SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
October 12, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 10/15/13
In this edition:
*Iowa City Elections
*IC Human Rights Breakfast
*Run For The Schools
*Did You Know?
*Iowa City Elections
It
is election season in Iowa City, and as you might imagine, I have some
thoughts.
I
subscribe to the theory that most local governments suffer from a severe case
of groupthink. Elected officials are busy people, who typically hold other
jobs. They simply don’t have the time to dive into the many relevant topics the
way they should. When an elected official lacks information, she/he turns to
the person with the info – in this case, the City Manager.
So
one person – he with the most information – ends up with tremendous power. No
matter how smart your manager might be, he (they are almost always he) needs to
be challenged. Eight heads are better than one. He needs people asking
questions. That simply does not occur in Iowa City today. This council has
decided to just go along.
I also see Iowa City doing many wrong things right now. The city
is moving away from all of its historical strengths. Let’s look at just a few:
AAA Bond Rating: Iowa City seems determined to follow
the rest of our cities down the TIF path. The city now falls all over itself
giving handouts to private businesses – and they aren’t even choosing the
correct businesses! Steve Atkins’ Iowa City used to be “above the fray” when it
came to these financial shenanigans. Let’s return to those days!
Diversity: Iowa City used to value diversity. Now
we have a police force that routinely harasses people of color. The message
people of color get is very clear – we don’t want you here! This Council has
been unwilling to address this in any meaningful way.
Respect for Civil/Human
Rights: You can’t pass
things out downtown. You can’t lie down downtown. You can’t talk to passers by
downtown. Basically, you cannot do ANYTHING downtown – if you are poor, anyway.
They’ll look the other way if you appear to have money. Why isn’t all of this
unconstitutional? I do not understand how the ACLU has not sued and won on
these issues. More importantly, I do not understand how any Council could think
these rules make sense.
Caring: Iowa City used to care about people
with less. Not anymore. In the race to “catch” Coralville, this council decided
the poor need to live in other communities. This Council is going to sell
public housing, even if it makes no financial sense. Despite 30 years of
evidence to the contrary, they will vote against inclusionary zoning. They’ll
say they “prefer incentives to requirements”. And it won’t work – just like it
hasn’t worked for 30 years. They’ll spend tax dollars to subsidize crappy jobs
with no benefits. And yes, Eleanor – the people who are unable to pay your $65
“poor person’s fine” WILL go to jail in the end.
Innovative: Iowa City used to be innovative. This
was a city that tried things. Look at how this Council stressed over urban
chickens. They are so cautious that they are afraid of their own shadows.
Unless Marc Moen has an idea. Then they will throw caution (and money) to the
wind, and anything goes.
Intergovernmental
Relations: Iowa City
used to be very cooperative. Now they are looking to screw Johnson County at
every opportunity. From major issues like JECC, the animal shelter, and SEATS
to smaller slights such as the Trueblood Rec Area and MPO votes, the Markus
administration’s goal seems to be to put the hurt on Johnson County. I’m sure
Coralville feels every bit as warm and fuzzy about the way IC is behaving.
Heck, Iowa City won’t even agree to a joint meeting with Johnson County. 9 of
the 11 cities in the county have already done so. What are they afraid of?
Fun place to be: Iowa City used to be a fun place to
be. This Council wants to be certain no one has any fun. They even want to
screw up things like the Farmer’s Market that run well without their
interference. They want a reputation of quiet, somber solemnity. It is not fun.
I do not like where Iowa City is headed. We need a change. We can
and should do better. So I suggest shaking up the Council.
I support Kingsley Botchway and Rockne Cole in the At Large race,
and RoyceAnn Porter in District B.
I
have seen Kingsley’s work firsthand at Johnson County. He is bright,
enthusiastic, and hard working. He would bring the perspective of a young
person and a person of color – both perspectives this Council sorely needs.
Rockne
Cole has ideas. He is willing to think outside the box. And as an immigration
attorney, he is not interested in stripping more rights from more people.
I
have known RoyceAnn Porter since our daughters first became friends over a
decade ago. RoyceAnn tells it like it is. If the emperor is not wearing any
clothes, she’ll tell you.
This
is not a knock on the other candidates. They are all very nice people. I just
don’t see them changing the way IC does business. And we need a change. Desperately.
Iowa City needs to shake things up. We have an opportunity to do
just that. I urge you to vote Kingsley Botchway, Rockne Cole, and RoyceAnn
Porter for City Council.
*IC Human Rights Breakfast
The
30th Annual Iowa City Human Rights Breakfast will be Thursday,
October 24 at 7:30 am at the Sheraton Hotel.
In
honor of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Iowa City Human
Rights Commission (ICHRC), the community is invited to participate in creating
a local human rights/social justice vision for the next fifty years by
participating in the ICHRC’s, “I Have a Dream…. for Iowa City” community
engagement campaign.
A
slideshow featuring these dreams for the future, as well as local human rights
struggles and victories over the past fifty years will be shown at the IC Human
Rights Commission’s Annual Human Rights Breakfast.
Past
ICHRC Commissioners and community members are also encouraged to share any
newspaper clippings, photos, and/or personal memories they have about the IC
Human Rights Commission and its work. This can be done by posting to the ICHRC
Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/IC-Human-Rights-Commission-50th-Anniversary/240490319431347) or by contacting Harry Olmstead at 319.338.2931
or email: harryo3@aol.com.
The
IC Human Rights Commission was established on September 3, 1963, just days
after the historic March on Washington, August 28, 1963, at which Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., delivered the historic, “I Have a Dream…” speech. As the
nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, the Iowa
City community is encouraged to look back over all that has been accomplished
in the last fifty years and envision what is yet to be accomplished in the next
fifty.
Tickets
for the IC Human Rights Commission’s 30th Annual Human Rights Breakfast on
October 24, 2013 cost $20 and can be purchased at the Cashier’s Desk at City
Hall (410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City). A limited number of reduced price
tickets are also available and can be reserved by calling 319.356.5022.
*Run For The Schools
You
can Run for the Schools on Sunday, October 20. To register or for more
information, see: http://www.runfortheschools.com/2013Brochure.pdf
*DID YOU KNOW?
Current Iowa City Councilor Connie Champion has served 4 full 4-year
terms. She is the first Iowa City Councilor to serve that long since at least
1970.
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 @ 4:45 PM
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