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rodsullivan.org
SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
September 28, 2008
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/16/08 We have apples! Seriously, the tree in our yard (and the one in our neighbors’ that spills into our yard) are bursting at the seams. I hate to admit this, but I’m not positive exactly what variety we have here. I know it is a crossbreed. This variety does not get to be a deep red, but rather a red-pink-green mix that really makes each fruit an individual. Since we do not spray, these apples aren’t as attractive as the ones you’ll find in the store, but I have not found any bugs. Most importantly, I know that they are good to eat as is, excellent as applesauce, and PERFECT for pies! I simply hate to see all this good food go to waste, but there is no way our family has the time to harvest everything we have. So please – if you want apples – come get some. Just reply to this E-mail or give me a call at 354-7199 and we will arrange a time when you can pick a few. You are free to use my picker and my ladder, but bring your own buckets or bags. I ride my bike to work when my schedule permits. The route I take cuts through part of the Hoover Elementary attendance area, and runs the length of the Longfellow Elementary attendance area. Some of the really pleasant things I see as I ride are the large numbers of Hoover and Longfellow kids walking to school. If you look at Census Bureau statistics on commutes, you’ll see that far fewer children walk and/or bike to school these days. Some of this is poor urban planning. Some is a lack of affordable housing near schools in some places. Some is poor school planning. Some is overprotective and/or overindulgent parents. Whatever the causes, I worry about this trend. The walk to school is good exercise. It connects a child to her community. It facilitates interaction with other children. Children build confidence and real world skills. It is a small but important ritual. I realize it cannot work for everyone, but I applaud those families whose children walk to school. Johnson County recently received a Jail/Courthouse Site Suitability Study from Durrant Incorporated. This document looks at 4 potential jail sites, and weighs the pros and cons of each. In addition, we recently discussed the option of sharing a jail with Linn County. (To some degree, that is what we have been doing for 8 or 9 years.) It appears that such an arrangement might be more costly than separate facilities. Interested parties will continue to research the feasibility of this type of agreement, but it does not look promising. Ironically, if we had the mass transit between the two counties that we ought to have, sharing agreements such as this would be more workable. As I have said all along, costs really matter here. Costs always matter, of course. But costs matter particularly in this case. Not only because the projected costs ($60-80 million) would make such a project the most expensive in the history of Johnson County government, but because to most folks, the jail and the courthouse are simply expenses. Most Johnson County residents use neither building. Say all you want about the efficacy of maintaining the institutions of a civil society, but it is difficult to get people to pay for something they do not use. It is even harder to ask them to spend money on people for whom they probably do not have much sympathy. The Board is now reaching the point where we need to gather a great deal of input from the public. In order to help facilitate this, Durrant will be holding public meetings throughout Johnson County. The first public meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17 from 10-12 at the Coralville Public Library. The second will be held on Tuesday, September 23 from 5:30-7:00 at the North Liberty Recreation Center. The third public meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 8 from 5:30-7:00 at the Iowa City Public Library. In addition, you can review the study online at the Johnson County website (www.johnson-county.com), and offer your comments there. And, as always, feel free to contact me to share your thoughts. I want to thank one of my colleagues for taking what I see as a very positive initiative. Supervisor Terrence Neuzil approached me the other day, suggesting that the three Democratic nominees for Johnson County Supervisor (Pat Harney, Terrence, and myself) do no campaigning between now and Election Day. Terrence’s reasoning is as follows: the three Democratic nominees are unopposed. So raising money, putting up yard signs, etc. just wastes time and energy that could be otherwise directed toward electing Barack Obama and reelecting Tom Harkin and Dave Loebsack. I could not agree more. Frankly, I have been so busy just doing the job that I haven’t given a lot of thought to campaigning. Other than marching in parades, I haven’t done much. So Terrence and I will not be bothering you this fall! (I have not spoken to Pat, but my guess is he will be on board as well.) Rest assured, however – I’ll be working hard on other campaigns! I urge you to do the same! DID YOU KNOW? 7.24 million acres are burnt by wildfires every year in the US, double the average of the 1990s. Most scientists blame global climate change for much of the increase. (Source: Governing.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
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/23/08
We still have too many apples! Come get all you want!
Homecoming is this weekend in Iowa City. I love Homecoming! I love the game, or course, and I love the parade. But I also love the pomp and circumstance, the traditions, and the many excuses to have a good time!
Traditionally, when I think of Homecoming, I think of Homecoming at the UI. Homecoming takes on a whole new meaning for me this year; my daughters (a freshman and a junior at City High) plan on attending the City High Homecoming game on Friday, and the dance on Saturday. I wish the UI and City High had their Homecomings on different weeks!
In addition, it is Homecoming at my K-12 alma mater (Lisbon Community Schools), and I have twin nieces there who are seniors and in the running for Homecoming Queen!
So, Melissa and I have many competing priorities this weekend. Never before have dresses, shoes and hair been so important! Wish us luck! Meanwhile, GO HAWKS!
I am troubled by the proposition of the new owners of the Sheraton getting any tax incentives from Iowa City. I am doubly troubled by the proposal to reduce the public access between College and Burlington Streets.
Some of this is my usual song and dance. You have heard me say it before. I believe government exists to provide for the public good, not to transfer public dollars to private entities. I keep talking, but nobody seems to care.
The debate has basically boiled down to this: advocate for tax giveaways, and you are pro-business. Oppose tax giveaways, and you are anti-business. I find it ironic, because businesses pay property taxes. So local businesses foot some of the costs of transferring public dollars to private entities. Tax dollars local businesses pay are being given away to out of state corporations. I see my stance as completely pro-local business, though I doubt I could get even one local business leader to publically agree with me.
Here are a few additional reasons I dislike this plan:
1. I remember when Dubuque Street was a through street. The city closed a busy street at a busy intersection so the hotel could be built. Iowa City gave up a tremendous amount to allow that hotel to be in that location. Now, 30 years later, all parties seem to have forgotten what Iowa City gave up. Why is the city so willing to give the hotel control of what is technically a public street? How is reducing public access serving the public good?
2. Iowa City wants to extend the downtown business district south of Burlington Street. How does closing off the key gateway between north and south facilitate this plan?
3. Hotel owners complain about the drunken antics of the late night passersby. It is hard for me to have much sympathy for the hotel owners when they run a bar that targets the college crowd.
4. The idea that somehow giving the new owners what they want will bring more revenue to Iowa City is totally unsubstantiated by any type of research. Show me the money!
5. When the new owners bought this property, they knew what they were buying. Why is it the city’s obligation to step in? I know a woman who just bought a trailer in the Thatcher Mobile Home Court. She thinks she got a bad deal. Should the city step in? Of course not. But when wealthy out of town hoteliers do the same thing, the city feels the need to act. These are public tax dollars, and I do not wish to see my tax dollars handed to out of town hotel owners.
6. Where is the public benefit? How does changing anything at the hotel benefit the residents of Iowa City? Should Council actions benefit a small group of out of town owners, or the taxpayers of Iowa City?
7. Some argue that the hotel is somehow too important to the city to allow these owners to screw it up. I disagree. No one can prove that to me. But let’s assume it is true – the success of this hotel is integral to the well being of Iowa City. Then I would argue that Iowa City should buy the hotel, and manage it with the best interests of the public in mind.
We will see where this goes. Meanwhile, what are your thoughts?
Early voting for the General Election begins Thursday, September 25. I know that several of you enjoy the ritual of going to the polling place on Election Day, but I urge everyone out there to vote early.
Voting early helps the campaigns, and gets you off their lists. It helps the Auditor’s Office by reducing the work necessary on Election Day. It helps everyone. Please vote early!
Rally for Our Land, Water, and Future - Tuesday, September 23, 7:00 PM at Iowa City Public Library.
This rally is sponsored by the Iowa City Area Group of the Sierra Club. Come to this rally, and help pass the Johnson County conservation bond initiative on Election Day. If approved by a 60 percent super-majority of voters, Johnson County would sell $20 million in bonds, and would establish a dedicated fund to purchase natural areas, wetlands, open space, and wildlife habitat.
Speakers include: Mark Ackelson, President of the Iowa Natural heritage Foundation, and Janelle Rettig, Co-Chair of Citizens for Our Land, Water, and Future, which is leading the effort to pass the initiative.
Open to the public - please bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Free of charge, but please consider making a contribution to this worthy cause at the rally. For more information, please contact: Mike Carberry at 338-8820
or 319-594-6453.
Best wishes to the Reverend Mark W. Martin and his wife Carol on their upcoming retirements. The Martins have served Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church in University Heights for over 22 years, and given the gifts of faith, hope and charity to thousands of Johnson County residents over that time.
Not only have the Martins served the members of Saint Andrew, but also countless local organizations like the Iowa City Public Library, Elder Services, the United Way, and many more.
We have attended Saint Andrew for approximately 9 years. Pastor Martin baptized our children. Every time I take on an issue - poverty, homelessness, health care, hunger, tax fairness, volunteerism – just about anything – I do so inspired by the sermons of Pastor Martin.
In addition, the sermons are almost always funny. Today offered a great example:
A Sunday School teacher asked her class to draw something from the Bible. She noticed one little girl drawing furiously, and they had the following exchange:
“What are you drawing?”
“God.”
“God? But no one knows what God looks like!”
“Well, they will in a minute!”
Mark preaches his final sermon on Sunday, and I doubt there will be a dry eye in the house. Mark and Carol – we love you and we’ll miss you. My prayers for a fulfilling and relaxing retirement.
DID YOU KNOW? Of 64 local companies reporting data to the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD), 86% reported an increase in sales in FY07. 88% reported an increase in sales in FY08.
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
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/30/08
The flood response work of Johnson County and UI employees has been honored as a success story on the FEMA website. Follow this link for more:
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_hugsuccess.shtm
Johnson County recently submitted a Notice of Intent to acquire flooded properties through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. In layman’s terms, we are interested in buyouts.
Johnson County’s application only reflects rural residences; Iowa City and Coralville have already submitted NOIs for properties in those cities.
First, a bit of flood terminology. (No doubt many of you are unfortunately already experts in this lingo!) The floodway is the area where water goes during floods of any size. There is actual current in the floodway. The 100-year floodplain is the next-most likely area to be flooded, followed by the 500-year floodplain. Obviously, as we have seen, the flood maps are not always exactly correct, but this is the way it is supposed to work, and it generally does.
Johnson County’s application focuses on the floodway, which is the top priority of the State of Iowa. 57 of the 58 properties included in our application are located within the floodway. These properties are located in 2 general areas – homes in a neighborhood north of Iowa City know as Riverfront Estates, where Stewart Road runs into the Iowa River, and homes in two neighborhoods known broadly as the Izaak Walton League area. There is also a single house at Sutliff in the 100-year flood plain.
While 58 properties are included in the application, only 25 property owners have actually requested buyouts. Buyouts are optional on the part of both the buyer and the seller; either party can opt out (or in) up until the last minute. That is why we decided to include properties whose owners claim they are not interested; these folks may change their minds.
In a perfect world, the County would be able to buy out a whole neighborhood. That way, we could close the road, shut off utilities, and have minimal expenses for fire and police. The whole area would sit in a natural state. Even if that does not happen, it is good to get as many properties as possible out of the floodway.
The 25 properties that requested buyouts are valued at $1.58 million. The County share would be 15%, or $237,000. The total assessed value of all 58 properties is $6.65 million, making the County share $997,000.
Needless to say, Johnson County does not have a lot of extra money lying around. But buyouts can utilize many different sources of money for match. So the possibilities for funding a buyout are many.
The annual Run for the Schools is the morning of Sunday, October 5 in downtown Iowa City. This event is a great fundraiser, and lots of fun. For more info, see: http://www.runfortheschools.com/.
The Johnson County Democratic Party recently changed the date of its annual Fall BBQ from Saturday, October 4 to Saturday, October 18. The BBQ will be at the North Liberty Recreation Center from 4 to 8pm. US Senator Tom Harkin & US Congressman Dave Loebsack will be the special guests.
The date of the BBQ was changed because the Iowa Democratic Party decided to schedule its annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner on that same date. The event will be a great time; tickets are just $20 per person or $40 per family. Send me an E-mail if you’d like a ticket.
Speaking of party politics: I am very disappointed in the commercials John McCain has run on taxes. There is only one way to say it - these ads are lies!
The McCain ads claim Obama will raise taxes. In actuality, 80% of all Americans will get a tax CUT under the Obama plan. 10% will see no difference. Only the richest 10% of Americans will see an increase in taxes.
Who is affected? The lowest annual income affected would be $227,000. And folks earning exactly $227,000 would only pay an additional $12 in taxes annually. Obama’s plan rightly asks the very wealthiest people in America to give a bit more. It only makes sense.
So, given that over 90% of the people watching one of those commercials at any given time would receive a tax CUT from Obama – by my way of thinking, the McCain campaign is deliberately misleading the American people.
Plus, McCain wants to tax health benefits! THAT will raise taxes on a lot of Americans!
I used to respect Senator McCain. I lost that respect during this campaign. Senator McCain has sold his soul. As one reporter put it, “John McCain in 1999 would not vote for John McCain in 2008.
OK, I know this is petty, but it drives me CRAZY! From the official stances of AP, UPI, the New Work Times, and Garner’s:
You should use “an” before a word beginning with an “H” only if the “H” is not pronounced: “an honest effort”; it’s properly “a historic event” though many sophisticated speakers somehow prefer the sound of “an historic,” so that version is not likely to get you into any real trouble.
That has always driven me nuts!
DID YOU KNOW? In the US in 1970, there were 701,000 housing units subject to governance by homeowners associations. In 2008, the number is 24,100,000. (Source: Governing magazine.)
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
September 7, 2008
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/9/08
Today is Election Day for local School Boards of Directors. I have said it before, but it bears repeating: you will never cast a more important vote!
We all care about our kids. I have children in 11th, 9th, and 6th grades – I care deeply what happens in the ICCSD! Even if I did not have children in the district, schools take in just under 50% of all local property tax dollars. So we all have a vested interest in how things turn out. The ICCSD budget is roughly $150 million dollars, and the district serves 11,000 students. This is serious stuff!
In the ICCSD, there are 4 individuals running for 3 spots. I want to strongly encourage you to vote for two incumbents, Patti Fields and Toni Cilek, and first time candidate Michael Shaw.
Fields and Cilek have already distinguished themselves with their work on the Board. So let's focus on the newcomer.
Michael Shaw has served the community through his work in a variety of social services positions, including work with the ICCSD Family Resource Centers. Currently a Program Manager at Waypoint domestic violence shelter in Cedar Rapids, Michael brings a strong social services background to a District that is struggling with issues of race and class. I have known Michael for several years, and I have found him to be intelligent, caring, compassionate, and thoughtful. Most importantly, he is a great father.
If you live in the ICCSD, please join me in voting for Fields, Cilek, and Shaw! And if you live in other Johnson County School Districts, do your homework (pun intended), and get out and vote!
In some cases I am able to exercise great patience. In other situations, I have almost no patience at all. One area where I lack patience is with those folks who sit back and criticize without trying to improve a situation.
My patience has really been tried during the recent floods. There are all sorts of people out there who criticize FEMA, criticize the City Councils, criticize people who live in flood plains, criticize people without flood insurance, criticize the Corps, criticize recovery plans, criticize the handling of flood relief dollars, criticize, well, EVERYTHING.
Criticism is OK. Criticism, if done constructively, can save lives and money in the future. Criticism in and of itself is an important component of a successful society.
Where I get impatient is with people who criticize without helping. People who sit at a computer being critical as others clean up debris. People who write anonymous posts and make anonymous calls while others stand up and take the heat. People who criticize the ideas of others, while offering no ideas of their own. People who seem to take pleasure in the pain of others.
I know I need to work on being patient with these people. I just wish they would lend a hand to go with their opinions.
Shelter House is holding an ice cream social from 2-4 PM on Sunday, September 14th at the planned site of their new facility on Southgate Avenue.
The first Police Citizens Review Board (PCRB) public forum to hear citizens' view on policing in Iowa City will be held on Sept. 16 in the Council chambers at the Civic Center (410 E. Washington).
Voters approved the measure on the Fall 2007 City ballot to strengthen the PCRB, and part of that provides for a forum at least once yearly to hear citizens' suggestions and desires regarding police practices and policies.
As a friend of mine writes: “communication is the key to better relationships. The police need to know what type of policing the community wants. It isn't fair to criticize police about not being in touch with community desires if they get no feedback from the citizenry themselves.”
The Amish Harvest Tour Ride to Cure Cancer is Saturday, September 20th in Hills. The Bicyclists of Iowa City is joining forces with the Seth A. Bailey family to raise money for cancer research in the Holden Cancer Center at the University of Iowa. There are many more details than I can share in this space; please check out the info by following this link: http://www.courageride.org/
The Johnson County Heritage Trust (JCHT) is holding its annual fundraising event, “Under a Cider Moon” Saturday, September 20 at the Schwab Party Barn in rural Solon. The event kicks off at 6 PM with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. That is followed by silent and live auctions, and music by the Beggarman.
I am a proud member of the JCHT, which is a nonprofit conservation land trust dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of natural areas in Johnson County. To learn more about the JCHT or this event, see the website at www.JCHT.org .
DID YOU KNOW? As of July 31, 2008, there were 482 children in foster care in the Iowa Department of Human Services Cedar Rapids Service Area (a 14-county area). 64 of those children were from Johnson County, 263 from Linn.
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
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