SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
August 16, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 8/20/13
In this edition:
*Happy Birthday BJ!
*Back To School
*Good Luck, Jordan!
*Cosgrove Pork Day
*War On Poor Downtown
*Did You Know?
*Happy Birthday BJ!
Happy
birthday to my son BJ, who turns 17 on August 22nd. For those of you
who do not know him, BJ is a smart, caring, compassionate, thoughtful, kind,
hard-working, and funny young man. I am very proud of him, and proud of the man
he is growing to become.
Happy
birthday, Buddy! I love you!
*Back To School
Schools
start across Johnson County over the next couple of weeks, and residents need
to remember to adjust!
Allow
yourself a little more time when driving, biking, or walking. Beware of
pedestrians. Expect the unexpected.
Most
importantly, enjoy the influence of our young people!
*Good Luck, Jordan!
This
has been a summer of adjustments for my family. Our daughter Jordan returned
home from her freshman year at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois,
and moved back into her old bedroom. Like many families in this situation, we
found we had some things to work out!
Now
Jordan has headed back to Western for her sophomore year. There is much less
squabbling in our home, but also much less joy.
Good
luck, Honey! I am proud of you! I love you!
*Cosgrove Pork Day
Need
I say anything else? Sunday, August 25! If you’ve never been – go!
*War On Poor Downtown
There
is a War on the Poor going on in Downtown Iowa City. We have these about every
five years. In every case to this point, these efforts have been misguided.
Look,
I know something about this. For one, I spend a lot of time downtown. I
understand that there are lots of people down there who are dressed badly,
smell badly, and are looking for money. They are not pleasant people to be
around. Their appearances are different, and can scare little kids and old
ladies. I’d prefer not to sit by them.
On the other hand, I spent twenty years working in human services.
I understand that many of these people have serious needs – mental illness,
disabilities, homelessness, hunger, unemployment, addiction, and more. They are
not getting the help they need.
I have seen former clients down there begging – people who are
smart and able-bodied, yet choose this lifestyle. I know they have homes. I’m
disappointed in them, and when I see them, I tell them so.
I also rarely give money to beggars. We DO give very generously to
health and human services agencies – Melissa and I give ten percent of our annual
income. We prefer to invest our money in attempts at systemic change.
(Meanwhile, how much giving comes from those advocating for “cleaning up”
downtown?)
If people break laws – littering, using drugs, assault, theft –
whatever – then by all means, enforce the law. My sense is that this is less
about laws being broken, and more about aesthetics.
Every previous approach has led to laws that take away civil
rights. These laws are then applied arbitrarily and capriciously. Do you look
scary to an old white lady? Sorry, buddy. You are coming with me!
This group of people is an easy one to pick on. They lack money
and influence. They are unlikely to speak out. Sometimes they are rude and
obnoxious. They do not look, sound, or behave like “we” do. Not many people
will stand up for them.
As a matter of fact, I am already being criticized for this stand.
I am now anti-family, anti-business, and anti-safety. All the influential
people in town “want something done.” This issue ain’t a political winner – trust
me! Local Libertarians? I’ve heard crickets. They are happy to let me fight
this fight alone. They are only concerned with their OWN liberties; not those
of the poor. I don’t even personally approve of the message the downtown street
folks send; I am simply defending their right to send it.
There is also a move underway to privatize our public space. While
Iowa City has more and better public space than most, it is going away. A big
chunk is now being used as construction staging; interesting how that has
coincided with these perceived “problems”. Privatization means the
“undesirables” are on the way out; private property rights rule.
How about a more humane approach? If someone is doing something
you don’t like, try asking him/her to stop. Perhaps the DTA could invest in a
social worker rather than a cop. How about a rapid re-housing program? Those
have had significant success in other areas. How about a “wet” shelter? That is
a definite need. Are we really this lacking in creativity? Other cities have
tried many different approaches, while we default to one. The lack of
innovative thinking here is very, very sad.
Secondly,
let’s talk about this as it relates to my role as a County Supervisor. Some
have said I have no right to comment as to what goes on downtown. I beg to
differ. I’ve lived in Iowa City for 30 years. I am a resident, citizen, voter,
and taxpayer.
From
a County perspective – we don’t need people jailed for vagrancy. We just don’t.
We have no space, it costs too much, and it does not alter behavior. So this
“crackdown” that is being called for will cost the County dearly.
The County also spends a LOT of money on human services. Not as
much as we should, but many times more than all cities combined. Now, if cities
chose not to use TIF, thereby shutting the County out of any new taxes –
perhaps we could better address the needs that exist downtown. Or perhaps the
cities could use TIF money to house those without housing. Maybe the 10-15
people who cause the bulk of the problems downtown could live in the 14-story
tower next door?
Finally,
let’s look at this through the lens of morality. If Jesus Christ were to show
up in downtown Iowa City, would he hang out with jewelers, politicians and
sorority girls? Or would he hang out with people who were poor, hungry, and
mentally ill?
I
hope the Iowa City Downtown District and Iowa City Council address this issue
in a new and better way. But I expect that instead they’ll just tell their
friends about how out of touch I am.
*DID YOU KNOW?
Volunteers with the local Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) did
work equivalent to 38 FTEs last year. (Source: Elder Services, Inc.)
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.
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
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:30 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home