SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
March 11, 2008
Sullivan’s Salvos 3/11/08
I was very disappointed to learn of the recent decision by the Press Citizen to move their printing operations to Des Moines. (This also affects the West Side Story & Little Hawk student newspapers, as well as few additional local publications.)
Unfortunately, this decision comes at a time when the reporting has been solid and the editorial page has been outstanding. Although they refuse to invest the necessary resources toward covering local governments, things were beginning to look up at the PC. Now the boss sits in Des Moines, claiming that the paper is “local”. She must think we are all very stupid.
This move cost 11 full time and 13 part time jobs. That is a big blow to the local economy. Ironically, the PC just editorialized about “spending money locally.” The whole thing is just a damned shame. The people of Johnson County deserve better.
Congratulations to Shelter House on the recent Supreme Court decision that will allow them to build a new facility in southern Iowa City.
In addition to being very important for the growing number of homeless people in Johnson County, this decision was actually very important from a precedence standpoint.
The burden of proof in this case needs to be squarely with the plaintiffs. If you can show that something will damage your property values, more power to you. But to twist that into a scenario where the defendant has to prove its application will NOT damage property values puts all defendants in a position that is essentially unwinnable. Speculation would always win out.
That said, one of my best friends was one of plaintiffs – I know he has concerns. Shelter House has been a good neighbor to people at their current north side site; I trust they will do everything they can to earn a similar reputation in their new location.
The Caucuses are over, and political scientists are busy trying to study voting behavior. While Presidential politics are interesting, I wish someone could explain local political behavior.
It has always been interesting to me how the most conservative member of a local school board or city council will caucus for the most liberal presidential candidate. Similarly inexplicable is the way a liberal member of the Legislative delegation will openly support a very conservative member of a local school board or city council. Every variation on this theme exists, but you get the idea. Johnson County voters tolerate a great deal of cognitive dissonance when it comes to local politics.
I guess the easiest way to explain it is that we live in a small community. There are familial, work, school, church, neighborhood, and other connections that often trump political ideology when it comes time to cast a vote.
One can argue that it would be nice to see more consistency and less hypocrisy when it comes time to support candidates. On the other hand, perhaps people like the fact that things other than ideology take precedence in decision-making. That leads to an obvious question, of course – if you do not vote based on beliefs, and instead vote based upon relationships… how will you vote?
The idea that an elected official is not particularly ideological sounds good, in theory. And there are some elected officials who manage to cultivate this image. But I am always skeptical of the candidate who “has no agenda.” I am convinced that we all have our agendas – it is just a matter of whether or not we are honest and public about them.
I find this phenomenon interesting. Do any readers have thoughts? If so, please share them!
Johnson County Emergency Management will be sponsoring Weather Spotter training on Saturday, March 15 at 10 AM in Building C at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. The training is free and open to the public.
On a personal campaign note: You are all invited to a St. Patrick’s Day Party! Monday, March 17 from 5-8 PM at 2326 E. Court St. in Iowa City. (Parking is available across the street.)
This party is a fundraiser for the Sullivan for Supervisor Campaign. Donations are welcome but not required. Food will be provided; please bring your own St. Patty’s Day beverages. Please call 354-7199 for more information.
DID YOU KNOW? You can sign up to receive agendas and minutes from Johnson County meetings right at your home computer! Just sign up at http://www.johnson-county.com/esub/auth/login.cfm.
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.
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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 9:10 PM
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