Rod Sullivan, Supervisor, Johnson County, Iowa

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SULLIVAN'S SALVOS

July 31, 2011

Sullivan’s Salvos 8/2/11




In this edition:

*Congratulations Rachel!
*Swisher Fun Days
*Homeless Children’s Trust
*EMA Award
*Chamber Ag Tour
*Wind power
*Campaign T-shirts
*Did You Know?




*Congratulations Rachel!
I start this week with congratulations to my daughter Rachel, who has recently enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. Rachel, 19, is a 2010 graduate of City High. She will be shipping out to Fort Seale, Oklahoma for Basic Training on August 7.

If you have read my writings for any length of time, you know how I feel about the three (or more) wars in which we are currently engaged. Iraq is an illegal war, based on lies. No one can give me a good reason for staying in Afghanistan. Libya was unauthorized, and is looking like the 2011 version of the Bay of Pigs.

In other words, I am not a big fan of US military policy since 1944. One might think that this presents me with a moral dilemma, but not really.

I have always advocated for bringing our troops home. I have always supported our troops. Those two stances are not mutually exclusive. Now that I have a child who could face deployment in these areas, my feelings are only magnified.

Meanwhile, despite my concerns, I think the military lifestyle will be a positive for Rachel. Congratulations, Honey, and good luck! I am proud of you!




*Swisher Fun Days
Fun Days rocks the City of Swisher on August 5 & 6. If you get the chance, visit Swisher and have some fun with the locals – they know how to have a good time!

For a full schedule of events, see: http://www.swisheria.org/




*Homeless Children’s Trust
The Homeless Children’s Trust is once again collecting Back To School supplies for needy children in Johnson County.

You can donate school supplies at the Little Red Schoolhouses found at several locations throughout Johnson County, including all HACAP and UI Community Credit Union locations; Walgreens in IC and Coralville; Hy Vee on Waterfront and in Coralville; Hills Bank on Gilbert; Big K Mart; Hawkeye Harley Davidson; and KCJJ. Thanks to all those great sponsors!

Schoolhouses will be out until August 12, so donate today! And, needless to say, financial contributions are welcome! For more information, contact Mary Larew at 337-2264.




*EMA Award
Congratulations to Johnson County Emergency Management, which has received the Region 7 award for outstanding efforts in emergency planning.

This is a great honor, as Region 7 covers a four state area. It is also an honor that is well deserved. Congratulations!




*Chamber Ag Tour
The Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Ag Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9th.

We will visit Scattergood Friends School, Acciona Windpower and Wilson's Orchard. The cost is $10 for Chamber members, $15 for non-members. Please RSVP by Friday, August 5.

Questions can be directed to Maggie Putman, Director of Special Events by phone at 337-9637 or e-mail: maggie@iowacityarea.com.




*Wind Power
I hope you all saw the recent newspaper articles about a wind farm coming to Johnson County. (The proposal is for a relatively large farm just south and east of Solon.) I am extremely excited by the prospect of joining other Iowa counties as a clean energy producer!

Johnson County still needs to craft an ordinance to permit wind farms in the Ag zoning districts. A draft is already complete, and I am confident we can create a good ordinance. There are plenty of governments with years of familiarity in this area – we can certainly learn from their experiences.

The whole key seems to be setbacks. Pretty much every objection I have heard (sight, sound, ice, etc.) can be addressed by mandating adequate setbacks.

There are several area farmers excited about this income stream. There are green energy supporters excited about more green energy being produced locally. There are economic development folks excited by the good-paying jobs. I like all that and more! What are your thoughts on wind power?




*Campaign T-shirts
I still have a few “Sullivan for Supervisor” t-shirts that I would like to give away to a good home. Just promise me you will wear it in public, and it is yours!

I may not have all sizes available, so get yours now!




*DID YOU KNOW? The average number of people per household in the US is 2.58. (Source: US Census.)



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

July 24, 2011

Sullivan’s Salvos 7/26/11




In this edition:

*Fair week!
*Iowa = Good for Business!
*LEED Gold!
*Faith Without Works
*Obama Birthday Party
*Did You Know?



*Fair Week!
It is time for the Johnson County Fair! Free parking and free admission- and great fun for all ages! See you there!




*Iowa = Good for Business!
A recent CNBC study of the business climate in all 50 states ranks Iowa #9 overall. (The whole list can be viewed at CNBC.com.)

Iowa LED the nation in “cost of doing business”, a category that combines utility costs, wage costs, real estate costs, and yes… taxes! In other words, the overall cost of doing business in Iowa is lower than any other state.

So, as politicians from both parties fall all over themselves trying to cut taxes for big out of state corporations, remember this poll. Life ain’t so tough for a big business setting up shop in Iowa.

I hope the Iowa House and Senate look at this info, and decide to stick with the Main Street-friendly commercial property tax credit championed by Senator Bolkcom.




*LEED Gold!
The Johnson County Conservation Board (JCCB) has been awarded LEED® Gold Level Certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the new Conservation Headquarters and Conservation Maintenance Facility Buildings at F.W. Kent Park.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED) Rating System was designed by the US Green Building Council to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Gold is the second-highest rating awarded (behind Platinum), and is extremely rare in Iowa. The Johnson County Health and Human Services building received a Silver rating a couple of years ago.

The Conservation Headquarters and Conservation Maintenance Facility Buildings both achieved GOLD LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, these LEED Certified Buildings save money for taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for workers and the larger community.

Congratulations to the JCCB!




*Faith Without Works
A couple of Sundays ago, our Pastor read from James 2:17 - “Faith without works is dead.”

What does this mean? It basically warns Christians of the hypocrisy of talking a good game, then failing to act in a Christian manner.

The surrounding passages describe feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, and tending to those who are ill.

So – how will Christians accomplish these works? By tax breaks for billionaires? By tax loopholes for multinational corporations? By cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security? By cutting preschool? By reducing the estate tax?

Look, I do not believe the US government is required to follow Christian doctrine. I think it is clear that the founding fathers intended for a separation of church and state. Our government should not favor any one religion. But if you are going to make the case that we are a Christian nation, at least back it up with deeds!

Jesus speaks about helping the hungry, the homeless, and those who are ill. This dominates the things we hear from him. It is the most common subject he talks about. He also states many times – very clearly – that too much wealth is a sin.

Christians – faith without works is dead. Knowing that, how do you feel about where our country is headed?




*Obama Birthday Party
The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding an event in honor of President Barack Obama’s 50th Birthday.

The event is Sunday, August 7 from 4-7 pm in Lower City Park. A picnic dinner (burgers, brats, and veggie burgers, plus sides) will be available for $5 per person, $10 per family. That includes birthday cake!

Both sponsors and volunteers are needed. For more info, contact Liz Etchels at elizabeth.etchells@gmail.com or 319-541-9672.




*DID YOU KNOW? The national home ownership rate is 65%. Iowa and Delaware rank #1 in home ownership at 72.1%; New York is last at 50%. (Source: US Census.)



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