south, Cedar Rapids offered a new beginning. World War II had just begun, and industry was taking off in Cedar Rapids. Anybody who was willing to work, regardless of race or gender, could join a labor union. Tom joined Carpenter’s Local 308; Marian united with many other women in the workforce and joined the United Food and Commercial Worker’s Local at Wilson’s Meatpacking.

I recently spoke to my Grandma about her 30 years in the meatpacking plant. She said she liked a lot of the people, but she looked me right in the eye and said, “I never enjoyed a single day there. I just did what I had to do.” Selfless.

Soon the War ended, and prosperity arrived. Hard work was paying off. The Sullivans were able to buy a house, a car, and put their kids through Catholic school. They didn’t get a television right away, but because Tom was willing to put an antenna on the roof next door, he got to go to the neighbors to watch pro wrestling. Marian’s wants always took a backseat. Selfless.

Despite decades of newfound wealth, not everything was perfect. Years of hard work caused Tom’s body to break down. His last years were spent using a wheelchair. Marian retired and served as his caregiver. Selfless.

Because of her years of factory work, Marian suffered from repetitive motion injuries the rest of her life. The UFCW union was busted at Wilson’s, and Marian’s pension and health insurance never quite lived up to their promises. But Marian knew the union protected her. Being a union member fit her profile: Selfless.

So, what is her legacy? Marian pulled her family from poverty to the middle class. They lived the American Dream. Every one of her grandkids had healthcare coverage. Every one of her grandkids had the opportunity to get a college education. Every one of her grandkids had the kinds of opportunities many Americans have come to expect, but much of the world can only dream about.

Marian Sullivan was selfless. She was also a great Grandma. I love you, Grandma, and I miss you.

Go Hawks! Best of luck in the Orange Bowl! You have given us a very memorable season – one of the best I can recall. The success of the football team has helped me deal with a tough year. Thanks, and good luck!

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County is bordered by seven other counties – more than any other county in Iowa.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-

www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

12-29-09

2009-12-27T16:09:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 12/29/09

Happy New Year! 2009 was a tough year for many of us. For me personally, it was one of the most difficult years I have ever endured. It feels good to be able to turn the page. I hope 2010 is a great year for you and yours!

2009 is coming to a close, and it is time for honoring a few select Johnson County residents with that most treasured of honors, the Salvos Salute. A few observations:

* This is the fifth annual set of awards, and there are always more people who deserve awards than there are awards to give. We live in a great County!

* There are some people out there that could win every year. I am trying to honor different folks, but repeat winners are not out of the question. As a matter of fact, 2009 sees our second-ever repeat winners!

* Salvos Salutes do not have specific criteria, but you can bet that in general, most of the winners are courageous, advocate for peace and justice, have good ideas, speak truth to power, avoid hypocrisy, and look out for the less fortunate.

Without further adieu, your 2009 Salvos Salutes go to:

*Jen and Dawn Barborouske: This Iowa City couple challenged Iowa’s marriage laws, and the Iowa Supreme Court agreed. Let us be clear – Civil Rights should NEVER be subject to the whims of the majority! These two plaintiffs and their children will forever be heroes to me!

*Jim Dane, Johnson County Farm Bureau: An all-around great guy who is often asked to serve whenever the Ag community gets a seat at the table. Unfailingly fair and decent, Jim represents local farmers extremely well.

*Helen Lemley, Lone Tree Farmer’s Market: Councilor Lemley has done a bang up job of infusing some energy and enthusiasm into Lone Tree’s Farmer’s Market. A little creativity has generated outstanding results. Our small towns need this type of thing.

*Laura Hoover, Friends of Jefferson-Monroe Public Library: The people of Swisher and Shueyville deserve a public library. After 10 years of hard work by local volunteers, the library is a reality! There are plenty of kudos to go around, but no volunteer deserves more credit than Laura Hoover.

*Paul Deaton, Johnson County Board of Health: Fine particulate matter, secondhand smoke, binge drinking, sexually transmitted diseases, groundwater contamination… there are several controversial issues in Public Health. Johnson County never backs down from these and other challenges, primarily because of the leadership of the Chair of the Board of Health.

*Doug & Lori Lindner, Solon Economist & North Liberty Leader: According to the Gazette and Press Citizen, it is impossible to fully cover local news. Newspapers are dying, and there is nothing anyone can do to fix it. Pick up a copy of the Solon Economist or North Liberty Leader, and you will immediately see that the other papers are wrong. Doug & Lori and their small staff do it all. Nobody covers local news better… nobody!

*Consultation of Religious Communities: This ecumenical group has done many good things in our community, most notably organizing and staffing the homeless shelter overflow for the past 5 years. These folks live their faiths!

*Larry Meyers, late of the Board of Supervisors: What a brave man! I wish I were half the person my late colleague was. Larry was a great guy, and I miss him. Rest in Peace, Larry.

*Joan Vandenberg, Iowa City Community School District: The ICCSD serves many kids who face tremendous challenges. It is Joan’s job to marshal whatever resources are available, and help these kids to succeed. It is NOT easy, and Joan is a true champion for kids who often have no one else in their corner.

*Le Ann Tyson: Le Ann is a local realtor who has dedicated her life to helping honor our military veterans. LeAnn has spearheaded several local proceedings, including Wreaths Across America and several other events. Our vets have a true champion in Le Ann!

*SuEllen Novotny, Visiting Nurses Association: the VNA has a challenging mission, serving the ill and disabled in our county. For-profit home health companies skim off all the well-insured patients, leaving the poor and underinsured to the VNA. SuEllen has embraced this challenge, and VNA continues providing necessary care to our most vulnerable citizens.

*Steve Semken, Ice Cube Press in North Liberty: There isn’t much left that is truly “local”. But we are blessed with a fantastic local book publisher in Steve Semken. Ice Cube Press in North Liberty publishes many books about Iowa and/or by Iowa authors; everything they do is first class.

If you think I missed someone, please let me know. I want to know about all the great things residents of Johnson County are doing. Perhaps you will alert me to a future winner!

We live in a great county! Thanks to all the award winners for doing so much to make that so!

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because of volunteer Boards and Commissions. Volunteer citizens assist local governments in providing direction for Veteran’s Affairs, Conservation, Public Health, Planning and Zoning, Social Services, MH/DS, and SEATS are just a few of the County Departments who rely on volunteers for direction.

Citizen involvement - brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Ancient Greeks started the tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year around 600 B.C. They would carry a baby around in a basket to honor Dionysus (the God of Fertility) and symbolize his annual rebirth.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-

www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

12-22-09

2009-12-20T16:38:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 12/22/09

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it. Happy Holidays to the rest. I sincerely hope your holiday season is happy and healthy for you and yours.

I am driving for the homeless shelter overflow project this week. It is important to remember that during this season where we spend hundreds of dollars, there are scores of our fellow citizens who have nowhere to sleep on a bitterly cold night.

It is particularly poignant given the story of the birth of Christ, and the fact that there was no room at the inn. How little things have changed in 2,000 years!

A million thanks to the Consultation of Religious Communities for organizing and running the overflow all these years.

I just got an E-mail from a friend who directed me toward a really neat site called “Corridor Barter”. The idea is that people in the corridor trade goods and services rather than spending money.

I think this looks pretty cool! Please see the attached link to the barter site. I am told it will improve as time goes on (they just wanted to get it going). Please forward it to anyone you think might be interested in posting services.

Johnson County is in the midst of an ongoing debate over what to do in cases of emergency. The recent weather has brought the conversation to the fore once again.

First, a bit of background: because a big part of what Johnson County does is public safety, several Johnson County departments never close. The Sheriff’s Office, Ambulance, Emergency Management, Secondary Roads, and Medical Examiner will never be closed – period. These are the folks the rest of us depend upon in emergencies, and I salute them.

The question is, what about the just under 400 county employees whose jobs are not related to public safety? Several years ago, an elected official made a declarative statement – “Johnson County never closes.” This has essentially been the law of the land ever since.

Meanwhile, Johnson County has experienced several different disasters, and the responses have been all over the board. The Treasurer, Recorder, and Auditor are independently elected Public Officials. The Board of Supervisors cannot technically make them do anything. Similarly, the County Attorney is independently elected; her situation is even more confusing, because she shares a Courthouse with State employees.

The Assessors are overseen by Conference Boards that only meet twice per year; typically, those Boards provide financial direction only, and offer little direction as to how the office should operate. These offices have closed on some occasions and not on others.

Many of the office workers are part of the same unions; it is obviously problematic to have one office treated differently than the others. In addition, it would be nice to be able to say, “Yes we are open,” or “No, we are not” without equivocating.

I have some strong feelings on this subject. I am put off by the whole macho we-never-close attitude. It is just plain stupid, frankly. We have tornado sirens going off, and some offices take cover while other workers just sit there. It is dangerous and dumb.

My proposal for addressing this situation is simple: I believe all 10 Elected Officials and all Department Heads should agree to defer to the judgment of the Sheriff. If he says take cover, we take cover. If he says we need to close, we close.

The reasons are many:

First, the Sheriff has the proper levels of knowledge and expertise. He has access to all the necessary info. No one is better suited to making such a call.

Secondly, the Sheriff has the required gravitas. If the Sheriff decides we are closed, we are closed. Disobey his order, and you are breaking the law.

Thirdly, we clearly need a single decision maker. Our inconsistency is a serious problem. As a person who is elected by the whole county, the Sheriff is in a position to be held accountable for his decisions by the voters. He would also be reachable by phone. (If for some reason the Sheriff was out of town, the decision-making authority should devolve to the highest-ranking officer available.) Anyone else would work for the Board, and be subject to the biases of uninformed Supervisors. This person would always be faced with 3-2 split opinions.

I have not spoken to the Sheriff about this proposal. But I think it is a natural outgrowth of his role as the Chief Public Safety Officer in the County. This one decision will not need to be made very often, and should not take away from his other duties.

There should be few costs to this policy. We already allow employees to go home; they simply need to use comp time, vacation, or take time without pay. I think we could maintain this system and expand it to include all nonemergency personnel. One catch - under the current system a person who cannot get to work (or leaves work) due to weather can take vacation; the problem is that any leave must be approved by their supervisor. I envision a system where vacation would be automatically approved if the buildings were shut down. Perhaps the unions representing our employees have ideas. Other counties have emergency plans – it can be done.

Emergency cancellations should be and are extremely rare, but pretending that nothing will ever happen is simply burying our heads in the sand. Basically anything we can imagine COULD happen. The potential emergencies are not even all weather-related; gas leaks, for example. We might as well have a plan.

People will second-guess every decision that is made. But there have only been an average of 1-3 days per year where conditions might call for closing county offices. The cost of sending folks home if they use time off is almost nothing. The cost is certainly much less than the cost of a life. Our employees deserve to be safe.

I am hopeful that Johnson County will listen to its employees, and adopt a common sense policy on disasters.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because the US Postal Service delivers our mail cheaply, quickly, and accurately. It is something most of us take for granted, but life without postal service would be a challenge.

Mail - brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Approximate amount generated by photographs with Santa in shopping malls in the USA: $2,255,750,000.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

12-15-09

2009-12-12T16:04:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 12/15/09

Happy Hanukkah to all! I read a commentary recently that noted the spirit of Hanukkah was about bringing light to the darkness. Certainly that is needed now more than ever!

I’ll be volunteering at Project Holiday this morning (Tuesday, 12/15). As you remember your family and friends this holiday season, please also remember the many people among us who have significant needs. That is what the holidays are all about.

The Iowa Legislature will be going back in session soon, and like almost everyone else, Johnson County has a wish list. Some of Johnson County’s Legislative objectives for 2010:

We understand that there is no money available. So we are not requesting anything that will cost the State money. At the same time, we would respectfully request that the State avoid passing any unfunded mandates to counties. It is sometimes easier to kick problems down the road to another level of government; we want to protect against this.

Johnson County applies for a variety of State trails grants every year. Unfortunately, a couple of Legislators have started the unseemly process of earmarking trails projects for their Districts. We are requesting that our Legislators put an end to this earmarking, and allow all trails projects to stand on their own merit. If this cannot be accomplished, and there is no other recourse, we want a trails earmark for Johnson and Linn Counties.

We want the State to listen when it comes to suggestions that might save us all money. For example, Iowa recently decided on an asinine interpretation of Medicaid rules that requires case managers to document everything they do down to the minute. This overzealous interpretation IS NOT Federal law; few other states do anything this stupid. Yet the decision makers in Iowa’s Department of Human Services felt saddling case managers with this burden was a good move. If the Legislature will simply tell DHS to undo this requirement, MILLIONS of dollars will be freed up for services. This should be a nonpartisan slam-dunk, as every professional in the field in Iowa recognizes that this is a stupid interpretation, and a costly, self-inflicted budget wound.

A couple issues that are specific to Johnson County:

Legislation passed last year that required Johnson County to have our Veteran’s Affairs Office open a minimum of 40 hours per week. While this legislation was well intended, it did not account for the fact that Johnson County is home to a large VA hospital. Most veterans who need services go there first. So even though we had no complaints about the hours we maintained, we were forced to spend the money to staff the office 40 hours. We have an extremely dedicated veteran (Leo Baier) serving as our VA Director, and Leo feels strongly the change has harmed Johnson County. The money we spend just being open could be better spent on direct services to veterans. To fix this, we would like to see counties with VA hospitals exempted from the 40-hour requirement.

Johnson County is in a unique situation when it comes to the Medical Examiner Office. Due primarily to three large hospitals, Johnson County is home to an inordinate number of deaths. When a resident of another Iowa county dies here, State law allows Johnson County to bill the county of residence of the deceased. The problem is that lots of people from SW Wisconsin, NE Missouri, and western Illinois die in Johnson County. In those cases, there is no mechanism for billing the home counties of the deceased. We need the help of the State in addressing this problem.

While there are always frustrations with the legislative process, we need to give credit where credit is due. It should be noted that counties in general (and Johnson County in particular) have fared exceptionally well with the Iowa Legislature over the past two years. Legislators, in many cases led by the Johnson County delegation, have responded to county concerns like never before. Personally, I appreciate this cooperation and concern, and look forward to even more of the same this year.

Please join the Iowa Renewable Energy Association (I-Renew) for the First Annual I-Renew Friend Raiser at our home in the Wesley Center, 120 North Dubuque Street on Thursday, December 17th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

They’ll be serving wine and appetizers from some great local restaurants, along with some great music from Timcenzo and The Moonbeams. This will be a great opportunity to have some fun, support I-Renew, learn about I-Renew's expanded program offerings in 2010, meet the staff and Board AND meet other like-minded individuals who share your passion for clean renewable energy. There is no charge for the event but donations are welcome.

For more info contact: Mike Carberry, Executive Director
Iowa Renewable Energy Association (I-Renew)
mobile: 319-594-6453; mike@irenew.org ; www.irenew.org

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because our food is inspected for safety. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of people die each year because they ate tainted food. But that does not happen in the US.

Food safety- brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? The population density of Johnson County is 181 people per square mile. Iowa City is 2,575 people per square mile. New York County, NY has a density of over 67,000 people per square mile.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

12-8-09

2009-12-05T17:24:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 12/8/09

The fall sports season is winding down, with the Hawks headed to a big Bowl game in January. This has been one of the most fun football seasons in memory.

Best of luck to the football Hawks! Meanwhile, be sure to take some time this winter to enjoy the exploits of some of the other athletic teams at the UI, local junior highs, and high schools. There are lots of exciting teams out there that deserve our support!

People who observe politics love labels, particularly “liberal” and “conservative”. I am not sure those labels actually serve much purpose.

I need look no further than my own life for examples. My Republican grandfather was, in many ways, more liberal than my Democratic grandfather. Both men were honest and fair, and they got along very well.

Personally, my beliefs are all over the board. For example:

When it comes to finances, I could easily be described as conservative. I have shirts that are 20 years old. My wife and I bought much less house than the bank said we could afford. We only heat the place to about 62 degrees. I drive people crazy shutting off lights. We bought the most fuel-efficient vehicle available.

In addition to finances, I could be viewed as conservative in other areas. I believe strongly in many traditions. I believe people should stand at attention during the National Anthem, and I get angry when they do otherwise. I believe in individual responsibility. Though I have no interest in it personally, I have no problem with private gun ownership. We are fairly strict parents. We attend church almost every Sunday. I think young people ought to dress more modestly. I love eating meat. I hate eminent domain.

On the other hand, I certainly fit many definitions of liberal. I believe government is good, and I think taxes are the price of a civilized society. I adamantly support gay rights. I believe in unions. I think those with much are morally obligated to help those with less. I believe in the separation of church and state. I believe healthcare is an unalienable right. We have African American children. We give thousands of dollars to social services agencies. We are foster parents. I think the death penalty should be abolished in all cases.

Libertarian? That confuses things even more. I believe marijuana should be legal, and the government should stay out of the bedroom. But I also strongly believe in government regulation of industry. I do not believe huge amounts of wealth should be transferred without being taxed.

Some people who really dislike me refer to me as a liberal. Some people who like me a lot refer to me as a liberal. I do not mind the label; I’m not afraid of the word. At the same time, I’m not sure it serves much purpose.

Similarly, I have no burning desire to be grouped with every person that shares most of my views. Some are wonderful people, others are not. Along the same lines, some folks who disagree with me on most everything are really good people. Some who disagree with me on most issues are most certainly not good people. The world is full of both.

I am happy to spell out where I stand on any given issue. I would prefer that we focus on issues rather than labels. What is your take?

Congratulations to Janelle Rettig, who was selected as the Democratic nominee for Johnson County Supervisor for the January 19, 2010 special election.

Please remember to vote in this vital election! If you are going to be away, request an absentee ballot.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because our system of parks and natural areas provides a connection to nature and a respite from our busy lives.

Imagine a world with no parks! Scary, isn’t it? Parks - brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Cook County, Illinois (population 6 million) has more residents who speak Polish (150,000) than Johnson County, Iowa has residents!

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

12-1-09

2009-11-28T16:00:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 12/1/09

I know that Johnson County is full of people who want to make the world a better place. If this sounds like you, I have a suggestion: consider becoming a foster parent. Melissa and I have served as foster parents for many years now, and it has been a truly rewarding experience.

In all seriousness, Johnson County is desperate for more foster parents. The Department of Human Services is very willing to work with families (or individuals) to match your needs with those of children needing a place to live.

Interested? Respond to this E-mail or give me a call. I’d be happy to discuss it in greater detail.

Local Republican and Democratic Parties will be meeting to select their respective candidates for the January 19 County Supervisor election.

The Democratic Party will hold its convention at 6:30 PM on December 3rd in Room 10 of the Pappajohn Business Building. Local Republicans will meet December 5 in the afternoon at the Coralville Public Library.

The January 19 special election will serve to fill the seat vacated upon the passing of Larry Meyers. That seat is currently being filled by Democrat Janelle Rettig, who was appointed to fill the vacancy. The winner of the January 19 election will serve until early November of 2010, when the winner of the general election will be seated.

As you know, Iowa City received a tremendous honor when the United Nations named it a UNESCO City of Literature, only the third in the world and the first in the Western Hemisphere.

So what has been happening since? Many outstanding ideas have been forwarded, and lots of bright people are trying to decide what do. For an update on the progress, see Pulitzertown.com or iowacityofliterature.com.

Congratulations to my dear friend (and Salvos reader!) Kirsten Running Marquardt of Cedar Rapids on her recent election to the Iowa House of Representatives.

Kirsten won a special election to fill the seat in House District 33 vacated by Dick Taylor. Many of you will know Kirsten as the Johnson County staff person with the Iowa Democratic Party back in 2000, or as a stalwart worker for SEIU Local 199 in Coralville.

Kirsten grew up in CR, and moved back there a few years ago. But I have no doubt that she will be happy to hear from her Johnson County friends in her new role. Congrats again, Kirsten!

Finding Our Balance Policy Summit -Securing Iowa’s Budget Now and For the Future. Friday, December 4 from 9am to 3pm at the Botanical Center in Des Moines.

The summit will examine and respond to the balance problem built into Iowa’s fiscal structure and budget practices. We are bringing in national and state experts to offer their perspectives. In addition, other speakers will offer a look at various possibilities for reforms in order to create a more sustainable budget for Iowans. This event will provide information about the challenges we all face as Iowans.

Please respond to aberg@cfpciowa.org if you are planning to attend. Please make the subject line "Will Attend," and include your contact information (name, organization, phone, email, etc.) in the body of the email.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because Meals on Wheels exists to provide nutrition to people who cannot leave home.

Over one million seniors take Meals on Wheels, with the number rising every day. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Wayne County, Indiana (population 71,000) has the highest percentage of its total population divorced - 19%. (Source: National Association of Counties.)

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

11-24-09

2009-11-22T18:21:00.000-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 11/24/09

Happy Thanksgiving! Looking back, 2009 was a very difficult year for me. Yet I know that I am truly blessed. I have many things for which I am thankful – including the wonderful folks who read Salvos each week!

Thank you for your interest, friendship, and understanding. Have a great holiday - all my best to you and yours.

A little over a year ago, voters were kind enough to give me a second term as a County Supervisor. I thought it might be a good idea to check in on my campaign promises (established about 20 months ago) to see how I am doing.

1). Increase County commitment to the environment: The big thing that happened on this front was the Conservation Bond initiative. While I can hardly take credit for that issue passing, I am certainly proud of the role I played.

Besides the bond initiative, the Conservation Department is moving into a new headquarters. Their current (soon to be former) facility is outdated, undersized, and frankly, unsafe. The new facility should facilitate an improvement in the efficiency of the Conservation Department.

In addition to good things in the Conservation Department, Johnson County has adopted a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan – the first County in Iowa to do so. This plan implements some common sense energy savings along with LEED certified buildings, organized vanpools, and other ambitious goals.

2). Improve dust control: Johnson County adopted a new Chip Seal policy that allows individuals to pay for chip seals in front of their own properties. In addition, Johnson County has identified priority roads for upgrading from dirt to gravel and gravel to chip seal.

3). Support Human Services: While we have not increased funding for Human Services, the pot of money has not been cut. I am committed to maintaining a strong safety net for our least fortunate citizens. That includes a look at “unfreezing” the amount of money Johnson County puts toward Health & Human Services.

4). Update the County Land Use Plan: This was completed not long after the election. There were several improvements to the LUP, including a much smaller and more dense rural growth area, and an end to the “phasing” concept. Unincorporated villages have finally been given some attention – Frytown and Sutliff have development plans, and Cosgrove is in the works. Johnson County has done a much better job of protecting sensitive areas, and the Plan instructs the Board & staff to protect farmland. We are limiting the number of wells and wastewater systems that go into the ground by encouraging shared systems.

So how have I done? I would have to say I feel pretty good so far. Perhaps you disagree with my measures in these areas. Perhaps you feel I have missed the boat somewhere else. Maybe I campaigned on the wrong issues altogether! If so, please let me know!

Johnson County has several openings on Boards and Commissions:

*The Compensation Commission needs 5 members. (1 member) – Owner of Farm Property; (2 members) – Licensed Real Estate Brokers or Sales Persons; (2 members) – Other Occupations.

*The Livable Community for Successful Aging Policy Board needs one member representing the University of Iowa.

*The Juvenile Justice Youth Development Program needs one representative from a social services agency, and 2 members representing local businesses.

*The Historic Preservation Commission needs 2 members.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions regarding any or all of these Boards and Commissions. We would love to have you apply!

The Homeless Children’s Trust 21st annual Holiday Party will be December 5th at the Moose Lodge in Iowa City. Please help support the concept to "make a child happy today" by supporting Stuff Etc. during the month of December. A portion of the daily proceeds will go toward the Homeless Children’s Trust fund, which not only pays for the annual party, but also the Back-to School effort every August.

Volunteers are needed to help at the party doing various tasks such as shopping with parents at K Mart, wrapping packages at K Mart, working in the kitchen at the Moose Lodge, monitoring children at the Moose Lodge, helping to sort and package the donations on Friday December 5th at HACAP. If you would like to assist at this really fun event call Mary at 338-1212 (days) or 337-2264 (evening). Donations are always welcome and can be sent to HACAP at 367 Southgate Ave., Iowa City.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because the Family and Medical Leave Act exists to protect your job if you need time off to care for a sick loved one.

Yes, the US still lags behind almost every other First World country in this area. But imagine not having the FMLA! Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County loses 3-5 tons of soil per acre of farmland per year. (Source: NRCS.)

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

11-17-09

2009-11-14T18:54:00.001-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 11/17/09

I have noted before that I believe Johnson County is blessed with the finest Public Health Department in the State of Iowa. The organization and administration of the recent H1N1 clinics have only reinforced my belief.

Thanks to everyone at the Johnson County Department of Public Health for all your efforts! Great job!

Johnson County has at long last adopted a Buy Local policy. I am surprised at how difficult this has been. The policy itself has no teeth and zero mandates; it simply says we MAY buy local. Yet folks seem to be gravely concerned over the ramifications.

Frankly, my guess is that the Board will do very little to enforce this policy. Perhaps the public will hold us to account. In any case, having a policy is a step in the right direction. I am proud that this day has finally arrived.

Johnson County continues to work on a Cosgrove village plan. As you may recall, one of the items that came out of our 2008 Land Use Plan update was a need to create land use plans specific to each of our 11 unincorporated villages. Plans have previously been completed for Frytown and Sutliff, and both were very successful. I expect the Cosgrove plan to be completed early in 2010.

Johnson County is putting the finishing touches on several road projects. Notably, Highway 965 is now open, and Oak Crest Hill Road is almost complete.

Both of these roads are known as “Transfer of Jurisdiction” or “TJ” roads. This is because the State of Iowa determined that they served a more local purpose, and would be a better fit as a part of the county secondary roads systems.

I agree that it made sense to transfer these roads from the State to the county. But here is the rub: the State agreed to pay $200,000 a year for ten years for all maintenance for all TJ roads - total. The current Oak Crest Hill and 965 projects combined to cost almost $4 million, and we have only done half of each road. Plus, there are several additional TJ roads that also need work.

Given the condition of these roads and the total mileage involved, the State should have transferred $1,000,000 per year for ten years to cover the cost of these roads. What occurred instead was yet another unfunded mandate.

Johnson County is catching up on the much-needed maintenance of these roads. But it is unfortunate that it is taking so much local time and local money.

November 15-21 is national Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week. The following local & state groups are sponsoring a Community Connections Day on November 18th to provide information and services for persons who are homeless and in need: Johnson County Local Homeless Coordinating Board, University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, Iowa Finance Authority, & Iowa City Human Rights Commission.

Community donations of new socks and underwear are requested for distribution during Community Connections Day, and donations can be made until 4:30pm on Tuesday November 17th at the following locations: Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, Coralville City Hall, Iowa City City Hall, and Johnson County Health & Human Services Building.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because FEMA exists to act when disasters strike. Face it – there is no way a local government could ever possibly save enough money to cover the losses from a natural disaster. The only way we can address these types of issues is through federal intervention.

Yes, FEMA has problems. But where would we be without the help of that agency following our recent floods? FEMA helped tremendously. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County has suffered 34 suicides in 2009, up from 19 in 2008. (Source: Medical Examiner’s Office.)

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

11-10-09

2009-11-07T19:33:00.001-06:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 11/10/09

A belated Happy Birthday to my daughter Rachel, who turned 18 on November 6. It is pretty hard to believe that Rachel is now a legal adult! It is a little scary, too!

Happy Birthday, Honey. I know it has not been easy, but you have come very far. I love you with all my heart!

Happy Veteran’s Day on November 11. I salute the women and men who have worn the uniform of our country. I hope we soon get to a point where we are not putting so many of our young people in harm’s way. Until that day, thank you to all who have sacrificed.

Congratulations to all the winners of the recent City Council elections, and thanks to everyone who ran for office. The next four years will undoubtedly present us with several challenges – best of luck!

All the wet weather this fall is making it very tough on my friends and family in agriculture. You may have noticed that the combining is running behind. Please join me in hoping for continued dry weather!

In keeping with the wet theme, “Water In – Water Out in Johnson County” will be presented by the Johnson County League of Women Voters Regional Governance Committee Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM at the Coralville Public Library.

Four regional experts in water management issues will give brief presentations and answer questions. For more information call Carol Spaziani, 338-6140.

I have been on Twitter for some time now. While I was dubious at first, I really like tweeting!

I do not have texting on my phone, so I only get tweets from the people I follow when I log onto the Twitter site. Because of this, it goes without saying that I am much more into sending than receiving. I follow about 25 other tweeters.

My tweets have tended to be at night, and tend to describe the upcoming day. But there is a bit of everything. If you are interested, feel free to follow me! And if you are following someone really interesting, please recommend her!

As you know, I frequently write about issues of poverty, class, taxes, and the like. People take from it what they will. I just came across some interesting statistics that may add some perspective to the discussion.

The median income for a household in the US is $48,000. That may include one or two incomes; it may include one family member or seven. The median household income is $48,000.

If you take the middle 60 percent of all household incomes, they range between $25,000 and $97,000. That is one definition of middle class. 20 percent of households earn over $97,000. More strikingly, 20 percent of households earn less than $25,000. Yet fully five out of six Americans describe themselves as being middle class.

A household that earns over $250,000 (again, regardless of one or two wage earners) is in the top 2% of all American households. Imagine where that places them among all the people of the world! Yet few people earning $250,000 consider themselves wealthy.

I know Melissa and I have always viewed ourselves as middle class… for the first time ever this year we now earn $100,000 between us. So I guess we are statistically actually wealthy! And realistically, compared to everyone else, we are. We need to remember that, particularly when we are asked to donate our time, talents, and finances to various charities.

As we approach Thanksgiving, keep in mind how well we do compared to our fellow human beings. Life is good, and we are truly blessed.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because FEMA exists to act when disasters strike. Face it – there is no way a local government could ever possibly save enough money to cover the losses from a natural disaster. The only way we can address these types of issues is through federal intervention.

Yes, FEMA has problems. But where would we be without the help of that agency following our recent floods? FEMA helped tremendously. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? More Iowa females own farmland now than ever before. (Many were joint owners who are now widows.)

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

11-3-09

2009-10-31T19:00:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 11/3/09

Congratulations to Janelle Rettig, who was recently appointed as the newest Johnson County Supervisor. As you are undoubtedly aware, there was a large, diverse, outstanding pool of applicants. Thanks to every individual who chose to throw a hat into the ring. I respect people who put their name on the line and do more than just talk.

I look forward to working with Janelle, and promise to help her get up to speed in every way possible.

The issue of geography came up briefly in the County Supervisor appointment. I do not believe geography matters nearly as much as people think.

One recent high-profile example - Supervisor Harney lives in Newport Township, yet disagreed with the vast majority of Newport residents over the road.

Personally, I recently voted to vacate a road that is home to one of my friends, very near where I grew up. That was not fun, but I felt I needed to ignore the geography.

Geography is but one thing that binds people together. Despite the immigration of the past two decades, we remain a small community in many ways. Frankly, most elections are won because of who your Mom and Dad are/were. There are old friendships to take into account. Every election has issues of gender, race, religion, occupation, education, political party, and income level, just to name a few.

These issues aren't usually well publicized, but it is clear that many farmers vote for farmers, many UI folks vote for UI folks, many Catholics vote for Catholics, and so forth. This does not even take into account the actual issues of the day - public safety, roads, social services, taxes, and the like. Does geography matter? Yes, but not nearly as much as people think.

This leads to the issue of Supervisor districts. Linn and Washington Counties recently adopted a district system, where the county is divided into 5 districts and only the people in that district vote for that Supervisor. Sups must live in the district they represent. I have several issues with a district system.

First, as I pointed out, geography is often less important than people realize. (See my arguments above.)

Secondly, we have a system of one person, one vote. Iowa City, with 70,000 residents, will always have more voters than Oxford, with 700. Law would not allow a district to be gerrymandered in such a way to guarantee a Supervisor from Oxford. If we had districts, each would contain about 27,000 residents. A district that included Oxford, Tiffin, Swisher, Shueyville, and lots of rural residents would still only amount to 7,000 people. Even if you added North Liberty to the mix, the district would be 10,000 people short. So the idea that you are going to get an Oxford-based Supervisor is still slim.

The best bet for someone wanting a Sup from Oxford is to find a good candidate in Oxford, work with her on issues, and urge her to run. Good candidates CAN win regardless of where they live; it is difficult to win BECAUSE of where you live.

Thirdly, districts actually eliminate good candidates. It is entirely possible that the two best candidates live next door to each other. Why eliminate one from holding office? If it was a job interview and you were determined to hire the two best people, you wouldn’t even look at where they lived.

Fourthly, districts add inefficiency to government by creating a patronage system. If Swisher gets a road repair one year, Lone Tree will get one the next, whether it is needed or not. Because rather than looking out for the best interests of the entire county, you have created a system that rewards “bringing home the bacon.”

Fifthly, districts eliminate some of the representative nature of government. All 5 Sups vote on ordinances, the budget, and everything else. If a Sup is going to spend my tax dollars, I want to have a say by being able to vote for or against her. And the Rural Fund makes up only $3 million of the $84 million dollar county budget.

Finally, I dislike identity politics. I frequently hear, “We need a couple farmers on the Board.” I understand the reasoning, but I disagree. Look at all the flaws in this argument:

1. Not all farmers think alike, and not all farmers will vote alike. And who defines which people are “really” farmers?

2. Johnson County has about 4,000 on-farm residents. (That amounts to 3% of overall county residents, and a little less than one in 5 rural residents.) Johnson County has many more teachers than farmers; why don’t we need a teacher on the Board?

3. In continuing the identity politics, Johnson County is home to 4,300 Latinos; 6,000 African Americans; 13,000 people with disabilities; 6,000 gays and lesbians; 19,000 seniors; 25,000 people with Master’s Degrees or higher. Must we ensure that each of these groups is represented? If so, how do we accomplish this on a 5 person Board?

4. What does it mean “to be represented?” While not African American, I am sensitive to issues of race through having three African American children. While not a farmer, I grew up on a farm, and we still have several in the family. While I do not have a disability, I used to work at The Arc. Each Supervisor could go on similarly as to why she/he represents everyone well.

I hope that Johnson County never heads down the ill-conceived path of Supervisor districts.

The Homeless Children's Trust will hold its first annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 7 at 7:30pm at Old Brick. Kevin B F Burt and Kol Shira will be performing. Terrence Neuzil will MC and Chef Mickey's will be providing gourmet desserts.

The Homeless Children's Trust provides homeless children back to school supplies, socks and underwear in August, and holds a holiday party providing each child with gifts, snacks, games, and fun. The Homeless Children's Trust also provides emergency funds such as prescriptions, shoes, and outer clothing throughout the year.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at HACAP, 2007 Waterfront Drive, Iowa City, HACAP at 2441 10th St., Coralville, or at AFSCME, 1700 South First Avenue, Suite 19, Iowa City. Any questions call Mary Larew at 338-1212 or 337-2264.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because the Earned Income Tax Credit provides a great incentive for low-income workers to keep working and stay off the dole. The key word here is “earned”.

Ronald Reagan, not a fan of many government programs, was a huge supporter of this program. And the results speak for themselves. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? An average acre of farmland in east central Iowa (including Johnson County) goes for $4743. (Source: ISU Extension.)

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

10-27-09

2009-10-25T12:31:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 10/27/09

Happy Halloween! I hope you scare more people than scare you, and I hope you get all the best candy! Please be careful out there, and watch out for young trick-or-treaters.

Election Day is coming right up, and every city in Johnson County has a race! For more info on who is running, when and where you can vote, and more important voting information, please check out the Johnson County Auditor’s website at: http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor .

There are several good folks stepping down from City Council positions throughout Johnson County. Thanks to each and every one of them for their service!

A special shout out to North Liberty Councilor Jim Wozniak, who has decided against seeking reelection. I have had the pleasure of working with Jim on numerous topics during his 4 years, and I can assure you that North Liberty is a better place because of his time in office. Good luck in the future, Jim!

Happy 20th anniversary to Life Skills, Inc.! Life Skills has assisted lots of people during 20 years of existence. Congratulations to Executive Director Gillian Fox and all the folks there. For more info on Life Skills, see: http://www.lifeskills-inc.com.

Johnson County is beginning the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11), which will begin July 1st of 2010. Here are some ongoing budget issues, and my take on them:

General Fund versus Rural Fund: If you pay property taxes in Johnson County, you pay into the General Fund. All taxpayers do. If you live in the unincorporated area of the county, you also pay into the Rural Fund. The Rural Fund covers expenses specific to rural residents – mostly roads, but also libraries, landfill, and a couple smaller expenses. There are wide variations between counties as to what should be supported by the rural fund. Johnson County pays for virtually everything from the General Fund. (Only $3 million of the $84 million dollar budget is the Rural Fund.) Other counties do things differently.

Any single individual can easily create a budget: It isn’t that hard to support the programs and services you like, then cut the ones you don’t. It is much more difficult to do this for 135,000 people. Similarly, it isn’t that hard to decide how much you think you ought to pay in taxes, then apply that County wide. It is more difficult when you then recognize how many valuable services would need to be cut. Creating a budget that works for 135,000 people is challenging.

Taxes versus services: I had a man complain to me about his taxes. The next day, his wife complained about the condition of their road. They simply can’t have it both ways! Yes, this is an anecdote, but it sums up the fundamental budgetary difficulty- people want to pay less in taxes, but get more services. It cannot be done.

Mandated versus optional services: Some services are required by law. For example, Johnson County is obligated to hold elections. Other services are optional. For example, Johnson County has no legal obligation to fund DVIP. I take issue with things being portrayed this simply. Let’s go back to elections. While elections are mandated, there is no mandate as to the amount of elections staff, computer equipment, or other expenses. The law says we must do it, but it does not specify the amount we must spend. Funding DVIP may, in fact, be a very productive way to work toward Johnson County’s mission.

Conservative budgeting versus low taxes: It is important for folks to recognize that the lowest possible tax rate does not equate to the most conservative budgeting. For example – the most conservative budgeting includes money for maintenance. You need to spend money on upkeep, whether roads, buildings, or vehicles – or you’ll spend more in the long run. And I REFUSE to buy into the idea that taxes are inherently evil! Taxes are the price of supporting a civilized society.

Want to know a government’s priorities? Look at the budget. With that said, I encourage citizens to join us at our budget meetings. (The calendar is on the website.) Meanwhile, what are your priorities? Now is the time to let us know!

I recently read an interesting book called “The Numbers Game” by Michael Blastland and Andrew Dilnot. The whole idea is helping folks to make sense of statistical claims.

I love things like this! Here is one tidbit: Some people have difficulty imagining the scale of millions and billions. One helpful way to grasp the concept is to think in terms of seconds. A million seconds is 11.5 days. A billion seconds is almost 32 years.

You and your family are invited to "Bite into Healthy School Lunches!" Oct. 29 at 6pm at Old Brick--where you will actually be biting into a FREE dinner. Thanks to the generosity of Old Brick, VegFund, and the Red Avocado, this is a FREE educational-outreach event to call attention to Healthy School Lunches, a national campaign of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and the Cancer Project. Sen. Joe Bolkcom will deliver the keynote address. To reserve a few seats or an entire table contact Elizabeth at 358-0134 or ecummings@cancerproject.org .

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because Medicare exists to provide medical care to our seniors. We all know scores of people who cannot wait until they reach the age of eligibility for Medicare. That is because the program works for our seniors!

Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Chauncey Swan, John Ronalds, and Robert Ralston were appointed as the first commissioners for Johnson County in the Iowa Territory. Their job included the locating and planning of the new capitol.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

10-20-09

2009-10-16T19:13:00.000-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 10/20/09

Congratulations to President Obama on being honored with the 2009 Nobel Prize for Peace.

Frankly, I am not certain the President deserves this award. As much as anything, this award seems to be saying, “Thank you for not being George W. Bush.” It appears that the people at Nobel are making this award in anticipation of good things to come. They want America to return to a position of moral leadership in the world.

I sincerely hope they are correct. We just entered the eighth year of our war in Afghanistan. The objectives there, while once clear, now seem murky at best. It is time to go. We cannot win the “hearts and minds” through occupation.

Then there is the war in Iraq. My family is on our third sign opposing this war; two others completely wore out. The objectives there were never clear. We need to get out of Iraq as soon as possible.

Military leaders will ALWAYS believe that they can turn the tide and win the day. I wouldn’t want it any other way. They are always going to be supremely confident in their capabilities. It is up to the civilian leaders to decide when the fight is worth the cost. In these two cases, the costs are too great.

While there have certainly been American military interventions that made sense in a moral context, too many have not. I have seen a bumper sticker that says, “I’m already against the next war.” This sums it up pretty well for me. Good luck, Mr. President. Please prove the Nobel folks right!

The 25th Annual Iowa City Human Rights Breakfast is October 22 at 7:30 AM at the Hotel Vetro.

I love this event. I am so proud to live in a community that embraces these ideals, and demonstrates it by holding this type of event.

We need the Iowa City Human Right Commission now more than ever. My own personal experiences with racism in our community have shaken my faith a bit. It is good to see that hundreds of people are willing to publicly state otherwise. It is helpful to know that most people in this community truly value human rights.

Thanks to the Commission for their important work, and congratulations to all the deserving winners.

The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding its annual Fall BBQ Saturday, October 24 from 2 to 6 PM at the Hills Community Center in Hills.

For more info, see: http://jcdems.org/wp.

The Johnson County Heritage Trust is holding its annual “Under a Cider Moon” fundraising event Saturday evening, October 24 at The Celebration Barn, 2501 Sugar Bottom Road in Solon.

The following items are available for auction:

*A dinner for 6 with wine at the home of Paul Weller and Sara Rynes in North Liberty. After dinner presention by Linda and Robert Scarth, authors of the book "Deep Nature".

*MidWest One has donated a Times Roman "T" that is 5' tall and 8"-10" deep from the previous Iowa State Bank and Trust West Branch location.

*Minnetta Gardinier will provide a bird's eye view of the Johnson County Heritage Trust properties from her 1978 Cessna Cardinal Classic airplane.

*The Cedar Rapids Rough Rider Hockey Team has donated a Luxury Suite for up to 20 people with 2 VIP parking passes.

*A week for 2 at Dave Parson's Grand Cayman Condo.

*Friendly Farms' locally grown flowers to be delivered 6 consecutive weeks to your home!

*Also available for auction will be original artwork by Dick Sjolund and Marcia Wegman, 2 airline tickets to Las Vegas, golf packages, dinner parties, tickets to Riverside, Englert and Old Creamery Theatres, certificates to local nurseries, fly fishing excursions, restaurants and oh so much more!

For more information on this event or the efforts of the Johnson County Heritage Trust, see http://www.jcht.org.

The 2009 11th Annual Pat Meyer Vision Award for outstanding commitment to end domestic violence will be presented to Mary Ann Pedde, Advocate with The Domestic Violence Intervention Program. For many years, Mary Ann has advocated for the rights of victims, worked to improve the environment where victims seek support, and educated our community about the impact of violence against women.

The award will be presented Thursday, October 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library, Room A. Congratulations, Mary Ann!

I-Renew’s Residential Solar Hot Water Workshop is October 24th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of solar liquid collector systems for heating domestic hot water.

Lone Tree is holding a pumpkin carving contest October 27, with a special performance by bluesman Kevin B.F. Burt. Entry forms and more information available at www.lonetreeiowa.com.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because Medicaid exists to provide healthcare for our poorest citizens. Thousands of children and people with disabilities get the medical care they need because of Medicaid. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Kalona is the largest Amish community west of the Mississippi River.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

10-13-09

2009-10-11T16:54:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 10/13/09

I was proud of the Board recently, as we chose to buy local. (Newspapers missed the story.) Here was the scenario:

Johnson County got quotes on pavement markings; in other words, painting the lines on county roads. A company from Sioux County (5 hours from here) came in at $12/gallon. LL Pelling, based in North Liberty, came in at $12.40/gallon. That amounts to a cost differential of about 3%.

The cost of the contract is $60,000. The recommendation was to take the lower bid. I disagreed. So, the Board needed to decide – did we want to paint 3 more miles of road, or spend the $60,000 in such a way that it will recirculate throughout our economy? I think this is a no-brainer.

$60,000 easily supports a full-time employee at LL Pelling. That is an employee who buys a house in North Liberty, sends her kids to our schools, buys her gas and groceries and car insurance in our county, volunteers her time here, and pays her taxes here. The same $60K spent with a Sioux County firm leaves, never to return.

LL Pelling typically lays off several workers over the winter; such is the seasonal nature of their work. Odds are that this contract will keep a few employees working a few weeks longer this year. It might mean a few more presents under the tree for a few families.

I have been fighting for several years to get Johnson County to adopt a Buy Local policy. (I first brought it up in 2005.) It has been a long, slow process. Even though we signed on to the Chamber Buy Here initiative, I could never get Johnson County to follow through and actually adopt a policy. This example is why it matters.

Understand, a Buy Local policy does not change the public bidding process. A policy would only apply to expenditures small enough that no bids are required. Taxpayers remain protected under a Buy Local policy; I think taxpayers actually benefit substantially. I’ll continue advocating for such a policy. I hope we get there someday soon.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here in Johnson County, we are blessed with the premier service system in the state. Unfortunately, our outstanding services only scratch the surface of the needs we have in this area.

Support for victims of domestic violence and their loved ones is available through the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP). DVIP began in 1977, providing direct service support to more than 28,000 women, men and children during the past two decades. In one year DVIP will answer approximately 18,000 crisis/phone calls and provide more than 8000 nights of safe shelter to approximately 400 women and children.

For more info on DVIP, or how you can help them in their mission, visit their website at: http://www.dvipiowa.org.

The annual Run for the Schools event is Sunday, October 18. My family and I will miss the event this year for the first time in a long while. I hope the rest of you can get out and support our schools!

I came across a very disturbing set of statistics recently, and unfortunately, the stats are local! Health Iowa surveyed many UI students over the past 12 months. The results are scary:

44% of UI students surveyed felt overwhelmed by anxiety in the past year. 26% reported being so depressed they found it difficult to function.

These are our neighbors. They are clearly stressed. Many nonstudents in our community are similarly troubled. So what can we do?

We just had National Mental Illness Awareness Week. NAMI can and does help. The Mid East Iowa Community Mental Health Center serves those who walk in. We are blessed with other outstanding community providers.

Despite our resources, it is not enough. We need to somehow create a community that is more caring. We need to do more to reach out to our friends and neighbors. I know I am not doing all I can in this area… I welcome any ideas any of you have. If someone comes up with a clever idea, I’ll share it.

The University of Iowa will host a symposium Oct. 16-17 examining new energy opportunities being created in response to the growing challenge of climate change. “Energy and Climate Change in the Midwest: Creating Opportunities in the New Economy,” will take place at the UI Athletic Club.

National experts from an array of backgrounds will be speaking. Topics to be covered include the state of the science, economic impacts, renewable energy, energy efficiency, agricultural issues, and policy responses at the local, state, and federal levels. For more information and to register visit http://ppc.uiowa.edu/dnn4/Default.aspx?tabid=295

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because Social Security is available to provide help to the most vulnerable among us.

Yes, there needs to be a bit of tinkering with the program to ensure a solid financial future. That has been done before, and will be done again. Meanwhile, Social Security has helped millions of Americans avoid poverty and death. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County SEATS is designed for paratransit, but there are several opportunities for groups of non-disabled riders to use the service. For more info, contact SEATS at 339-6128.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

10-6-09

2009-10-03T18:25:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 10/6/09

It is Homecoming this week at the UI. I love the traditions and pageantry of Homecoming, from the buttons to the parade to the painted windows. It infuses us with an extra sense of community.

I hope everyone in Johnson County gets an opportunity to get out and enjoy Homecoming Week! Go Hawks!

The untimely passing of Supervisor Larry Meyers has triggered some interesting governmental processes. The following is copied from the Johnson County Auditor’s website (http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/vacancy09/vacmenu.htm).

It is the County's legal responsibility to act quickly to fill Meyers' seat, so that the people of Johnson County may be represented by a full Board of Supervisors as soon as possible. Under Iowa law that duty falls to a committee of the Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer.

On Monday, Sept. 28, the committee unanimously decided to appoint a Supervisor. The appointee would serve until the November 2010 general election, unless the public petitions for a special election. The petition would require 7,299 signatures (10 percent of the presidential vote in the 2008 general election).

Meyers' term was scheduled to run through December 31, 2010. Two Supervisors will be elected to four-year terms in the November 2, 2010 general election. Following the canvass of votes from the November 2010 election (on November 8 or 9), an elected Supervisor will immediately take office to replace the appointee.

The committee is tentatively scheduled to make its appointment at a meeting beginning at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for October 22, 23, and 26. This schedule is subject to change.
Interested eligible electors who have resided in Johnson County for 60 days prior to appointment may apply. A resume and cover letter stating why the applicant is interested in serving the public in this capacity should be mailed or delivered to: Johnson County Auditor 913 S. Dubuque St. Suite 101 Iowa City, IA 52240.

Applications must be received in the Auditor's Office by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Applications and supporting documents, along with minutes and agendas, will be posted on this page, which will be frequently updated as the committee continues its work.

I got a letter the other day that REALLY made me angry! William Fehrman, President of MidAmerican Energy sent me a letter explaining why he thinks the energy bill moving through Congress will cost me more money.

You know what costs me money, Mr. Fehrman? When you use your monopoly status and my hard-earned money to lobby against my best interests!

You know what costs me money, Mr. Fehrman? When you use your monopoly status and my hard-earned money to advertise to an audience that has no other choice!

MidAmerican enjoys a privileged status as a private utility in Iowa. I have no problem with the service they provide; I have found them to be very dependable. The local MidAmerican employees seem to work really hard, and do a fine job. But it infuriates me when the company’s management spends our money to make things worse for us!

MidAmerican is holding a series of meetings (propaganda sessions) to discuss the issue. One meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday, October 7 from noon-1:30 at Old Brick in Iowa City. Show up and let MidAmerican know how you feel!

Johnson County is not necessarily thought of as a fall tourist destination, but it should be! We are blessed with lots of locations that offer beautiful fall foliage and other fall scenery. A few of my favorites:

· North of the Iowa River, south and west of Swisher.

· East of the Iowa River, south and west of Solon.

· The Frytown Conservation area, Kent Park, and other County Conservation areas.

· In and along the Amish & Mennonite areas of the County, particularly 540th and 560th Streets.

· Sutliff.

· Lake MacBride State Park.

There are many other great locations, but these will get you started. I think you’ll find that they compare favorably with Iowa’s better-known spots. Take some time to enjoy the fall splendor, and do it here in Johnson County!

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because the Veteran’s Medical System exists to meet the medical needs of the women and men who have served our country.

By most measures, the VA system is effective and efficient. Sure, it can be improved. But imagine the difficulties our veterans would have without it! Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? A township is the smallest form of County government… roughly 36 square miles.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

9-29-09

2009-09-26T18:04:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 9/29/09

I am not sure how to start this off, so I’ll begin with the facts. Johnson County Supervisor Larry Meyers passed away around 1PM on September 22. Larry is survived by a sister, three brothers, and his adult son, Jordan.

I had known Larry since 1999, when he ran the Caucuses in Newport Township. Larry enjoyed talking politics, but did not set out to be a candidate for office; he was drafted, for lack of a better description. Despite this somewhat unique entrée into elective office, Larry took the job of Supervisor very seriously, and served Johnson County well.

Larry was a really fine man, and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He was bright, funny, optimistic, and loved to learn new things. Larry truly cared about people, and always wanted to do right by folks.

Larry was always reasonable, but passionate about many issues. He cared deeply about land use, and caused many people to take a strong look at the things we encourage.

The best part of the service was when Jordan and others spoke about Larry’s amazing job as a single father. He worked full time, volunteered at school, made it to Cub Scouts, conferences, and concerts. He cooked supper and did laundry and read to his son… he did everything that two parents need to do. He obviously did it well. And he did it by himself.

I enjoyed serving with Larry, but I do not think of him as a coworker. I think of him as a friend. I will miss you, Larry. I’ll miss you in the beer tent at Beef Days. I hope you are already golfing up there. Rest in peace, my friend.

One final appeal (I promise!) to come get your apples! They are very tasty, and have not been sprayed. Please let me know if you are interested.

I have had several discussions with other people lately about the vitriol that seems to be out there of late. People seem to be meaner than a few years ago, and looking to criticize and/or hurt everyone in their path. I have seen it at the convenience store, schools, high school sports, work - just about everywhere.

I am sometimes guilty of ignoring the Christian example and responding in kind. I have done that a couple times in the past couple years, and that came under public scrutiny recently. Obviously, my exchanges with these two individuals were not work-related, and were intended to be private. I still should not have said what I said, and I regret my actions. I apologize to all for my poor choices.

That does not change the fact that I feel the Press Citizen enables racism in our community. They do not perpetrate the act, but they hand the Klansmen their sheets. It is a problem, but they do not see it. The paper has chosen to target me because I am a critic. And trust me, there is a lot of stuff they are not telling/showing you!

As some of you may know, I have 3 African American children. I guess this stuff hurts me more deeply than I ever realized. I certainly need to apologize for my language. But I am not going to apologize for standing up to bullies and bigots.

But I can’t change the Press Citizen or the people who post there. I can control my reaction to the racists. I am hereby done posting on that site. I am speaking with a counselor to talk some things out. I promise I’ll try to do better.

I had the privilege of serving as a judge for the 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off in Lone Tree. This event was the brainchild of Helen Lemley, and was held in conjunction with the Lone Tree Farmers Market.

There was music, food, and 14 types of chili to sample! The event was simply wonderful, and shows what a little imagination can do for a small town. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to participate.

The winners, in case you were wondering: 1st Place: Alyssa Werbach - $1,000; 2nd Place: Mary Larson - $500; 3rd Place: Chanda Ruess - $100 plus a 1 night stay at Riverside Casino; Peoples Choice: Nancy Yakish - $50 + $30 Gift Certificate to LT’s Grocery.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Every year in the US, consumer products cause 21,700 deaths, 28 million injuries, and cost us $200 billion. That compares very favorably with countries of similar populations. (Source: Times-Picayune.)

Imagine things without the CPSC! What if we used market forces to get defective car tires off the market? (Just wait until enough people die – then they’ll change!) The CPSC keeps us safe. Brought to you by your GOVERNMENT!

October 4-10 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. The local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has events all week long.

Please see: http://www.nami.org/MSTemplate.cfm?MicrositeID=60 for more information.

The Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Johnson County is holding its 3rd annual Art Auction fundraiser and 60th anniversary celebration October 4th from 4-7 PM at the Brown Deer Clubhouse.

Tickets are $30, and include wine and hors d’oeuvres. You can make reservations by calling 337-9686.

VNA is a wonderful organization that helps thousands of vulnerable Johnson County residents every year. Please help them if you can!

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County has 21 townships.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

9-22-09

2009-09-20T13:20:00.000-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 9/22/09

Please stop by and pick some apples! We truly have far more than we could ever use, and I hate to see such good food go to waste. If you picked some once, pick some more! Just reply to this E-mail if you would like to arrange a time to stop by.

For fans of great writing, local author Larry Baker has a new novel out. A Good Man is now available at local bookstores.

Harry Ducharme is at the end of his rope. Booze and bad decisions have taken him from the A-list of talk-radio fame down to a tiny station in St. Augustine, Florida. He talks mostly to himself, not sure anybody is listening, reading books and poetry that he likes, playing golden oldies from the 60s, and wondering how he got there.

From Iowa farm to Florida beach, Harry is surrounded by men and women with their own burdens to carry. Eventually, his role becomes intertwined with contemporary politics, Iraq, 9/11, old-time religion, and classic literature from writers like Flannery O’Connor and Emily Dickinson, as well as the music of Harry Chapin.

Larry Baker will be reading from A Good Man November 19 at Prairie Lights… make sure you have a copy by then!

I continue to struggle with the role of the Press Citizen in our community-wide dialogue over race, class, crime, low-income housing, immigration, and other issues.

First let me clear up a common misperception: freedom of speech does not apply here. Freedom of speech means the government cannot limit your speech. It does not apply to speech between two private entities. The PC is a private business, and they can say virtually anything they wish. They can also provide a forum (or not) for virtually anything they wish.

Here is the way things play out currently: write anonymous, racist, hateful comments, and the Press Citizen will publish them. Stand up to the anonymous, racist, hateful comments, and they censor your posts.

It is like being in a bizarro universe! I cannot believe this is really where the Press Citizen is choosing to be on these issues. It is difficult times like these that require a local paper to step up and serve as a leader in promoting public discussions. Unfortunately, instead of contributing to solutions, the PC has chosen to exacerbate the problems.

I am sure I’ll get an E-mail from someone at the PC following this column. They will express once again that they have a “report abuse” system in place. So nothing will change. I just wish they understood how much good they could be doing, and how badly they are failing us.

The 2009 Amish Tour to Cure Cancer Bike Ride is Saturday, September 26 at 9 AM.

The Courage Ride, in honor of Seth Bailey, raises money for researching cancer. Proceeds from ride registrations and donations go to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa. Proceeds from 2008 = $52,906.

This year's ride starts and ends at the Iowa Mennonite School where Seth Bailey played basketball.

In November 1995, seventeen-year-old Seth Bailey was surprised when a sore leg turned into a diagnosis of soft-tissue Synovial Sarcoma. After a valiant fight, he died in 2004. This ride was organized as a tribute to Seth and to others who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The Courage Ride is for amateur and experienced bike enthusiasts alike! Riders will choose to ride 16, 24, 39, 67, or 95 miles. The day begins with Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast. Riders will also enjoy snacks along the route at several well-stocked rest stops. For those riding longer routes, lunch will be included at Wellman. Riders on shorter routes will have lunch at IMS. Showers are available at the school.

Spend a part of your day with us riding through glorious country, listening to the music of local artists at rest stops and the Iowa Mennonite School. Whether you want to raise money for the cause, or just register and ride for the sheer joy of it, this ride is for you. To register, visit http://www.courageride.org/

All City High Alumni, Students, Staff, Families and Friends are invited to City High on Sunday, September 27 from 2 pm to 4 pm for a 70th Anniversary Kick Off Party to begin a year of celebrating 70 years in the beautiful Morningside Drive building. The program will consist of speeches by City High alumni and current students, a short musical tribute, displays of City High memorabilia, tours of the building and refreshments.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because our water is very clean relative to the rest of the world. According to UNICEF, 1.8 million children die every year from unclean drinking water. Clean water… brought to you by GOVERNMENT!

DID YOU KNOW? The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) served 1,870 people in FY09.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

9-15-09

2009-09-12T19:33:00.000-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 9/15/09

Apples! Come and get your apples! We have more than we can use. Just reply to this E-mail if you’d like to come get some.

The Johnson County Livable Community for Successful Aging Committee will be holding a community visioning meeting September 18 at 8:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City.

Johnson County is a real leader in creating a great place to grow old. The Livable Community initiative has been a resounding success. To learn more, see: http://www.livablecommunity.org/johnsoncounty/welcome.aspx.

Johnson County will be having our annual sale of used PCs, printers and other computer related equipment on Saturday, September 19 from 9am – noon in the Health and Human Services Building, 855 S. Dubuque.

You can find the link to the equipment we have for sale at www.johnson-county.com > the link is on the left side of the page.

Diversity Circles encourage dialogue to create awareness, to help develop sensitivity to and understanding of others, and to build and strengthen ourselves and our community.

The facilitator guided discussions on such issues as race, immigration, religion, and sexuality encourage participants to take action for positive change. Thursday, September 24 from 6-8 p.m. Scanlon Gymnasium/Mercer Park Aquatic Center.

Sponsored by: City of Iowa City Human Rights Division, City of Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, Johnson County Social Services, Women’s Resource & Action Center and the Iowa City Community School District.

Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because governments provide our outstanding system of roads and highways. Good luck trading with someone in Ohio without using roads! Privatized roads? They suck.

So, next time someone tells you governments cannot do anything right, ask them how they got there. Odds are good they used a road!

60% of Johnson County voters approved the Conservation Bond Issue in November of 2008. These folks were voting to authorize $20 million over 20 years to preserve woodlands and wetlands, clean up our water, create trails, and prevent flooding, among many other things.

So what has happened since? The Johnson County Conservation Board has purchased an 87-acre riparian tract along Clear Creek, south and west of Tiffin and west of Coralville.

This acquisition will improve the water quality in Clear Creek. It will preserve woodlands and wetlands. It will help prevent flooding damage in Coralville due to Clear Creek. It will be the home of a future trail from Coralville, through Tiffin, to Kent Park.

The land cost $420,280… a great price for land in the booming east end of the Clear Creek Amana school district. This is a GREAT purchase that will benefit the people of Johnson County for the next century and beyond.

Great job, voters! Great job, Conservation Board! Way to keep those campaign promises!

Remember when I quoted the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior- “Charity is no substitute for justice”? Nowhere is this more vivid than our ongoing healthcare debate.

My wife is a scientist, but also a Registered Pharmacist. She has volunteered at the Free Medical Clinic for years. Melissa never misses an opportunity to donate her time or money to that particular organization. Her charity is wonderful.

But wouldn’t justice be better? Wouldn’t it be nice if those folks had healthcare coverage? Then Melissa could put het time and money toward another good cause.

Let’s hope Congress gives the people of the US a taste of justice where healthcare is concerned.

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County has 6,701 residents who served in the military (active duty) during wartime.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

9-8-09

2009-09-06T09:05:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 9/8/09

We have apples! They are excellent for baking, and pretty good right off the tree. We have more than we could ever use… feel free to share in our bounty! Please contact me if you would like to come pick some.

School Board elections are today across Johnson County. Perhaps the most amazing thing about these elections is how few people actually vote.

In the ICCSD, the records for both raw turnout (5,341) and percentage turnout (8.6%) were set in 1999, when Don Jackson, Lauren Reece, and Dale Schultz were elected over Tom Thrams, incumbent Susan Mims, and Cindy Parsons. (Listed in order of most to least votes.)

2009 feels like a similar election. Six candidates. Budgetary issues. The community seems tuned in and focused on the race.

Even some of the players are the same. Dale Schultz is a Co-Chair of Sarah Swisher’s campaign. Susan Mims is now running for the Iowa City Council. Lauren Reece has publicly opined against the process used in the closing of Roosevelt Elementary.

There are some differences, however. For one thing, the population in the ICCSD has expanded tremendously in those 10 years, so the raw vote totals might be in jeopardy even if the percentage is not. It will be interesting, for example, to see how the burgeoning population of North Liberty responds.

So – let’s set a record. Get out and vote. Remember, polling places are different for school elections. See the Johnson County Auditor’s website at http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/ for more information.

Many observers of the Iowa City Council are calling for the heads of the councilors who concentrated low-income housing in a certain area of town.

Do these same people understand inclusive zoning? This is the idea that every new subdivision be required to contain a certain percentage of affordable housing. Theoretically, if you concentrate poverty, you create problems. An inclusive zoning ordinance would spread out lower income housing and stop this concentration.

Iowa City does not have inclusive zoning. There has never been a majority of the Council willing to require it. Ironically, the two people who seem to get the most criticism in this area (Karen Kubby and Amy Correia) have always favored inclusive zoning.

Karen and Amy did not create this situation. They are among the very few (Larry Baker, Mike Wright, perhaps a couple more) ever to serve on the IC Council who had the guts to vote to address the issue. Now they are being demonized.

Who DID concentrate this housing? Every councilor who ever opposed inclusive zoning. Which is pretty much everyone BUT Amy & Karen. If you must cast blame, look there. Not that casting blame will help. I urge more positive actions on the part of the citizenry. Just cut Amy & Karen some slack.

Now that school is in session, volunteers are everywhere. You may have seen recently that Iowa City ranked second nationally in terms of volunteerism. I have little doubt that this is true of the rest of the County as well. Thanks to all of you who selflessly donate your time!

I am SO sick of people bashing government! Government is GOOD. Government allows us to live together in a functioning society.

Does government screw up sometimes? Sure. So does the private sector. My point is that government is unfairly criticized.

I am going to write about something good (if not great!) that government does every single week. I hope you will join me in standing up to the BS and voicing your support for the many good things government does.

Let’s begin week one with a timely piece of good government – free universal public education. What a truly great thing – brought to you by government!

The 8th annual Field to Family Local Foods Festival is hosting several events this month.

A Culinary Walk to benefit the Johnson County Local Food Alliance (JCLFA) will be held September 10 from 5:30-8 PM. Tickets are $25 and are available at New Pi and the IMU Box Office.

A JCLFA Harvest Dinner will be held September 26 at 5:30 PM at the University Athletic Club. Tickets are $35 and are available at the IMU Box Office.

For a full calendar and more info on all the events, please visit the JCLFA website at: jclfa.org.

The I-Renew Energy & Sustainability Expo 2009 will be held September 12 & 13 near Norway, Iowa. For more info, see: www.irenew.org/expo.

DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County has a tremendous amount of information available on the H1N1 flu virus. For more info, see: http://www.johnson-county.com/

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

9-1-09

2009-08-29T20:00:00.001-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 9/1/09

Happy Labor Day next Monday! I love Labor Day. Every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day we set aside time to recall the folks whose service has given us our freedom. I have long felt we need to treat Labor Day in a similar fashion.

Please take a moment this Labor Day to remember the people who fought (and often died) to give us child labor laws, 40 hour weeks, weekends, overtime, vacations, the minimum wage, sick leave, parental leave, OSHA, employment nondiscrimination, pensions, Social Security, health insurance, and so much more.

Unions continue to provide the best protection working people can have. I feel as though I have accomplished some good things as a member of the Board of Supervisors. One of the accomplishments of which I am most proud is starting an employee appreciation lunch every year the week of Labor Day. Johnson County employees deserve much more, but this is one extra opportunity to say thank you.

Trust me – the average person has nothing to fear from unions. We all benefit when folks have safe and healthy workplaces. We all benefit when workers get adequate rest. We all benefit when workers receive good training. We all benefit when folks earn a living wage and have health insurance. Unions help improve the quality of life for all of us.

I am proud to be a member of Local 716 of the American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the Iowa City Federation of Labor. Happy Labor Day!

The Iowa City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, will host its annual Labor Day picnic on Monday, September 7, starting at 12 Noon at Upper City Park, shelter 2. Burgers, brats, veggie options and beverages provided. Political speeches and a good time guaranteed. Free to all Friends of Labor. For more information call Patrick Hughes, President, Iowa City Federation of Labor, 319-828-4541.

On a final labor note, I want to mark the passing of Larry Omann of Iowa City. Larry was an old and dear friend of my father’s, a member of Laborer’s 43 and business agent for Teamster’s 238, and a person who dedicated his working life to fighting for the little guy. RIP, Larry.

School Board elections are Tuesday. I am supporting Sarah Swisher for election in the ICCSD, and Dick Schwab in Solon. Good luck to all the candidates – we have plenty of work ahead!

The United Way is holding its annual Campaign Kickoff this Thursday. I am a big believer in the mission of the United Way. I usually spend some time in this forum asking folks to give, then give some more.

I am not going to do that this year. The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther Ling Junior once said, “Charity is a poor substitute for justice.” I agree.

The United Way allows people to feel good about themselves. But let’s not confuse charity with justice. If you fight to lower your income tax rate, lower your tax rate on capital gains, lower the inheritance tax, hand tax dollars to private companies, decrease government regulation, stop consumer protection lawsuits, prevent people from unionizing, increase criminal penalties, segregate communities, limit voting, limit marriage rights, etc…then give $1000 to United Way?

Your $1000 in charity is no substitute for the real justice you oppose.

I am sure my friends at the United Way will be horrified that I write this. They did not authorize it, and they have every right to distance themselves from it. They try very hard to keep donors of all stripes happy. And that is fine.

This also does not mean that people who do all those things above are bad people. In fact, it is likely the opposite; I imagine most of them want to live in a better world - that is why they have tried to help the United Way.

I simply hope that some of the donors will look deep within themselves, and recognize that as Doctor King said, “charity is no substitute for justice.”

The Sutliff Bridge Authority is holding its annual street dance fundraiser Sunday, September 6th. The Sutliff Bridge Authority no longer has financial responsibility for the bridge, but they are continuing to raise money with an eye toward possible bridge restoration.

“Fryday”, September 4, will serve as every Hawkeye enthusiast’s dream. Witness the official unveiling of Hayden Fry Way, immerse yourself in a sea of black and gold at the World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow and Tailgate Party, meet Hawkeye student-athletes, coaches, gear up for the 2009 Hawkeye football season and enjoy a large-scale, outdoor concert featuring Charlie Daniels.

With numerous activities planned throughout the day, this will be a true celebration of all that is Hawkeye – something you don’t want to miss! For more info, see http://www.fryfest.com.

Go Hawks! The University of Iowa football team kicks off the 2009 season on Saturday, September 5 as they play host to UNI.

I love Hawkeye football, and I love hanging out in the areas around Kinnick with lots of old friends. I do have a couple words of advice for my fellow Hawkeye fans:

*Do unto others. Let the other person go first. Be a good sport, a good host, and a good guest.

*Remember, things are never as good as they seem when the Hawks win, and things are never as bad as they seem when the Hawks lose. It is only a game!

*I think the Hawks are going to have an excellent team, but they have a KILLER schedule. If they can go 8-4 with this schedule, they will have really accomplished something. That said, now is the time to dream! The Hawks are capable of doing even better; I hope they do!

*Beware UNI! The Hawks are playing an excellent team right off the bat. A win is not guaranteed! I hope the Panthers lose to the Hawks, then win the rest of their games, and win the elusive championship of their division. They have what it takes!

Now please remind me of what I just said in mid-October. GO HAWKS!

DID YOU KNOW? I have attended the vast majority of all Hawkeye home football games since 1973.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

8-25-09

2009-08-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 8/25/09

This may be good, it may be meaningless, or it may be a sign of the apocalypse… but I am now on Twitter! I know very little about Twitter; I have only sent two “tweets”. That said, feel free to sign up and “follow” me!

So, loyal readers… please offer some advice! Who or what should I follow? What should I tweet about? Are there “dos and don’ts” when it comes to Twitter? Please share your thoughts!

School Board elections are a mere two weeks away. Folks – you will not cast a more important ballot! You know how politicians talk about things being “for our children”? Well, this REALLY IS for our children! And even if you are childless, schools are the biggest users of your tax dollars. Everyone should pay attention, and everyone should vote!

I urge you to cast your ballot on Tuesday, September 8, or to vote early any weekday between 8 AM and 6 PM at the Auditor’s Office. (Remember – there are combined polling places in school elections. See the Auditor’s website at http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/voter/0909elec.htm for details.)

The Landlocked Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday in downtown Iowa City. This is the final leg of the Summer of the Arts, and probably the least well known. I really enjoy this festival; I believe you will, too. For more info, see: http://www.landlockedfilmfestival.org/

St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Cosgrove is holding its annual Pork Day celebration on Sunday. I have tried in vain to find more info – if this year’s celebration is like previous events, it will consist of a good meal, beer tent, polka music, and other fun stuff!

The Regina Fall Festival is coming up Labor Day Weekend. I have always enjoyed this event – I appreciate the close-knit community that is Regina.

The event opens at 5 pm Friday with carnival rides, games for kids, a garage sale, softball tournament, and 3v3 soccer tournament. These and other events continue through the weekend. Enjoy live music every evening. All meals and the Sunday brunch are hosted by one of the high school classes. Come Sunday, participants of all ages walk/run in the Fall Fun Run 5K. Fireworks at dusk put a cap on the weekend. I hope you get a chance to share in the fun!

Club Kazi (Kazi = “to work” in Swahili) presents the 2009 Save Our Children Conference September 10 & 11 in Coralville. The purpose of this conference is to gather African Americans who are concerned over the number of African American children in Foster Care in Iowa.

For more info, contact LaTasha Massey at 688-5708 or lmassey@co.johnson.ia.us .

In light of the recent tragic shooting event, friends have approached me regarding the need for some type of commission similar to the Iowa City Police Citizen Review Board.

I have always supported the Iowa City Police Citizen Review Board. I think it serves an important purpose. I know my friends in law enforcement hate the idea, but I think it provides an important check and balance. The public deserves a strong voice in the manner in which they are policed.

Thankfully, the County form of government already has a way for the public to weigh in – we elect our Sheriffs. And that matters!

Let’s say, hypothetically, that a local city has a really bad Chief of Police. The Chief makes several inexcusable mistakes. The Chief does not respond to the public. He needs to go.

In most cities, the public would need to elect 4 new council members, each of whom was willing to fire any City Manager who refused to fire the Chief. Guess hat? It ain’t happening. Ever.

I think we have a great Sheriff, who is very responsive to public concerns. That is in part because the public chose him.

DID YOU KNOW? All people who have any County subscriptions (agendas, minutes, Commission openings, etc.) will need to sign up again due to a new County website. See http://www.johnson-county.com/email_register.aspx to subscribe.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com .

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod

8-25-09

2009-08-23T17:20:00.000-05:00

Sullivan’s Salvos 8/25/09

This may be good, it may be meaningless, or it may be a sign of the apocalypse… but I am now on Twitter! I know very little about Twitter; I have only sent two “tweets”. That said, feel free to sign up and “follow” me!

So, loyal readers… please offer some advice! Who or what should I follow? What should I tweet about? Are there “dos and don’ts” when it comes to Twitter? Please share your thoughts!

School Board elections are a mere two weeks away. Folks – you will not cast a more important ballot! You know how politicians talk about things being “for our children”? Well, this REALLY IS for our children! And even if you are childless, schools are the biggest users of your tax dollars. Everyone should pay attention, and everyone should vote!

I urge you to cast your ballot on Tuesday, September 8, or to vote early any weekday between 8 AM and 6 PM at the Auditor’s Office. (Remember – there are combined polling places in school elections. See the Auditor’s website at http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/voter/0909elec.htm for details.)

The Landlocked Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday in downtown Iowa City. This is the final leg of the Summer of the Arts, and probably the least well known. I really enjoy this festival; I believe you will, too. For more info, see: http://www.landlockedfilmfestival.org/

St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Cosgrove is holding its annual Pork Day celebration on Sunday. I have tried in vain to find more info – if this year’s celebration is like previous events, it will consist of a good meal, beer tent, polka music, and other fun stuff!

The Regina Fall Festival is coming up Labor Day Weekend. I have always enjoyed this event – I appreciate the close-knit community that is Regina.

The event opens at 5 pm Friday with carnival rides, games for kids, a garage sale, softball tournament, and 3v3 soccer tournament. These and other events continue through the weekend. Enjoy live music every evening. All meals and the Sunday brunch are hosted by one of the high school classes. Come Sunday, participants of all ages walk/run in the Fall Fun Run 5K. Fireworks at dusk put a cap on the weekend. I hope you get a chance to share in the fun!

Club Kazi (Kazi = “to work” in Swahili) presents the 2009 Save Our Children Conference September 10 & 11 in Coralville. The purpose of this conference is to gather African Americans who are concerned over the number of African American children in Foster Care in Iowa.

For more info, contact LaTasha Massey at 688-5708 or lmassey@co.johnson.ia.us.

In light of the recent tragic shooting event, friends have approached me regarding the need for some type of commission similar to the Iowa City Police Citizen Review Board.

I have always supported the Iowa City Police Citizen Review Board. I think it serves an important purpose. I know my friends in law enforcement hate the idea, but I think it provides an important check and balance. The public deserves a strong voice in the manner in which they are policed.

Thankfully, the County form of government already has a way for the public to weigh in – we elect our Sheriffs. And that matters!

Let’s say, hypothetically, that a local city has a really bad Chief of Police. The Chief makes several inexcusable mistakes. The Chief does not respond to the public. He needs to go.

In most cities, the public would need to elect 4 new council members, each of whom was willing to fire any City Manager who refused to fire the Chief. Guess hat? It ain’t happening. Ever.

I think we have a great Sheriff, who is very responsive to public concerns. That is in part because the public chose him.

DID YOU KNOW? All people who have any County subscriptions (agendas, minutes, Commission openings, etc.) will need to sign up again due to a new County website. See http://www.johnson-county.com/email_register.aspx to subscribe.

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com.

"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.

These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.

If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.

As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!

---Rod