SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 16, 2010
Sullivan’s Salvos 6/1/10
In this edition:
*Goodbye to Great Teachers!
*Sutliff Bridge, Act 2
*Fishing at Kent Park
*ICARE Pancake Breakfast
*UAY Festival of Flowers
*Did You Know?
*Goodbye to Great Teachers!
I have long felt teaching is the most important and most undervalued of all occupations. The ICCSD is losing some outstanding veteran teachers to retirement this year. While I will clearly be leaving some wonderful educators out, a special thanks to a few special folks:
Hani Elkadi has served the at-risk students in the ICCSD for many years. In addition to being a great teacher, Hani has served the kids as an advocate, mentor, and friend.
Dr. Perry Ross is a first rate gentleman who has served the ICCSD in several capacities. His leadership will be missed!
Pamela Fitzgerald is one of the most kind and tenderhearted people I have ever met, and having her at Hoover helped my children through some challenging transitions. I will never forget her!
Ann Allaire is retiring from Hoover Elementary, where she had my kids in 1st and 2nd grades. My kids got off to a good start because of her gentle hand. Thank you, Ann! You were wonderful!
Nancy Porter is retiring from Hills Elementary. Nancy tutored my son, which has paid dividends to this day. There is no finer person out there, teacher or otherwise, than Nancy Porter!
Sue Dvorsky is retiring from Southeast Junior High. Until you have spent a day in a special education classroom, you can never fully appreciate the amazing work Sue has done. It is very hard work, done on behalf of our neediest citizens. I am awed just thinking about it. Sue – I salute you!
New teachers – you have some BIG shoes to fill! Meanwhile, congratulations to these fantastic folks!
*Sutliff Bridge, Act 2
The issue of the Sutliff Bridge has come up once again, and I feel the need to set the record straight.
The federal government decided the Sutliff Bridge was a historic site, not Johnson County. The federal government decided to fund its rebuilding, not Johnson County. There will be ZERO county tax dollars going into the restoration.
So, when folks say, “we should use the money on gravel”… Why? It is not our money to spend! It was designated for the bridge. If it is not going to be used on bridge restoration, it should be returned to DC! Using the money for something else is unethical.
Lots of companies (for profit and not for profit) do business with Johnson County. We expect them to use our funding the way it was intended. If they took County money, then did something else, we would be irate. Why should Johnson County get to behave differently?
I hear from people calling themselves “fiscal conservatives” who think the bridge money should be spent elsewhere. A real fiscal conservative would demand that the money not be spent at all! This reminds me of all the people who decry “pork” in Congress. When it gets spent in our hometown: it is about time we got something from the feds! When it is spent in your hometown: it is pork!
I think the fact that the bridge is being repaired is great. I think it is good for the historic and cultural well being of Johnson County. It is good for local tourism and good for the local economy. I have already made those arguments. Folks can argue that that I am wrong.
But the “Johnson County is wasting money” argument is a bunch of bull. There are only two legitimate choices – fix the bridge, or do not fix the bridge. Other projects are just red herrings.
*Fishing at Kent Park
Across the State of Iowa June 4-6, anglers will be taking part in Iowa’s annual Free Fishing Weekend. During Free Fishing Weekend, residents across the state are not required to have a fishing license, although all other laws and regulations are still in effect.
The Johnson County Conservation Board (JCCB )will be celebrating Free Fishing Weekend with a fishing clinic for the entire family on June 5th from 3-6 p.m. at Kent Park.
Bait, tackle and a limited number of rods and reels will be available for participants to use. The JCCB also manages a beautiful campground at Kent Park that residents are encouraged to use. Electrical sites are available for $15 a night and non-electrical for $10.
Kent Park is home to a 27-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish and three 1-2 acre ponds in the easterly valley. For more information contact the Johnson County Conservation Department office, at 645-2315 or the Conservation Education Center at 645-1011.
*ICARE Pancake Breakfast
ICARE will host its 23rd Annual New Pioneer/ ICARE Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 6, 2010 in the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp (SE Corner of Gilbert & E. Washington Streets in Iowa City). We'll be there rain or shine!
A gourmet breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, fresh squeezed orange juice and Starbucks coffee will be served from 8 a.m. -1 p.m. during the Iowa Arts Festival. All proceeds will support ICARE's mission to enrich the quality of life for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Come enjoy the sweet sound of local entertainment and the best breakfast in town!
We are in need of 80-90 volunteers to help set up, squeeze orange juice, serve food and beverages and tear down. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ericka Pullen at epullen@meccaia.com or call 319-351-4357.
Don't miss this fun and exciting Iowa City tradition...a great opportunity to support a local cause!
*UAY Festival of Flowers
United Action for Youth is holding its annual Festival of Flowers Thursday, June 3 from 5:30-8 PM at Brown Deer Country Club in Coralville.
Admission is $25; see www.unitedactionforyouth.org for more information.
*DID YOU KNOW? It is estimated that we need another 13 million acres of farmland growing fruits and vegetables just for Americans to meet the minimum daily requirement of fruits and vegetables set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Source: American Farmland Trust.)
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 @ 11:08 AM
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