SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 15, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 6/18/13
In this edition:
*Goodbye, Harry Graves!
*NSA – Privacy Debate
*Gender Balance
*Still No Media
*Property Tax Rates
*Did You Know?
*Goodbye, Harry Graves!
Johnson
County Conservation Director Harry Graves is stepping down after a 42-year
career in Conservation, 12+ of it here in Johnson County.
I
have something I like to do when all the county officials get together at the
Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) meetings. While people are relaxing,
with their guards down, I try to get information. It sounds sneaky, but it
really isn’t so bad.
Where
I’m going with this: I have twice sat around with groups of Conservation
professionals. Both times, I asked, “Who is the best? Who is the very best
Conservation Director in Iowa?” Both times, there wasn’t much conversation.
They all replied, “Harry Graves.”
I
think those folks were (and are) correct. Harry is the best darned Conservation
Director in Iowa. That is not to say that Harry and I haven’t had our differences;
we’ve had a few. But my respect for Harry runs deep. Harry Graves is
passionate, intelligent, caring, dedicated, charming, funny, and deeply
committed. I LOVE Harry Graves. I want Harry Graves in my foxhole.
The
foxhole reference feels apt, as Harry and I have been on the same side in
several political battles. It doesn’t seem like supporting Conservation should
be a fight. But it is. It ALWAYS is. And you have to prepare as though you are
going into battle.
The battle of which I am most proud is the $20 million
Conservation Bond that passed with 61% of the vote in 2008, part of the largest
turnout election in Johnson County history.
The
bond vote didn’t just happen. Harry and I plotted and schemed for three years
prior to that vote. We faced and overcame several obstacles. Once the public
became aware, we knew they would embrace it. Harry knew that this was the right
thing to do. But getting to that point… I could write a book. I’ll never forget
it.
I
have no doubt that the Johnson County Conservation Department will continue to
flourish. There is a great Board and staff on hand. Many more good things are
on the way.
Meanwhile,
thank you, Harry. You were a gentleman, a scholar, and a true conservationist.
In the truest conservation ethic, you left things better than you found them.
Best of luck in your retirement.
*NSA – Privacy Debate
Like
many Americans, I am disappointed in the recent revelations regarding the NSA
and collecting data on Americans.
On one hand, it really isn’t surprising. I recognize that the
American government has spied on its own citizens dating back to the days of
George Washington. None of that makes it right; I just feel that some people go
too far in the righteous indignation they direct toward President Obama. Obama
should not be doing this. Neither should Bush, Reagan, Eisenhower, Nixon… it is
a problem regardless of the political party of the President. Always has been.
Additionally, private companies collect data on us all the time
without our consent. Again, this does not make it right. But I trust Big
Government more than I trust Big Business. That does not mean I want either
collecting data on me, but at least with the government I get a vote.
The key point in all of this is the balance of power in government.
First, there is the role of the courts. I think the government should be forced
to get warrants, and I don’t think the courts should grant them automatically.
Secondly, Congress does not need to approve this. Somebody needs to stand up!
In
my mind, Ed Snowden and Bradley Manning are heroes. We are punishing the
messengers, when we should be punishing the NSA. This situation sucks. It makes
us all feel very powerless. I hope we can make strides toward better protecting
our privacy.
*Gender Balance
A
few years ago, the Iowa Legislature passed a law requiring gender balance on
all city and county Boards and Commissions.
We
recently saw a report that noted only TWO Iowa counties are in full compliance
with this law – Van Buren and Johnson. That makes me proud!
This
has been hard work, and it is nice to see it paying off! Congrats to Executive
Assistant Andy Johnson, who has carried most of the load.
*Still No Media
Meetings
of the Board of Supervisors still go uncovered by local media. We haven’t had a
newspaper reporter there in weeks.
I
don’t blame the reporters. Their beats are too big. They are overworked,
underpaid, under-resourced, and not allowed to follow leads or write anything
in-depth. The fault lies at the top, where the money flows.
You
can still view and/or listen to Board meetings a few different ways; just go to
www.johnson-county.com for details.
*Property Tax Rates
Lots
of people like to lie about property tax rates in Johnson County, claiming, “they
are some of the highest in the country!”
Bullcrap!
Here are the facts – newly updated with current fiscal year data - 39 Iowa
Counties have higher property tax rates than Johnson County, ranking Johnson 40
out of the 99 counties. (Source: Iowa State Association of Counties.)
If
you are a regular reader of Salvos, you know that I refuted all those arguments
piece by piece last week. Interestingly, I received ZERO responses. That tells
me that people either don’t care or agree. I hope it is that you agree!
I’m
going to run this every week in Salvos, just to be sure you remember it. So
when somebody says otherwise, you can set them straight.
*DID YOU KNOW?
There are approximately 475 Johnson County residents currently on
probation; approximately 75 more are on parole. (Source: Sixth Judicial
District.)
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
"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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come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the
whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise
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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 @ 9:18 AM
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