SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 3, 2011
Sullivan’s Salvos 12/6/11
In this edition:
*Local Media and You
*Luke 16:13
*Grants Part 1: LED Lights
*Grants Part 2: Rural Tornado Sirens
*NBA Lockout
*Did You Know?
*Local Media and You
I am frequently critical of the Gazette and Press Citizen. Among other concerns, I feel that they rarely give adequate coverage to important local issues.
I must give credit where credit is due, however. Recent coverage of the IPP TIF report and the proposed JECC budget are exactly the type of thing I have been looking for. Both papers have covered the issues thoroughly.
I hope they will keep it up. As you know, I have been hammering these two issues for years. My voice is not enough. If you care about these issues, YOU need to get involved.
The Press Citizen and Gazette have stepped up and done their job. The ball is in your court. The issues will only die if you LET them die! Write your local papers, and talk to your city councils and Iowa Legislators! Let’s be the change we wish to see in the world!
*Luke 16:13
“You cannot serve both God and money.” – Luke 16:13. That was the topic of a recent sermon at our church.
I cannot help but put this quote in the context of our public discussions about the widening gap between the rich and poor. There are a few folks out there who are making a LOT of money… about 2% of us, give or take. It strikes me that many of those same people claim to be Christians. Are they serving both God and money? The Gospel says clearly we cannot!
In fairness, Christianity commands ALL followers to share their wealth, not just those who have a lot. Every person has something she or he can give, even if it is not monetary.
I believe in a separation of church and state. While I am a Christian, I certainly do not expect anyone (or everyone) else to share my beliefs.
My frustration stems from the fact that the candidates for office tend to force their beliefs on others. The same people who make the biggest deal out of their Christianity are the same people who advocate for serving money. They are also the same people who want to interject Christianity into our government. Hey, if putting Christianity in government means Luke 16:13, then put it in!
Interesting to hear our self-professed Christians criticizing the Occupy movement, which is simply pointing out the degree to which we serve money in this country.
The Bible says you cannot serve both God and money. So, which is it, Rick Perry? Herman Cain? Michelle Bachmann? Mitt Romney? Who do you serve, God or money?
*Grants Part 1: LED Lights
Johnson County recently received a $36,000 grant to update our parking lot lights to LED technology.
Going to LED is a good investment for our environment and our taxpayers! The payback in terms of energy savings is only about 18 months, so this grant is a real score!
Thanks to grant writer Sara Sedlacek for her good work on this!
*Grants Part 2: Rural Tornado Sirens
I have written previously about my efforts to secure rural tornado sirens for unincorporated (yet populated) portions of Johnson County.
Well, we have more good news on this front! Johnson County Emergency Management Director David Wilson recently announced that Johnson County is getting a $200,000 federal grant to cover rural sirens.
Johnson County got the grant because of our existing commitment to rural public safety; we had already budgeted $25,000 for more rural sirens this year. The additional $200,000 will serve to cover the populous portions of Johnson County extremely well.
Thanks to Dave Wilson for his good work on this!
*NBA Lockout
Though I love sports, I try not to write much about it in Salvos. I figure that readers already have many places to read about and discuss athletics.
I am making a bit of an exception this week, as I believe it is important to have some discussion of the National Basketball Association (NBA) lockout.
As you may have seen, the NBA players and owners have reached a tentative agreement. I am squarely on the side of the players. Here are some very important factors to keep in mind:
1. The labor stoppage is a lockout, not a strike. Players had already agreed to go to work for less money!
2. While players obviously make a lot of money, team owners are among the wealthiest people on planet earth! This is NOT “rich versus rich” as it is being sold. This is rich versus so wealthy it cannot even be explained.
3. Don’t fool yourself – there is a racial component to this. Owners are old white men. Players are largely young black men. This whole business reeks of a modern day plantation.
4. The work stoppage hurts many additional people – most poor- who work as janitors, in concessions, etc.
Here is the biggest irony: the players are saying, “give us a free market.” The owners want all kinds of controls, caps, revenue sharing, etc.
Take a moment to see what those same owners say about their other businesses. In those cases, they must have no regulation. Only a completely free market will do.
Except when it hurts them. Face it – the owners are hypocrites who have gorged themselves at the public trough. I hope you will join me in supporting the players – the workers – in this classic work stoppage.
*DID YOU KNOW? Sirimauo Bandranaike of Sri Lanka became the world's first popularly elected female head of state in 1960.
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.
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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 @ 1:20 PM
1 Comments:
I am excited for the LED lights at the parking lot.
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