rodsullivan.org
SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
March 21, 2014
Sullivan’s
Salvos 3/25/14
In this edition:
*No Salvos Next Week!
*DVIP Souper Bowl
*Haiti
*Community Health Initiatives
*Agape Café Breakfast Fundraiser
*Did You Know?
*No Salvos Next Week!
There
will be no Salvos next week, as Melissa and I will be in Haiti on a mission trip.
Enjoy your break! Please have some stimulating conversations without me!
*DVIP Souper Bowl
The
Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) is hosting its Seventeenth Annual
"Souper Bowl" fund raising event to be held March 27, 2014,
5:30-7:30pm at the Clarion Hotel and Highlander Convention Center on North
Dodge.
The
Souper Bowl dinner provides funding to support victims of domestic violence. The
FBI estimates that 1 in 3 women will be affected by intimate partner violence,
dating violence or stalking by an intimate partner. Nearly 600 people attend
this event annually providing much needed funding for victims facing the impact
of violent crime and homelessness due to abuse.
The
Souper Bowl event is supported by more than 40 area restaurants donating their
best soups. Artists, students, and merchants donate bowls for those attending
the Souper Bowl to take home. For the price of a ticket ($25.00 per person,
$15.00 for students and children eat free) select your favorite bowl and have
as much soup as you can eat. Live music feature is the Dick Watson/Eve Minkler
Duo. All of the money raised supports DVIP services in Johnson County.
The
DVIP is looking for volunteers for the event; those interested in volunteering
can call DVIP at 319-351-1043 for more information.
DVIP
is a United Way agency and relies on private donations to provide services to
children and adults affected by violence. In July, Iowa Attorney General’s
office expanded DVIP’s service area from four counties (Cedar, Iowa, Johnson
and Washington) to eight counties. Our newest service area includes Des Moines,
Henry, Lee and Van Buren counties. In addition, DVIP was selected to host the
Regional Hotline for 13 counties stretching from Jackson County, South to Lee
County. The Attorney General’s office provided additional funding for this
expansion, and this effort was supported by last year’s Iowa Legislature.
DVIP
provides crisis intervention and support services to more than 1700 women,
children and men last year, and received nearly 18,000 hotline calls. Confidential
information and assistance is available 24 hours a day at (319) 351-1043 or
toll free at 1-800-373-1043.
*Haiti
Since
we are on our way to Haiti, I thought I’d share a few facts and figures:
Haiti is about one fifth the size of Iowa, and is home to almost 9
million people. Almost 3 million of those people live in and around Port Au
Prince, the capital city. Haiti is only 50 miles from Cuba, and only 700 miles
from Miami.
Haiti is home to the actual spot that Christopher Columbus first
landed in 1492. It is the only nation in the world formed as a result of a
slave revolt; Haiti was founded when the slaves defeated Napoleon’s army in
1804. Since that time, the people of Haiti have suffered under several dictatorial
regimes.
Over 85% of Haitians live below the absolute poverty line; most
get by on less than $2 per day. Two-thirds of the population lack formal
employment. 60% of Haiti’s GDP consists of remittances from former Haitians
living abroad. Only 10% of Haitians have electricity. Fewer than 30% of
Haitians reach 6th grade. Haiti is the poorest country in the
Western Hemisphere, and one of the five or ten poorest countries in the world.
Creole
is the primary language, and while most people consider themselves Christians,
most people also participate in Voodoo. The average temperature in April is 90
degrees.
While
this all sounds pretty daunting, I am told that the people are friendly and
have excellent senses of humor. I am looking forward to learning more!
*Community Health Initiatives
We
are travelling to Haiti with a group called Community Health Initiatives (CHI).
CHI is the brainchild of Dr. Chris Buresh, who is a Coralville resident and
Emergency Room physician at UIHC. Dr. Buresh first went to Haiti in 2003, and
founded CHI in 2009.
CHI provides services in Archaie and Les Anglais, which are far
away from Port Au Prince. Patients must walk up to eight hours just to reach
the clinics. CHI tries to provide peanut butter sandwiches at the clinics, as
most patients have not eaten.
A large percentage of the Haitian population suffers from
malnutrition; many children are underweight and have stunted growth and
development. Infant mortality is more than ten times that of the US. Life
expectancy is just over 50 years old. Infectious disease is rampant, including
HIV (6% of all Haitians are infected) and TB. Malaria and Dengue Fever are
everywhere. Many animals are rabid.
64% of the population lack latrines. Even with all these issues,
perhaps the biggest problem facing Haiti is the lack of clean drinking water.
98% of all water tested was positive for fecal coliform bacteria.
This
is the environment in which CHI does its’ work. It is a neat organization; I
urge you to visit the website at http://www.chihaiti.org and check it out.
Donations are always appreciated!
Even though she works as a Research Scientist, Melissa remains a
registered pharmacist. She’ll be working as a pharmacist while we are there.
I
have no medical skills. I have no idea in Hell what I’ll be doing! I guess
we’ll see! Please wish us luck!
*Agape Café Breakfast Fundraiser
The
Agape Café is holding a breakfast fundraiser Saturday, April 5 from 8-11am at
Old Brick. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries,
biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, and more!
A freewill donation is requested; $10 covers your meal plus some;
$20 purchases food for 15 café guests.
Please come out and support Iowa City’s café for our homeless and
in need neighbors!
*DID YOU KNOW?
A favorite Haitian saying is, “Pale franse pa di lespri.” That
translates into, “Speaking French doesn’t mean you’re smart.”
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
March 14, 2014
Sullivan’s
Salvos 3/18/14
In this edition:
*Tiffin City Hall
*Time To Legalize Marijuana!
*Did You Know?
*Tiffin City Hall
The City of Tiffin
will hold an Open House for the new City Hall located at 300 Railroad Street
from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18.
Everyone
is invited to tour the facility and speak with city staff and available council
members/Mayor during the open house event. The City of Tiffin is excited to
have this newly constructed building that has adequate staff workspace, is
available as a rentable community room for events to the public, and a
professional face for the City.
For
more information you can contact the City of Tiffin at (319) 545-2572.
*Time To Legalize Marijuana!
It
is time to legalize marijuana. This topic has gained traction over the past
year, as Colorado and Washington legalized recreational use. We have even been
talking about it here in Johnson County, which is quite a change!
First,
a disclaimer: I have never smoked pot. That may come as a surprise to folks who
have known me a long time, as in my younger days I never shied away from a
party. But the fact is, I have never used marijuana. I’ve been around it
plenty; I just never indulged. So I speak as a person who has seen the effects
of pot from up close, but never actually used the stuff personally.
I
also do not advocate anybody using mind-altering substances. If you choose not
to use them, you are undoubtedly better off. More power to you. At the same
time, I do not condemn folks who use responsibly. I feel that should be a
choice individuals have.
Even
my disclaimer demonstrates the change in societal attitudes. In 1992, Bill
Clinton felt the need to claim he “had never inhaled.” Since that time, people
in public life have felt more comfortable admitting to marijuana use. This
makes sense; studies show that between 35-45% of American adults have tried
marijuana.
I
should also be clear as to what I am discussing. I am fine with the
legalization of marijuana for medical use; I simply feel that is setting the
bar too low. Same goes for “decriminalization”; I see that as a good step, but
it does not go far enough. I believe strongly that hemp should be legalized, as
it has huge industrial, economic and environmental benefits. But what I am
really discussing here is making pot legal – period.
Yes,
there would be some restrictions. Children with developing brains don’t need
the stuff. You should not be able to drive if you are so high as to be
impaired. Current rules regarding smoking in public places should apply to
marijuana just as they do to tobacco. Producers, retailers, and products should
be regulated, licensed, inspected and taxed. So we are talking about a system
akin to the existing laws governing the production, sale, and use of alcohol.
People
in the world of business are supposed to run ideas through a cost/benefit
analysis. Many governments (including Johnson County) attempt to do the same.
The legalization of marijuana comes out very favorably when viewed in terms of
cost/benefit ratio.
It
can be argued that marijuana use negatively impacts many lives. There are
undoubtedly people who have underachieved because of an overuse of marijuana.
Is this a problem? Certainly.
But
weigh that versus the negative impacts on the lives of those who have been
busted. Whereas simply using the stuff might make you a bit less productive,
being caught tends to RUIN a person’s life!
Getting
busted can cost a person thousands of dollars upfront. But the REAL costs are
over the long haul. Having a criminal record dramatically impacts one’s ability
to find a good job and/or to get into a program of higher education. It breaks
families apart. It stays with them forever. Why? Why do we choose to be so
punitive in this case? Why do we choose to cost these people tens (or hundreds)
of thousands of dollars over the course of their lives?
In
addition, these laws unfairly target the poor, the young, and people of color.
There are many studies out there that show the percentage of teens and adults
who use marijuana is virtually identical regardless of race. Yet people of
color get busted at a rate EIGHT TIMES that of whites. Marijuana prohibition
has done a lot to destroy black families. These draconian laws have set African
Americans back generations.
The
ultimate cost, of course, is in human lives. While there is scant evidence that
marijuana use has directly cost many lives, we know that marijuana prohibition
has cost tens of thousands of lives. Again, I must ask – why?
That
is the personal cost, but there is also a huge societal cost. A group of over
500 top economists, including Milton Friedman, have estimated the cost of
marijuana prohibition at $20 billion annually. $20 BILLION! That means it costs
every man, woman, and child in the US $70 every year to maintain this
silliness. That total is over three times the total annual budget for the State
of Iowa. We’re talking real money here – money that could and should be put to
better use.
It
should be noted that these costs, at least in Johnson County, do NOT include
jailing. Contrary to popular belief, most inmates in the local jail are not
there on pot charges. I’ve worked with folks who review the jail log, and I’ve
never seen more than two people on any given day. (That does not mean there
have NEVER been more than two, but in reviewing a dozen days, I’ve never seen
it.) So just to be clear, legalizing marijuana would NOT obviate our jail
overcrowding. OK – back to my main point.
One
of the arguments against legalization goes like this: “Then why not legalize
every substance?” First, that is a red herring. Few folks are out there arguing
to legalize everything. The push to legalize pot is based on the cost/benefit
analysis. It is very favorable. Meth undoubtedly comes out much worse in a
similar review.
A better argument, in my opinion, is that of the slippery slope.
That reasoning claims that marijuana is a “gateway drug”, and its’ use will
lead people to harder drugs. There is a great deal of literature on this, and
there seem to be persuasive arguments on both sides. This is where I come back
once again to the idea of cost/benefit. We know that alcohol would fit the
definition of a “gateway drug”. But it is legal. Why? I think the US experience
with Prohibition proved that banning alcohol was a bad deal from a cost/benefit
analysis.
I’m tired of the timidity we see on this issue from our leaders.
We know the laws are stupid. We know they unnecessarily cost us lives and
money. There is no compelling reason to maintain the status quo. This is bad
public policy, plain and simple.
I called for Johnson County to add legalization of marijuana to
our State and Federal Legislative priorities this year. There were two votes
for it; I needed three. I’ll try again next year. Meanwhile, I urge you to make
this an issue with your elected officials at every level. The emperor has no
clothes… it is time we said so!
*DID YOU KNOW?
79% of the world’s hemp is grown in China.
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
March 7, 2014
Sullivan’s
Salvos 3/11/14
In this edition:
*Saint Patrick’s Day!
*Bob Sullivan
*Spring Break
*Spring Break Shout Out!
*Girl’s State Basketball
*Cost Of Living In Iowa
*Did You Know?
*Saint Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patty’s Day on March 17! St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite
days of the year. While not an “official” holiday, this day has long been
celebrated heartily by my Irish family.
The
tradition lives on… I almost always take St. Patrick’s Day off work. March 17
is a Monday this year, but I don’t see much on the calendar. J
Meanwhile,
I hope each and every one of you is touched by a little luck o’ the Irish!
*Bob Sullivan
March
17 holds a special place in my heart that goes beyond St. Patrick’s Day. That
was also the birthday of my late father, Bob Sullivan.
Dad
was a proud union man, Hawkeye fan, and Irishman. We were father and son, but
also best friends. I can honestly say he was probably the most fun person I
have ever known.
Unfortunately,
he left this world much too soon, and never got the chance to meet any of his
nine grandchildren. I miss him every single day, but especially on St. Patty’s
Day.
If
you knew my dad and you are reading this – send me an e-mail some time. I could
really use a little time swapping stories and reminiscing.
And,
if you are looking for an extra toast on St. Patrick’s Day, allow me to suggest
that you raise a glass to Bob Sullivan.
Happy
birthday, Dad.
*Spring Break
Spring
Break for the UI, Kirkwood, and most schools in Johnson County commences Saturday,
March 15 through Saturday, March 22. When you live in a place dominated by
education, Spring Break matters – even if you yourself get no break per se! I
hope everyone finds something to enjoy during that time!
*Spring Break Shout Out!
While
many young people will be on a beach somewhere, my son BJ will be joining a
Rotary Club mission trip to Xicotepec, Mexico. I’m tremendously proud of BJ; he
decided he wanted to make this trip, and he is paying his own way. (Which is
substantial!) BJ has a big heart, and I am awfully proud of him.
*Girl’s State Basketball
Congrats
to the City High Girl’s Basketball Team on a great season, culminating in a
loss in the State semifinals.
I am a huge sports fan, but I try not to focus on that in Salvos.
(I figure you have many other outlets for sports opinions.) I make a bit of an
exception for City High Girl’s Basketball, as it has been a big part of my
family’s life over the past decade.
Our family has been extremely fortunate when it comes to girl’s
basketball. City High won a State championship in 2008 when my oldest daughter,
Rachel, was on the sophomore team. My daughter Jordan was privileged to play on
outstanding teams, and helped her team to the State Tournament in 2012, her
Senior year. Now our foster daughter Loshika has had the opportunity to be a
part of a team that went 24-1 and was ranked #1 most of the year. It has been
quite a run!
The
success on the court has been remarkable. But I’d like to give a shout out to
Coach Bill McTaggart. Bill is a great guy, plain and simple. He does things the
right way, and he sincerely cares about the kids. Sports really are about more
than wins and losses. We are so lucky to have had our lives touched by this
fine man!
*Cost Of Living In Iowa
Even at the state's median wage, many
families in Iowa cannot make ends meet. The latest “Cost of Living in Iowa”
report from the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project (IPP) illustrates costs of a
basic-needs, no-frills family budget.
The report found substantial increases
in costs over the last few years in housing, food, transportation and
childcare. “We often hear about low-income families in the context of the
official poverty level, but you would need to make nearly three times that
level in some cases just to make ends meet,” said Peter Fisher, research
director of IPP and lead author of the report. “That is why public work
supports, such as child care, food and energy assistance, as well as the Earned
Income Tax Credit and health care subsidies, are so important to low-income
families,” said co-author Lily French, senior policy consultant for IPP.
At the state's median wage — $15.33 in
2012 — many family types on average would need to make substantially more in a
full-time job:
— $25.04 per hour for one worker in a two-parent family with two
children;
— $20.11 per hour for one worker in a two-parent family with one
child;
— $28.11 per hour for a single parent with two children; and
— $20.87
per hour for a single parent with one child.
“These figures put some real context
into the political debate we hear about whether to raise the minimum wage from
$7.25 per hour,” Fisher said. “Even at $10.10 per hour, families will need
significant supports to stay afloat.”
The report is the opening installment
of the fourth edition of “The Cost of Living in Iowa.” It is available on the
IPP website, www.iowapolicyproject.org. The
report includes complete information on basic-needs family budgets for all
family types and geographic areas in the state, with tables providing
county-by-county information.
“Cost differences from county to county
can be dramatic,” French noted. “Monthly child care expenses for two children
ranged from $562 to $998. Average costs of health care ranged from $575 to $739
per month, and rent varied from $721 to $1,254. “In the highest cost county, a
total basic needs budget for a family with two children was $9,000 higher than
the lowest-cost county,” she added.
Subsequent installments of the 2014
report will focus more closely on work supports and how they affect basic
family budgets in various regions of Iowa. A preliminary version of this part
of the analysis, illustrating "cliff effects" in the Child Care
Assistance program, was released in December and is available on the IPP
website here: http://www.iowafiscal.org/like-falling-off-a-cliff/.
The Iowa Policy Project is a
nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research organization based in Iowa City.
Reports are at www.iowapolicyproject.org.
*DID YOU KNOW?
There are 34 million Americans with at least some Irish ancestry; 10
times the number of people in Ireland itself.
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
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