SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 25, 2011
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/24/11
In this edition:
*Jean Martin
*Memorial Day
*Graduation
*Solon Firefighters Pancake Breakfast
*North Liberty Blues & BBQ
*Kent Park Beach
*Did You Know?
*Jean Martin
I lost a good friend last week with the passing of Jean Martin. Our county lost a quiet but effective champion for senior citizens, mental health, the environment, organized labor, women’s issues, and many other important causes.
One of the biggest fallacies in our society is that only big names and/or big voices get things accomplished. You do not need advanced degrees to be intelligent or to win an argument. You do not need to be wealthy to contribute to charity. You do not need to buy acres of timber to help the environment. You do not need to be a politician to affect social change. You do not need to be elected to be a leader. Jean Martin proved all these points.
Jean Martin was a single mother who earned union wages, worked two jobs most of her adult life, and lived in a mobile home. Yet I challenge anyone to name me a person who gave more to this community.
Jean spent a lot of time quietly helping others. I recall a time in the mid-90s when I was in a conversation with Joe Bolkcom, who was running for County Supervisor at the time. He was looking into the larger campaign signs that are sometimes used in the rural areas. Joe inquired as to who knew anything about those. I recall turning to Jean Martin, who not only knew where to get the signs, but took it upon herself to drive around the county putting them up. Joe didn’t expect her to take this on, but we were told by several people, “Don’t worry - that is just one of those things Jean does.”
There were a LOT of those things! Jean worked the front desk at the Senior Center, often helping folks who were actually younger than herself! Jean could always be counted on to clean up the grounds at the Community Mental Health Center. Jean picked up dog poop at the dog park. Jean spent every Friday evening during the summer raising money for Iowa Shares. She was constantly helping some of her less-fortunate neighbors. Jean was the driving force behind organized labor in Johnson County. The list goes on and on.
Jean was committed to social justice, and she was willing to stand and fight. But she also did what she could do personally. The whole idea of “Think globally, act locally” is embodied in her spirit.
In addition to all of her good works, Jean was smart, funny, patient, kind, caring, and a real joy to be around. We lost a very special person with the passing of Jean Martin. RIP, Jean.
*Memorial Day
Happy Memorial Day! While you enjoy a day off work, please take a moment to thank the women and men who have sacrificed to make this country the place it is today.
If you want to physically show up and show your support, there are several commemorations throughout Johnson County. I could not find a link to a good listing, but I am certain the local media will fill us in as the day gets closer.
*Graduation
Congratulations to all our graduating seniors! Commencement has already taken place at the UI and Kirkwood, and the local high schools are graduating as we speak.
I know that Melissa (and others) accuse me of being overly sentimental when it comes to these types of things. That may be true. But graduation really is a milestone.
Certainly, what graduates do in the future is much more important than what they have done to date. But the fact is, they have accomplished something important. Let’s reflect upon it, and celebrate it! Congrats again to all the graduates!
*Solon Firefighters Pancake Breakfast
The Solon Fire Department is holding its 50th (yes, 50th!) annual pancake breakfast on Sunday, May 29 from 6AM to 12:30PM at the fire station.
Volunteer fire departments run on shoestring budgets. They count on fundraisers like this. Please do what you can!
*North Liberty Blues & BBQ
North Liberty is holding the annual Blues and BBQ celebration Sunday, May 29 from noon-10 PM at Liberty Centre Park.
This gets better every year! This year’s acts include 2 of Iowa’s very best - Kevin Burt and the Instigators and Bob Dorr and the Blue Band! There will be lots of food vendors, including BBQ competitors. Add in games and rides for the children, and you have a great event!
For more information, see: http://www.northlibertyiowa.org/bluesandbbq/
*Kent Park Beach
THE F.W. KENT PARK BEACH WILL OPEN FOR THE SEASON ON SATURDAY, MAY 28. DAILY HOURS ARE 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
NO LIFEGUARDS ARE PROVIDED, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK, SWIM ONLY AT DESIGNATED BEACH, NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON BEACH. CANS BOTTLES AND FOOD ITEMS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE BEACH AREA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE JOHNSON COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD AT 319-645-2315.
*DID YOU KNOW? 47% of all American adults use a mobile device to access local news. (Source: Pewinternet.org.)
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
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 12:35 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home