Rod Sullivan, Supervisor, Johnson County, Iowa

SULLIVAN'S SALVOS

April 27, 2010

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April 25, 2010

Sullivan’s Salvos 4/27/10

In this edition:

*May Day
*Cinco de Mayo
*Garlic mustard and morels
*Take Back the Night
*ACLU Dinner
*NAMI Walk
*Crisis Center Pancake Breakfast
*Did You Know?

*May Day
In much of the world, May Day is a worker’s holiday. It used to be a holiday here, too, until an unreasonable fear of communism clouded our collective national judgment.

May Day used to commemorate the Haymarket Incident. For those of you unfamiliar, the following is lifted largely from Wikipedia:

The Haymarket affair occurred during the course of a three-day strike that involved common laborers, artisans, merchants, and immigrants. Following an incident in which police opened fire and killed four strikers at the McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. plant, a rally was called for the following day at Haymarket Square. The event remained peaceful, yet towards the end of the rally, as police moved in to disperse the event, an unknown assailant threw a bomb into the crowd of police. The bomb and resulting police riot left at least a dozen people dead, including seven policemen.

A sensational show trial ensued in which eight defendants were openly tried for their political beliefs, and not necessarily for any involvement in the bombing. The trial led to the eventual public hanging of four anarchists. In the following years, memory of the "Haymarket martyrs" was remembered with various May Day job actions and demonstrations.

So, on this May Day, I plan on tipping back a cold beverage in honor of the people who gave us the weekend!

*Cinco de Mayo
Another day worth celebrating arrives on May 5. Johnson County has seen an increase in new residents from Mexico, and along with them, a wonderful dose of Mexican culture.

I urge everyone to observe Cinco de Mayo. Have fun, but also think about the way we treat others, both individually and collectively. Are we living up to the Golden Rule?

*Garlic Mustard and Morels
I had my worst trip to the woods EVER recently! As I have written previously, I love to hunt morel mushrooms. I rarely have as much free time as I’d like to dedicate to such pursuits, but I did get out this past week. I was crushed by what I found.

The whole forest floor was choked by garlic mustard. The garlic mustard had been creeping into these spots over the past couple of years, so it did not surprise me to see it. I was surprised, however, by the ubiquity. I could hardly see the forest floor!

The environmental damage we are suffering and about to suffer at the hands of garlic mustard and other invasive species is unimaginable. It is bad, and getting exponentially worse.

There are steps we can take, but they will not be popular. First, pull it on your own property. (Cutting and mowing do not work, and may even serve to spread it further.) Secondly, volunteer with one of the many organized local “pulls”. Thirdly, we need more funding for conservation/park & rec departments targeted toward this problem. Finally, we need to fund science at the federal level so that experts can help us to avoid these types of problems in the future.

I suppose I can blame the garlic mustard for my lack of success at morel hunting, but I have fared poorly before. This is a brand new ballgame.

*Take Back the Night!
The annual Take Back the Night rally will be held Thursday, April 29th, at 7:00pm in Downtown Iowa City. Sponsored by the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP), Take Back the Night offers residents of Johnson County an opportunity to stand up against rape, and to say “not on my watch”. It is a powerful event, and I hope you can attend.

*ACLU Dinner
The ACLU of Iowa is holding its annual dinner Saturday, May 1 at the UI Athletic Club. This is the organization’s 75th anniversary, and the featured speaker is National ACLU President Anthony Romero. Tickets are still available, but you must RSVP right away! Check out the website at aclu-iowa.org for more information.

*NAMI Walk
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Johnson County is holding its annual Walk for the Mind of America Saturday, May 8 at Lower City Park in Iowa City.

As a County Supervisor, I know how much money goes into mental health services. But money is not the key here. Money does not tell the stories. We all need to do more (yes, including paying higher taxes!) to support the families who are dealing with these issues.

I would encourage each person who reads this to speak with my friend June Judge. You will never think of mental health in the same way. Some day, I would like to help make June’s vision of a better and more caring mental health system a reality.

I have participated in every NAMI Walk so far, and I am looking for sponsors! Please let me know if you would be willing to sponsor me for this great cause!

*Crisis Center Pancake Breakfast
This annual must-do event is Saturday, May 1st from 8 AM-1 PM at Parkview Church. As usual, all funds go toward supporting the important work of the Crisis Center in Johnson County.

*DID YOU KNOW? There were 1801 sales of residential property in 2009; 838 in Iowa City and 963 in the rest of the county. (Source: Johnson County Assessor.)

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

April 18, 2010

Sullivan’s Salvos 4/20/10

In this edition:

*Thoughts on Justice Stevens
*Local Heroes Retiring
*Buy Here Business Fair
*Crime Victim Week
*Dealing With Sexting and Other Technology Issues
*Day of the Book
*Did You Know?

*Thoughts on Justice Stevens
I have always had tremendous respect for retiring US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. As the longest-serving Justice, we can track the political “mood” in the US throughout his term.

In his first decade, he was seen as a center-right justice, but as the composition of the court grew more and more conservative, he found himself referred to as the court's most liberal member, a moniker he never liked.

Stevens claims he never changed; the politics changed around him. I think there is some truth to this. I once saw the stances of US Presidents on twelve key issues placed side by side. Eisenhower and Nixon were to the left of Bill Clinton on nine and seven issues, respectively.

Meanwhile, all the best to Justice Stevens on his retirement, and thanks for 35 years of stellar service!

*Local Heroes Retiring
Speaking of retirements, two of my heroes are retiring later this month.

Peter Fisher and Jim Throgmorton are both retiring from the UI Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

I know, I know… the word “hero” can be thrown around far too easily. I thought about that as I wrote this, and it fits. I seriously cannot imagine how different my six+ years as a Supervisor would be if not for these two men. I have relied heavily on both for information and ideas.

Even more importantly, Jim & Peter have dedicated their careers to making public policy work for everyone, not just the wealthy and well connected. We are all better off because of their work.

Congratulations, Jim & Peter!

*Buy Here Business Fair
Join the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce at the annual Buy Here Business Fair from 4-7 PM on Thursday, April 22 at the Coralville Holiday Inn.

Buying locally makes all the difference! I am very proud to be a part of a Chamber that “gets it”.

*Johnson County observes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
We are not far removed from the tragic events of March 23, 2008, when Sheryl Sueppel and her children Ethan, Seth, Mira, and Eleanor were tragically killed.

On Monday, April 19, Sheryl’s brother, David Kesterson will be the keynote speaker for the opening ceremony for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, sponsored by the Johnson County Crime Victims’ Advocacy Board.

The discussion will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Iowa City Council Chambers. The public is encouraged to attend the event, which will address the issues of faith, hope, and redemption. It will also discuss the impact of violent crimes on the family and friends of people directly affected by them.

According to the FBI, more than 15,000 Americans are murdered each year. In up to a quarter of these cases, the crime was committed by a spouse or intimate partner. In the state of Iowa alone, over 450 murders have been committed since 2000.

*Dealing With Sexting and Other Technology Issues
Sexting, Technology, OH MY Talking With Teens in Tough Times. Monday, April 26 @ 7pm @ United Action for Youth, Youth Center.

United Action for Youth health educators present to parents on the resources for parent/child communication, also touching on the issues related to technology and how a parent can be an advocate for their child's safety... and Peer Educators from UAY do role plays!

Great free resources available for families, and come enjoy the teen perspective on using technology safely! Call/Email : Kim Lamon-Loperfido 338-7518 for more info. This event is FREE and open to the public!

*Day of the Book
St George's Day is celebrated April 23 in England and other regions. It is traditional to give a rose and a book to a loved one on this day. This tradition inspired UNESCO to declare this the International Day of the Book, since April 23, 1616 was also the date of death of English playwright William Shakespeare.

As you know, Iowa City is one of three UNESCO Cities of Literature. So celebrate St. George’s Day this year by buying a book for your loved one! You will find sales throughout Johnson County!

DID YOU KNOW? In 2008, 70% of US businesses saw an increase in sales. The number was 88% in Johnson County. In 2009, the numbers were 42% nationally and 58% in Johnson County. (Source: Iowa City Area Development Group.)

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

April 10, 2010

Sullivan’s Salvos 4/13/10

In this edition:

*Opening Day
*Taxes Are Not Bad!
*County Health Rankings
*The Future of Farming
*Hospice Walk
*Did You Know?

*Opening Day
Opening Day has arrived! I love baseball, and I am not above having the stereotypically silly conversations about it. So I will not subject Salvos readers to much baseball writing. But if you ever want to discuss the topic, give me a shout!

*Taxes Are Not Bad!
April 15 is Tax Day, and there will undoubtedly be a couple protests by people who feel government and taxes are bad.

I do not agree. I believe that government and taxes are GOOD! Here is a quick list of just a few of the many things you get in exchange for your tax dollars:

Police; fire; ambulance; clean air; clean water; sewage disposal and treatment; safe food; safe drugs; safe consumer products; Centers for Disease Control; food labeling; safe buildings, roads and bridges; air traffic control; national defense; services for veterans; college loans; parks; Meals on Wheels; Head Start; Social Security; unemployment insurance; Medicare; Medicaid; public education; school lunches; FDIC; FEMA; OSHA; overtime; access to courts… I could go on for hours.

Needless to say, governments are not always efficient and effective. The same can be said of private enterprises. I remain convinced that we get a bargain when we pay our taxes.

*County Health Rankings
Johnson County is the 7th healthiest county in Iowa according to a study conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin.

Every county in the US was ranked on several health-related aspects: Health Behaviors; Clinical Care; Social and Economic Factors; and Physical Environment.

The results for Johnson County were very interesting. We ranked #1 in several areas: Mortality; Health Behaviors; and Clinical Care. We ranked #2 (behind Story County) in Social and Economic Factors. Obviously, these results are outstanding!

There was one area that kept us from the top spot: Physical Environment. We ranked #82 in this category! We ranked OK in terms of recreational opportunities, but we got very poor marks in two specific areas: access to alcohol and air quality.

Obviously, all these different rankings select different criteria, and weight them all differently. But we should not ignore this study. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation does top-notch work in this area. What’s more, binge drinking and air quality are two items that the Johnson County Board of Health has chosen as areas of focus. So experts seem to agree.

We know we have some work to do in a couple of areas. I am confident that the Johnson County Department of Public Health will make strides in these areas. I urge you to find out how you can help them! Meanwhile, check out the results for yourself at countyhealthrankings.org

*The Future of Farming
I had the opportunity to attend the Chamber of Commerce Ag Breakfast series a couple of weeks ago, and it was a thought-provoking session!

Three local folks involved in ag-related industries predicted the future of agriculture in Johnson County and elsewhere. The panelists were Jeff Quint with Cedar Ridge Winery near Swisher; Mark Stutsman with Stutsman, Inc. in Hills; and Mike Klauke with Syngenta near Lone Tree.

All of the men expected farming to move two directions simultaneously: an expansion of very small farmers (5-10 acres) producing local food, and a consolidation of farms into huge 20,000-30,000 acre operations. In both scenarios, the “average” Iowa farmer, who owns about 350 acres, will be a thing of the past.

As the scale of production increases, more work will become mechanized. The experts expect “drones” to be programmed to plant and harvest fields, eliminating the need for tractors and combines to have drivers. Stutsman said the day is coming when Iowa may only have 4-5 implement dealers in the whole state; when I was a kid, every other small town had an implement dealer!

Similarly, they expect an increase in contracts for crops. Now farmers grow a crop such as corn, then decide when and where to sell it. The experts predict that in 25-30 years, farmers will be planting and raising a specific end product, such as “starch” or “protein”. The farmers will not own the land, nor the seed, nor the crop. They will just be employees of large corporations, who own the product at each level of production. This type of “verticality” has already infiltrated the swine industry, with some devastating results.

Panelists noted that there are trade offs; Iowa’s farms will need to become more productive to feed a growing world population. Unfortunately, the impending loss of on-farm jobs may devastate rural America.

While the predictions may seem very grim, all the panelists expressed faith in the ability of the people of Johnson County to protect our land, our small towns, and our people.

*RVAP Events
Each April, the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month with a host of activities. Below is a link to the calendar of events. Additional information can be found at http://www.rvap.org/pages/sexual_assault_awareness_month/#saam_2010.

*Hospice Walk
You are invited to the 11th Annual Iowa City Hospice Walk for Dignity Sunday, April 18 at 1 PM at Willow Creek Park in Iowa City.

Join the McDonald’s, this year’s Honorary Family, to celebrate the lives and honor the memories of loved ones, and to show support for Iowa City Hospice.

Visit http://www.iowacityhospice.org/calendar/walk.html or contact Margaret Reese at 688-4219 for more information.

DID YOU KNOW? Iowa's ag income in 2008 was over $20 billion. (Source: Iowa Secretary of Ag Bill Northey.)

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

April 2, 2010

Sullivan’s Salvos 4/6/10

In this edition:

*A different look
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
*Pancake Day
*Sutliff Bridge
*Did You Know?

*A Different Look
You will notice a new look to Salvos beginning this week. A friend who is well versed in this type of communication suggested that I needed a table of contents and headings for new topics.

So, I am trying it out. I have some concerns about Mediacom’s ability to support what I am trying to do, but we’ll see. Please let me know what you think!

*Happy Birthday Jordan!
Happy Birthday to my daughter Jordan, who turns Sweet Sixteen on April 8! Jordan is a strong, smart, beautiful young lady who knows right from wrong. I am awfully proud of the young woman she has become. I love you honey!

*Pancake Day
The ICCSD is holding its annual Pancake Day fundraiser April 10 from 6AM-6PM at West High. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.

This is the biggest annual fundraiser for City and West High athletics; please support their efforts!

*Sutliff Bridge
The debate over whether or not to rebuild the Sutliff Bridge raises several deep questions for both society and government. Let’s explore some of them.

As most of you probably know, I have biases here. I grew up at Sutliff. My younger sister lives within 200 yards of the bridge. My family has lived in the area since before Iowa was a state. My friends and family fought to keep the bridge in the early 80s. My senior class picture was taken on the bridge. The bridge is tied up in family, friends, childhood memories, current relationships, and more. I want to state that in the interest of full disclosure.

The Sutliff Bridge was built a couple decades prior to the advent of motorized vehicles. It is the longest Parker Truss Bridge in the US. It is listed on the National Historic Registry. To people in the area, it defines the place they call home.

As for those deep questions - What is history worth? What is ANYTHING worth? If we get rid of an old bridge because it does not function the way it used to, should we apply that logic across the board? Should we quit spending tax dollars on senior citizens, many of whom no longer function the way they used to? Should we have torn down the Old Capital Dome after it burnt, and instead built a new office building? Should we preserve the ruins in Athens and Rome? Do Iowa’s Century and Heritage Farm programs make any sense? Why do we mark graves? Should history be taught in our schools? What is history worth?

Frankly, it is impossible to place a value on history. I have been in the Old Capital probably ten times in the past year – almost certainly five times more often than most Johnson County residents. Do more people visit the Old Capital, or do more folks visit Sutliff? (My guess is Sutliff by a 20:1 margin.) Should attendance matter? Must history focus only on government, or is there value in preserving the people’s history? What makes one thing historic and worth saving, and another less so?

The Sutliff Bridge is a destination for cyclists, motorcyclists, snowmobilers, farmers, anglers, hunters, boaters, birdwatchers, people exploring their Czech backgrounds, history buffs, and more. What is that worth? Can we accurately measure the economic impact of such a place? Is it worth more than a 2 mile road resurfacing? Is it worth more than a new Secondary Roads shed?

As of this writing, it appears there will be ZERO local match required to restore the bridge. So no County dollars will go toward the project. The cost of future maintenance would be a County expense, but given the fact that FEMA would be bringing it up to code, there should be very little in the way of maintenance expenses for 10-20 years.

Even the future maintenance looks good from a taxpayer’s perspective. The Sutliff Bridge Authority (SBA) has raised tens of thousands of dollars over 25+ years to maintain and insure this bridge. They are willing to put roughly $10,000 toward the future maintenance right now, with more to come very shortly. $10,000 should cover the maintenance costs for a long, long time. Plus, they have pledged to continue to raise funds into the future. I trust them and believe in them. History is on their side.

So the people of Johnson County are getting this replaced courtesy of the federal government. I can already hear the familiar refrain – “they are still our tax dollars!” Of course. No one wants to see the federal government waste money.

But this is an issue with any and every tax expenditure. If it benefits me, you think it is wasteful. If it benefits you, I think it is wasteful. People complain about waste in federal health programs, but ignore billions of waste in defense. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. There is little agreement as to how federal tax dollars are spent. That will not change any time soon.

Interestingly, the State of Iowa, Polk County, Des Moines, and Principal have combined forces to build a $12 million pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Des Moines River. Local tourism and economic development folks are calling this a huge draw. The DM project is 1/3 the length of the Sutliff Bridge, and spans a much smaller river. Why don’t we market our own treasure?

Johnson County has 59 structures on National Historic Registry, 41 of which are in Iowa City. These recognized structures include the Old Capitol, Plum Grove, Old Brick, the old Coralville Schoolhouse, the Johnson County Courthouse, the Englert Theater, Bethel AME Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, and yes, the Sutliff Bridge. Federal, State, and local experts determined years ago that the bridge was one of 59 historic things in Johnson County worthy of saving. Can you imagine tearing any of these other structures down over a fear of future maintenance expenses?

My general inclination is to lean toward preserving things. I think we benefit from having a connection to and understanding of history. Too much of our past is gone, never to return. Do I think everything is worth saving? No. But I happen to believe that the investment in the Sutliff Bridge is worth it.

DID YOU KNOW? 31 million of Iowa's 36 million acres are dedicated to agriculture. (Source: Iowa Secretary of Ag Bill Northey.)

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