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rodsullivan.org
SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
September 28, 2012
Sullivan’s Salvos 10/2/12
In this edition:
*Johnson County Democratic Party BBQ
*Jesus Versus the Government?
*Question Your Assumptions
*Seven Myths of Government Bashing, Part 1
*Look For The Union Label!
*Did You Know?
*Johnson County Democratic Party BBQ
The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding its annual Fall BBQ Sunday, October 14 from 1-4 pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds.
Join your friends for food, fun, and political talk!
Suggested donations are $15 per person, $30 per family. Sponsorships are still available.
*Jesus Versus the Government?
Religion and politics can be a dangerous mix. I have long been told that I am not a good Christian because of some liberal beliefs. That actually led me to switch denominations in the 1980s.
So let’s take a look at one of the many contradictions presented by some of the folks who drove me away.
Jesus commands us to: “go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." He also says that a rich man has the same chance of getting into heaven as a camel has getting through the eye of a needle.
These are but a few of the gospel references to rich and poor. The words are unambiguous. Jesus is quite clear – having excess wealth is a sin. Failure to help the poor is a sin.
Most of the same people who claim that a 4% increase in taxes on the richest 2% of Americans is “confiscatory” also claim to be devout Christians.
So, is Jesus “confiscatory”? Is Jesus wrong? Should Jesus change his preaching to “pick yourself up by your bootstraps”? If you believe this, are you renouncing your Christianity? How can one subscribe to the teachings of both Ayn Rand and Jesus?
Look, I am no preacher. But I get preached AT a great deal, typically by people who are anxious to explain to me why I ought to hate gays.
Neither political party owns Christianity. We would all do well to question ourselves, and admit we do not know it all. And leave the religion out of politics. Otherwise, you may some day find yourself caught in a contradiction.
*Question Your Assumptions
Shelter House is hosting a thought-provoking program Wednesday, October 10 from 7:30-8:30 pm at the Englert Theatre.
“Question Your Assumptions” is an evening of education, entertainment, and conversation about homelessness in our community.
Admission is free; go to www.shelterhouseiowa.org for more info.
*Seven Myths of Government Bashing
A friend recently sent me a great piece by Gail Cohen entitled “Seven Myths of Government Bashing”. I like this piece so much that I have decided to divide it into seven parts and run it in Salvos.
Today, Part 1:CLAIM: Government exerts too much control over our lives. Every time private citizens allow “government” to enact a new law, or new regulation, we cede a little bit more power to it. We give up a little bit more of our privacy, a bit more control over our future, and enable this huge impersonal force called government to make more decisions for us.
ANSWER: Ask yourself the following questions: What goes into our ears? Sounds provided by Clearchannel and an ever-shrinking number of privately owned radio conglomerates answerable to no one. What goes into our eyes? TV shows and movies and news broadcasts provided by a small group of ever more powerful private entities whose goal is to increase their bottom line.
Who tells us what foods to eat and medicines to take? Privately owned companies like McDonalds and Coke and Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Who tells our children what constitutes “cool behavior” gives our kids daily examples of what is fair and moral? Does Obama get on TV and say that pre-marital sex and swearing are great ways to make friends? No, but private industries do.
Who tells us what cars we need to drive in order to feel manly, what gadgets we need to buy for our children, and where to shop? Private industry does. Who tells our children that it’s much better to spend money on trinkets and fancy cars to impress girls, than it is to save for college? Who tells our kids to drink Budweiser and smoke cigarettes? Private industries do, industries that make billions of dollars from your children’s’ future addictions.
Who collects data on the websites we visit, what we buy online and who we chat with? That would be Google, Microsoft and Facebook, not “government.” Who reports the identities of political dissidents to repressive governments like China, sells our personal data to the highest bidder, and spies on our internet activity? Obama and those wicked Democrats? No. Once again, that would be Yahoo, Facebook and Google, respectively.
Does government make the school books our children learn from? No. Private industries do, companies like Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Reed Elsevier, and Houghton Mifflin. Check your child’s textbook. Did “government” make it? Nope. Mostly likely, it came from one of the companies I just named. Does government make the voting machines we vote on? No. Private industries do, companies like Diebold, Sequoia, and the Nebraska-based Election Systems, who are answerable to no one but their shareholders.
And who has the largest financial stake in you ignoring the above paragraph, and wants you to please, please get back to business of complaining about government? Private industry does.
*Look For The Union Label!
I am extremely proud to be endorsed by both the Iowa City Federation of Labor and WIN (Working Iowa Neighbors). I have a long history with organized labor, and I am grateful to receive this honor.
*DID YOU KNOW? The Iowa City Federation of Labor is one of 14 Central Labor bodies in Iowa.
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
September 21, 2012
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/25/12
In this edition:
*ICCSD Challenges
*Excellent Work By IPP!
*Oktoberfest
*Early Voting Starts!
*Did You Know?
ICCSD Challenges
There has been a great deal of discussion in the community regarding ICCSD facilities. Should the priority be a fourth high school? Should the priority be new eastside elementaries? Should we be discussing updates to older schools? Clearly the answers to these questions are yes, yes, and yes! We have multiple priorities. My issue is that I do not see why these priorities need to compete. I think the Board and Administration must recognize that there is a way to move forward with multiple projects.
Purchase the land necessary to build a fourth high school. The land is unlikely to get cheaper. We were already taxed for it – spend it. Go ahead and begin planning what the building will look like. Use all the capacity at City (this may mean some redistricting!) and then some before you break ground. (All this should take several years.) Be sure the finances to operate it exist before we actually break ground.
Meanwhile, folks in North Liberty and North Coralville will need to understand that this high school will start out considerably smaller than West and City. Course offerings may vary a bit. A slightly smaller school is not a problem – neighboring Clear Creek Amana is a GREAT school, and a nice size. And it is not as though this is a new thing. The ICCSD operated University High School from 1916-1972; classes there were much smaller than classes at City. For that matter, West was much smaller than City when it opened. Board Members and Administration just need to be clear about that upfront, and stick to their guns when the inevitable complaints about “equity” arise.
As this is occurring, air condition older schools, and make them accessible. We should not build any more new elementaries until this is done. I served on the 1999 Yes For Kids Steering Committee. We promised that Mann, Longfellow, and other elementaries would be made ADA a compliant. We promised! This simply must be done; we were already taxed for it! The fact that we have gone 13 years and nothing was done in this area is really inexcusable. Updates can likely be done while a fourth high school is still in the planning stages. Once the renovations are completed, build a new eastside elementary.
There is not enough money? Then we’ll need to pass a bond. Start on some projects, figure out what else is needed, and ask the voters to approve it. They already voted for renovations (’99) and another High School (’07). Ask them to vote on a new elementary.
Easy, right? I realize that the way I am laying things out is overly simple. But the task ahead of the ICCSD is not impossible. There are a few key things that I feel would help them move forward:
1. Public feedback is important, but the ICCSD Board has been paralyzed while accepting input. There comes a time when decisions must be made. We are past that point.
2. We all want the Board to decide, right? Well, once a decision is made, it is made! At some point we must move forward with some type of a plan. If new Board members undo everything previous Boards have passed, we are stuck. Forever.
3. Let’s all relax the rhetoric a little bit. A student in the ICCSD is a lucky kid, whether she attends West or City. If your kid gets transferred, the world will not end. Chill.
School Board members have the most difficult jobs of any elected official. They deal with the most staff, biggest budgets, and most important subject (our kids). All this for no pay while working what amounts to a second job.
I admire School Board members. My brother serves in that capacity. And I think we are served by a good group of people in the ICCSD. I don’t really care that they fight. These are important issues – worth fighting over! To me, arguing demonstrates passion. Give me a group that cares any day over a herd of cattle being led by the nose through their agenda!
But we must get some things accomplished. The public is tired of inaction. Unless we begin building something, the ICCSD Board risks losing all credibility.
It is simply time to move forward. Vote, then start building something. The voters will let you know how they feel about your decisions. Just decide.
*Excellent Work By IPP!
The folks at the Iowa Policy Project continue to put out great work. Peter Fisher just did a great article on the ineffectiveness of big tax giveaways to big businesses, with little coming in return.
Governor Branstad reached the height of hypocrisy with his criticism of Democrats “picking winners and losers” while at the same time handing out the biggest corporate welfare package in Iowa’s history. Brazen hypocrisy!
Branstad’s largess (coupled with Lee County’s share) amounts to $1,500,000 per job. At that amount, you could pay 600 people $40,000 per year for 10 years. To do nothing. Or to build roads. Or to care for seniors. Or to serve as cops. Basically, to do anything! Yet Branstad chooses instead to line the pockets of a foreign company.
Lee County is home to about 13,000 jobs. It has the State’s highest unemployment rate (less than 10%). In other words, roughly 1200 people need jobs. So theoretically, you could create 600 jobs – cutting unemployment in half – using the tax dollars we are shipping to Egypt. And you’d have infrastructure to show for it!
To read the article, see: http://iowapolicypoints.org/2012/09/05/does-iowa-know-when-to-walk-away/
*Oktoberfest
Northside Oktoberfest 2012 is coming up October 5 & 6 in Northside Iowa City! With live music, games for kids and adults, and 14 local food vendors, there's fun for the whole family. Proceeds go to the American Heart Association and the Horace Mann Elementary Smartboard Program.
Melissa and I attended Oktoberfest last year, and had a great time! I hope to see you there this year!
For more information, see: http://www.northsideoktoberfest.com/
*Early Voting Starts!
Early voting for the November 6 election begins Thursday, September 27! That is the day when absentee ballots get mailed to folks who have requested them.
Voting will be available at the Auditor’s Office and ICPL on that day; in addition, a schedule of satellite voting locations and times is available on the Auditor’s website: http://www.johnson-county.com/auditor/index.html
*DID YOU KNOW? Iowa City West is #9 in enrollment in the State of Iowa; City High is #29.
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
September 14, 2012
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/18/12
In this edition:
*Rights Versus Privileges
*The Last Two Presidents
*Chicago Teachers
*Windows and Mirrors
*Under a Cider Moon
*Did You Know?
*Rights Versus Privileges
I had a very interesting Facebook conversation with some Republicans recently. I found the discussion fascinating, and it actually offered me some real insights into the differences in the ways many Democrats and Republicans view the world.
For starters, a former Republican candidate for the US Senate told me, and I quote, “Voting is a privilege, not a right.” I find this somewhat comical, given his supposed reverence for the US Constitution.
The right to vote is ubiquitous within the Constitution. Voting is first mentioned in Article I, Section II, and references to voting exist in scores of places throughout the document. That does not even count the 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 24th Amendments, each of which specifically addresses voting rights.
The reason my GOP friends are claiming that voting is a privilege and not a right is because they are actively involved in attempting to prohibit millions of Americans from exercising that right. They are doing everything they can to purge voter roles, limit voting hours and methods, limit voter registration, and to force eligible voters to produce IDs many voters do not have. They are ATTACKING the most basic of rights of their fellow citizens! They would love to pretend that voting is a privilege. It is a RIGHT!
Back to the actual Constitution: the Judiciary has better defined all of our Constitutional rights; in many cases, these interpretations have limited rights. In other cases, rights have been expanded.
Most rights have been limited, in one way or another. For example, while voting is a right, that right is not extended to people under age 18. The right was formerly denied to debtors, women, and people of color.
Just because a right is limited does not mean it ceases being a right. The First Amendment is limited; for example, slander and libel are illegal. Private Bradley Manning is being charged with exposing state secrets; his First Amendment protections have been overruled. Other rights have been similarly limited. Yet we still enjoy broad First Amendment protections.
This gets to my point in terms of differing worldviews. It seems to me that many Republicans see the world as very black and white, while many Democrats view the world as full of gray areas.
Take the Second Amendment. I have a good friend who loves to hunt. While I don’t hunt, I certainly respect his right to do so. As a matter of fact, I’m glad he does it, because it helps to control wildlife populations that are no longer controlled naturally.
So both of us honor his Second Amendment right to bear arms. The difference is, he feels there should be NO restrictions, EVER upon that right.
I brought up a few outlandish examples: should kindergartners be allowed to bring guns to school? Should prisoners be allowed to have guns while in prison? Does every American have a right to a nuclear warhead?
Yes, these examples are extreme. BUT HE SAID YES! My buddy literally said, “I support the Second Amendment – no exceptions.” Even after I reiterated my list, he stuck to his guns. (A bad pun, I know!)
I believe the right to bear arms is a right; the courts have established this. I also believe that there are reasonable restrictions that can be applied to that right. That doesn’t mean it ceases being a right. It is not now a “privilege”. It simply means there are some gray areas.
My friend does not deal well with gray areas. He likes right and wrong, good and bad, Hawkeye and Cyclone. Unfortunately, the world is more complicated than that. People are more complicated than that. We cannot negotiate when people are absolutely entrenched in positions that allow for no compromise. We cannot govern. We cannot live.
Our rights are important. I wish my GOP friends would treat voting rights with the reverence they confer upon gun rights. Meanwhile, I hope all of us open our hearts and minds to the shades of gray that exist in our lives.
*The Last Two Presidents
Did you notice the interesting difference between speakers at the Republican and Democratic Party Conventions?
The last President from the Democratic Party got the second most prestigious speaking slot, behind only the current President.
The last President from the Republican Party did not even attend their convention.
I think that speaks VOLUMES as to which set of policies are going to better serve this country!
*Chicago Teachers
I support the Chicago teachers in their strike. Rahm Emanuel is a vile, evil man, and the people of Chicago can expect more disappointments as his term as Mayor continues.
Democrats (including the President) would do well to quit pretending this guy is a Democrat. Have you noticed how things began going better in the Obama White House after Emanuel departed? It is no coincidence.
*Windows and Mirrors
25 images on fabric make up the collection, Windows and Mirrors: Reflections on the War in Afghanistan - each depicting an aspect of the impact of the Afghan war on the civilian population caught in crossfire. The exhibit will be available throughout the month of September at the Coralville Public Library during regular library hours.
I had the opportunity to see this exhibit, and I can attest that it is powerful. Please check it out!
More importantly, Windows and Mirrors is but one of MANY Peace events taking place in September. Johnson County is lucky to be home to Peace Iowa. The name says it all – Iowans working for Peace!
For more info on Windows and Mirrors, the September events, or Peace Iowa, see: http://peaceiowa.org/peaceiowa.php
*Under a Cider Moon
The Johnson County Heritage Trust is holding its 6th annual Under A Cider Moon – Celebration of Autumn on Friday, October 19 at 5:30 pm.
The event will be held at Celebration Barn, 2501 Sugar Bottom Road NE near Solon. It features both silent and live auctions, music by Guy Drollinger, and local wine, beer, cider, and hors d’oeuvres.
The cost is $50 per person, $30 of that tax deductible. Reservations are required, and space is limited to the first 200 people! Deadline for registering is October 1 – call 338-7030 to RSVP.
*DID YOU KNOW? The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed discriminatory practices designed to keep minorities from voting.
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
September 7, 2012
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/11/12
In this edition:
*The Race Is On!
*Ciha Fen Dedication
*Congratulations, Larry!
*Field to Family
*Did You Know?
*The Race Is On!
The race for County Supervisor just got a lot more interesting, with two additional candidates filing just before the August 29 deadline.
John Etheridge and Dave Fesler are both conservatives, but are choosing to run nominated by petition in this race.
I look forward to some spirited discussions in the fall! Meanwhile, I want to ask each of you for your vote. I have tried to serve you well during my two terms as Supervisor. Some of the accomplishments I want to highlight:
• Successfully dealt with flood response and recovery;
• Passed a Human Rights Ordinance, the first County in Iowa to do so;
• Passed a Sensitive Areas Ordinance, the first County in Iowa to do so;
• Signed on to the Cool Counties initiative, the first County in Iowa to do so;
• Created a Livable Community for Seniors, the first County in Iowa to do so;
• Named Heritage Area on Aging Outstanding Elected Official, 2010;
• Supported the 2008 Conservation Bond Initiative;
• Created a Trails Committee and for the first time put trails in the budget;
• Instituted a highly successful Earned Income Tax Credit program;
• Established a Buy Local policy;
• Passed a Wind Energy Ordinance;
• Added rural tornado sirens;
• Argued for sensible use of TIFs;
• Fought waste at the Joint Emergency Communication Center.
Johnson County is in excellent shape financially, and most of our building needs have been met. We serve the 135,000-plus residents of the County with approximately the same number of employees as in 1990, when Johnson County had only 96,000 residents.
I am proud of these accomplishments. I hope you are, too. Many of these topics had been languishing for years. Some faced a lot of opposition, and took a lot of effort to pass. I promised to champion these issues, and I have delivered. Supporting Sullivan for Supervisor means more accomplishments like these!
I have demonstrated a willingness to ask tough questions and challenge the status quo. I listen, get people involved, work hard, and get things done.
Perhaps most importantly, I have stood for things while a member of the Board. I have said “no” to friends, and I have said “no” to full rooms. My votes are based upon what I feel is best, not what is politically expedient. To properly serve as Supervisor, you must be willing to do what is right, not just what is popular.
There is still work to do. Moving forward, my goals are:
• Work with cities and the Legislature for sensible TIF usage;
• Improve rural housing conditions;
• Chip seal more gravel roads;
• Increased support for Human Services;
• Improve Affirmative Action results.
Thank you for hearing me out. Those are my thoughts, but I need to know yours! Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions, comments, or concerns.
*Ciha Fen Dedication
Johnson County is dedicating the Ciha Fen property, 145th Street NE near Sutliff, on Saturday, September 22.
For those of you who need a reminder: The Ciha Fen Preserve is a sand prairie/savanna complex on a wind-deposited sand ridge. It contains the Ciha Fen, which is one of the only two documented remaining nutrient-poor fens known in the state of Iowa. It has numerous rare plant and animals species.
Cornell College Professor Paul Christiansen identified the Ciha Fen decades ago, but kept it somewhat quiet, since no funds existed to purchase and preserve the property. Last year the Ciha Fen was purchased using proceeds from the 2008 voter supported Conservation Bond initiative.
Dress casually for a day of hiking around a wooded timber and dry prairie. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. You may want to consider bringing a water bottle, a lawn chair, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
145th Street NE will be closed to through traffic on the day of the event. Please park on the shoulder of 145th Street NE.
The agenda for the morning is as follows:
9:00 Welcome and Dedication: JCCB President Amy Bouska and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation President Mark Ackelson.
9:15-10:00 Geological History of the Ciha Fen: Retired State Geologist and Author Dr. Jean C. Prior and UI Geosciences Associate Professor Dr. E.A. Bettis III.
10:00 -10:45 Botanical Tour: JCCB Vegetation Specialist David Wehde and JCCB Vegetation Technician Jeremy Rieck.
10:45-11:30 Birds, Bugs and Beasts: Rick Hollis, Frank Olson and Chris Edwards.
11:30 - 12:00 Multispecies Inventory and Monitoring Project: JCCB Naturalist Brad Freidhof.
For more information or to register for this event contact Brad Freidhof
at (319) 645-1011 or email Brad at bfreidhof@co.johnson.ia.us.
*Congratulations, Larry!
All of County Government, particularly the Conservation Department, celebrates the Ciha Fen. Similarly, all of County Government, particularly the Conservation Department, is mourning the retirement of Larry Lovetinsky, Conservation Superintendent.
Larry has spent over 30 years with Johnson County Conservation. He is a straight shooter, a hard worker, an excellent supervisor, a true conservationist, and a good and decent man.
You simply do not replace people like Larry Lovetinsky. Someone else will do the job. But no one will replace Larry.
Congratulations on your retirement, Larry!
*Field to Family
Field to Family is a cool local organization that is holding lots of events in the month of September. For a complete list, see: http://www.fieldtofamily.org/
Field to Family’s mission is to grow healthy communities by connecting local food and families. We envision a region where people eat with the seasons, where farmers make a living, and our rural landscapes are diverse, abundant, and healthy.
*DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County once elected a Supervisor who was nominated by petition – Don Sehr in 1994. But that was a low-turnout April Special Election, and Sehr had already served a couple terms as a Supervisor as a member of the Democratic Party. He had finished 4th in a 6 way Democratic Primary just two years earlier.
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
September 1, 2012
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/4/12
In this edition:
*Apples!
*Working With A Republican Friend
*Respecting People’s Time
*Fry Fest
*Iowa City Scrabble Club
*Did You Know?
*Apples!
We have a bumper crop of apples in our backyard. The summer heat has resulted in the largest, tastiest apples that our tree has ever produced!
So, if you want apples, just come pick them. The tree is in the back yard. All I ask is a rough estimate of when you might be here so I can alert my family.
Spread the word, and happy picking!
*Working With A Republican Friend
I ran into an old high school friend the other day. We don’t see each other often, and it was great catching up.
My friend is a staunch Republican; as Salvos readers know, I am a staunch Democrat. Yet the two of us have what I would call incredibly productive political discussions. I have several Republican friends, but for some reason the two of us seem to really click when it comes to problem solving.
It begins with respect. Both of us believe that respect is earned, and over the years, we have earned it from each other. Our friendship is much more important than the politics.
My buddy was always good at cutting through the BS. In fact, he is so direct that it sometimes causes fights. For example, a mutual friend was going on about how “Obama was going to take his guns.” My buddy said, “Obama has been President for 4 years. Gun laws are looser than when he was elected. We are going to discuss a real issue.”
No matter the issue – jobs, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, education, Afghanistan – we can find middle ground. I honestly believe that between the two of us, we could solve all our problems.
That begs the question: why can’t the federal government resolve these same issues? The answer is simple – the priority is winning, not governing. In a rare moment of honesty, Mitch McConnell said as much.
My friend and I agree on the best solution here, too: a Constitutional Amendment creating 100% publicly financed campaigns. The current Supreme Court would likely shoot down anything less.
In addition to a Constitutional Amendment, we agreed that Congress needs term limits. Terms in the House should be extended from 2 to 4 years, and individuals should be limited to 3 terms. Similarly, individuals should be limited to three 6-year Senate terms. If the cards fell just right, a single individual could serve 30 years at the federal level. That is plenty!
It was good to see an old friend. It was good to have a spirited political discussion. I hope all of you have at least one relationship like the one I am blessed to have. And I hope some day people from the two largest political parties can reach similar agreements!
*Respecting People’s Time
One of my pet peeves is when people fail to respect my time. Like most people in today’s fast-paced world, my daily schedule is full. My guess is that yours is, too.
This tight schedule means that I cannot afford to have someone show up half an hour late for an appointment. It affects every other appointment for the rest of the day.
Interestingly, the places where I have the most trouble are doctor’s offices. The irony there is that they set the appointment! I feel like saying, “Hey – YOU told ME to be here at 2:00 – not the other way around!”
We are all busy; probably too busy. I promise to do my best to respect your time – I hope you will do the same.
*Fry Fest
The 4th Annual FRY fest will take place FRYday, September 7, and will recognize and celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the renewal of the Iowa vs. Iowa State football rivalry, the day before the Hawkeyes take on the Cyclones in Kinnick Stadium.
FRY fest attendees will be able to take in a day of panel discussions reliving stories from broadcasters, players and coaches’ perspectives from this intra-state rivalry game played annually between Big 12 Conference member Iowa State Cyclones and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference.
The “World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow & Tailgate Party” is back where fans can interact with Hawkeye retailers, licensees, and other related groups. New to the mix will be some Cyclone licensed vendors offering fans their latest and greatest merchandise as well.
Also returning are the FRY fest car show presented by Carousel Nissan, FRY fest small FRY zone at Diamond Dreams, and the FRY fest pep rally, all FREE and open to the public. The day will wrap up with an incredible outdoor concert.
With numerous family-friendly activities planned throughout the day, FRY fest is a true ‘Celebration of all that is Hawkeye.’ We hope to see you on September 7!
For more information and a full schedule of events, see: fryfest.com
*Iowa City Scrabble Club
Many people love the classic board game Scrabble, but few realize that Iowa City has a local Scrabble Club.
The club meets once or twice per month, usually at the Iowa City Public Library. Players are matched based upon skill and competitiveness, and all the participants have been good-natured.
A spin off group has begun meeting in Coralville; I know less about that gathering. To get your name added to the e-mail list, or for more information on either group, contact Gary Sanders at 337-7739.
*DID YOU KNOW? The highest score for a single word in Scrabble is 392. The word was craziques, which means Indian Chief. Dr. Saladin Khoshnaw played the word in 1982.
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
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