SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
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.
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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 @ 6:58 PM
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