SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
November 7, 2013
Sullivan’s
Salvos 11/12/13
In this edition:
*RIP Nancy Swisher
*City Election Results
*Planning and Zoning
*Green Building Certification
*Homeless Children’s Trust
*Center For Worker Justice
*Did You Know?
*RIP Nancy Swisher
We
lost a real gem a few days ago with the passing of Nancy Swisher of Iowa City.
Nancy was a kind soul who really cared deeply about making the world a better
place.
I
am glad I had the opportunity to know her. RIP, Nancy.
*City Election Results
The
voters have spoken, and the results are in!
In
Iowa City, the top issues seemed to be diversity, affordable housing, and
downtown. The status quo won 2/3 races, with incumbents Susan Mims and Terry
Dickens holding their seats. Newcomer Kingsley Botchway II claimed the other position.
She did not win, but candidate Royceann Porter really set the terms of the discussion. And Rockne Cole and Catherine Champion are unlikely to go away! We’ll see what happens on these issues over the next two years.
She did not win, but candidate Royceann Porter really set the terms of the discussion. And Rockne Cole and Catherine Champion are unlikely to go away! We’ll see what happens on these issues over the next two years.
In
Coralville, the issue was good versus evil. (Or so I was told.) Record voter
turnout gave us the following results: In the Mayoral race, incumbent Councilor
John Lundell easily defeated three other challengers. Incumbent Councilors Bill
Hoeft and Tom Gill also won, along with former city employee Laurie Goodrich.
So Americans for Prosperity went 0-4 in their misguided intervention into
Coralville politics. Now we’ll see if we can get a joint meeting!
A
couple other races of note: in University Heights, local elections once again approached
Gubernatorial levels of turnout. On Tuesday, over 60% turned out to elect the
more “pro-development” of the two slates. This probably means less compromise and
more pushing forward on the proposed St. Andrew development.
The race in Tiffin has been quite contentious; the interesting
result there is former Mayor and current Councilor Royce Phillips losing his
seat. Similarly, newcomer Markus Cannon defeated Bryan Bredman, incumbent Mayor
of Shueyville, by just two votes. In Oxford, Gary Wilkinson won the race to
replace Don Saxton, who is retiring after 44 years of service. Voters in Oxford
took this seriously, voting at a 45% clip.
I
have only touched on a few of the many races that were decided Tuesday; for a
complete list, go to www.johnson-county.com/auditor/.
Thanks
again to all who threw a hat into the ring and stood for election. And
congratulations to all the winners. You were just hired for some very important
jobs! I wish you all luck!
*Planning and Zoning
Members
of the Board of Supervisors often hear that our citizens really care about
Planning and Zoning. I believe people when they say this, and there is evidence
to back it up – candidates who support good Planning and Zoning principles have
won the majority of our elections over the past 20 years.
Still,
when the Board is actually faced with Planning and Zoning decisions, the only
people who speak want to subvert, change, or abolish our zoning rules. The
Board hears from these folks frequently; supporters of good planning? Not so
much.
One
real pet peeve of mine – our Sensitive Areas Ordinance only applies to
subdivisions of 3 or more lots. It should apply to all subdivisions of 2 or
more lots. This is a loophole that simply must be closed! But right now, only
two Supervisors support this change. Until we get three votes, the Sensitive
Areas Ordinance is impotent. It would be great to have the public begin to
pressure Supervisors to do the right thing in this case.
You
can change the way zoning decisions occur in this County! The Board meets
tonight (Tuesday, November 12) at 5:30pm to discuss several zoning matters. Show
up. See what you think. Speak your mind.
*Green Building Certification
Johnson
County recently won an Excellence in Action award from the Iowa State Association
of Counties (ISAC) for our Green Building Certification program.
This
ISAC award is given annually to a county that comes up with an innovative idea.
This is at least the 3rd and perhaps the 4th award
Johnson County has won since the award was created approximately 6 years ago.
The
Green Building Certification program is administered through the Building
Division of the P&Z Department. Our Building Inspectors work with builders
to certify that building elements are done according to the best practices in
environmental sustainability. Upon inspection, builders who chose to build
their home or business to the higher standard receive a certification. This
certification stays with the building, so future buyers will know how it was
constructed. Everything is voluntary, but because the public is demanding
greater sustainability, the program is growing.
We
will be able to pick this award up next week at the ISAC annual meeting in Des
Moines. Congratulations to Johnson County P&Z Department on this well-deserved
award!
*Homeless Children’s Trust
The
annual Homeless Children’s Trust Christmas Party is Saturday, December 7th.
Volunteers are needed – to help, please call Mary Larew at 338-1212 or
337-2264, or e-mail her at marylarew33@yahoo.com.
*Center For Worker Justice
The
Center For Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa (CWJ) is celebrating its 1st
Anniversary with an open house on Saturday, November 16 from 2-6pm.
This
is an opportunity to salute the hundreds of volunteers who have worked for the
past year to help the CWJ take root. This has been a year of education,
organizing, and social change. People are speaking up, wage theft is being
addressed, and good things are happening.
This
event will be held at the new office space recently secured by the CWJ at 940
South Gilbert Court in Iowa City.
*DID YOU KNOW?
The Johnson County Land Use Plan was adopted in 2008.
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
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anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail
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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 @ 9:13 PM
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