SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
August 10, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 8/13/13
In this edition:
*Happy Birthday Melissa!
*Welcome Angela Laffey!
*Work? Campaign? Personal?
*Where Have You Been Lately?
*Landlocked Film Festival
*Did You Know?
*Happy Birthday Melissa!
Happy
Birthday to my wife Melissa. You know, in the age of Facebook, it is becoming
cliché to write a blurb praising your spouse. The compliments often sound
hollow. Yet I’m going to do the exact same thing!
I
have got to tell you – Melissa Fath is AMAZING! Her ability to balance research
with her roles as a wife, mother, and community member – I have no words to do
it justice! I guess I’ll just stick to: Happy Birthday, Honey! I love you!
*Welcome Angela Laffey!
For
the first time in 27 years, the Board office has a new secretary. Angela Laffey
of Oxford recently took the position, and has been a wonderful addition to the
team!
So,
if you stop in the Board office or call 356-6000, introduce yourself to Angela.
I’m sure you’ll find her to be very helpful!
*Work? Campaign? Personal?
I
wrote this article for Salvos last year, but the issue continues to be of
interest. I have edited last year’s article to incorporate new info.
Supervisors face choices when they engage in certain activities in
the community. Is the activity work, campaigning, or personal?
An
example: I used to volunteer at the ICARE Pancake Breakfast. I volunteered for
this breakfast for quite some time – longer than I have served as a Supervisor.
So,
was I working? It hardly strikes me as work – it is a volunteer gig. Yet I know
some Supervisors would consider it work.
Was
I campaigning? I suppose a cynic would say that every public appearance by a
Supervisor is campaigning. But it did not feel like campaigning to me.
I
feel as though I was volunteering. (I also bought a ticket, even though
volunteers ate free.) That makes it my personal time. I think that is the way
the public would want it. But it is not always so clear.
Let’s
use another example: I always attend the Solon Firefighters Pancake Breakfast.
While I have not volunteered, I do purchase a ticket, which helps the cause.
Working?
That would be a tough case to make! Volunteering? Only if you consider eating
volunteer work! Campaigning? I would say yes.
Another
scenario: while at Hy-Vee, three different people each stop a Sup and take ten
minutes discussing work-related items. Is that work? If not, what is it?
Volunteering? Can you volunteer at your job? (Union rules often strictly
prohibit this so no abuses can take place.)
Is a Sup working when reading work related materials at home? Is
it work to attend a Chamber luncheon? Is it work to just drive some gravel
roads?
While this might be an interesting exercise for an elected
official, it is only important to the public in one way: does the elected
official put in enough work? Does she/he get results? Do they accomplish what
needs to be accomplished? If you work enough, then it really does not matter if
some of your time is spent campaigning and volunteering.
Much
gets made of the fact that Supervisor is considered a ¾ time position. I have
done my own time studies, and while there is no such thing as a “regular” week,
I almost always work right around 80 hours every two weeks.
While
this is more than ¾ time, there are other factors that should be taken into
consideration. Supervisors do not punch a clock, so the hours get worked
largely when each Sup wants. Some hours are at the office, some are in the
community, and some are at home. The flexibility is amazing, and that is worth
something.
As
we all know, there are people who can work 80 hours every two weeks and get
nothing done. There are folks who can work less and accomplish more. There are
folks who you WISH would work less, because they tend to screw things up. There
are also those who just go through the motions.
Personally,
I think anyone who complains about the hours and/or the pay should quit whining
and take another job. Nobody forces you to run for office. On the other hand,
the pay must be substantial enough to attract good candidates.
Meanwhile,
when one Supervisor works considerably less than the others, it has an effect.
Those who are in the office take more calls from the public. They respond to
more e-mail more quickly. They spend more time on employee concerns. They are
viewed as more accessible by Department Heads, meaning they are consulted more
frequently. That means some people work harder than others, though the pay is
the same.
So, what are your thoughts? Maintain the status quo? Make Sups
full time and pay them more? Reduce the expectations of time spent in the
office? Should individual Supervisors be held to account for the hours they spend?
Or do you have another suggestion altogether?
*Where Have You Been Lately?
In
a related matter… campaigns are heating up for school board and city council
seats. That means candidates will be showing up at all kinds of community
events. Sounds great, right? Listen to the people, right? Actually, my friends,
this is something you should question!
One thing that really irks me is the candidates who only check in
when they are running for reelection. You know the routine – your group meets
every month, year after year – and the candidates are there only the month
before the election. But they assure you that they care what you think all the
time, not just during the election! Right. Actions speak louder than words.
I made a pledge to myself when I was first elected in 2004 that I
was not going to play that game. I have worked my tail off to make sure that I
do not behave differently during campaign season. I hope people recognize that,
but it might be wishful thinking.
Meanwhile,
during this campaign season, don’t hesitate to ask the candidates, “Where have
you been lately?”
*Landlocked Film Festival
The
Landlocked Film Festival hits downtown Iowa City August 16-18. I LOVE this
event! If you have never gone, you simply must!
For
a complete schedule and/or additional info, see: http://www.landlockedfilmfestival.org
*DID YOU KNOW?
There are over 3,000 vehicles bought/sold in Johnson County each month.
(Source: Johnson County Treasurer.)
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.
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.
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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 @ 12:01 PM
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