SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 29, 2014
Sullivan’s
Salvos 6/3/14
In this edition:
*Election Day!
*Pride Proclamation Drama
*Arts Fest
*Local Government Class
*Affordable Housing
*Farmer’s Markets
*Correction
*Did You Know?
*Election Day!
Tuesday,
June 3rd is Election Day in Johnson County! I hope you will get out
and vote!
If
you are a Republican, you have primaries for US Senate, US House, Governor, and
State Senate District 39 (western Johnson County). Those are some very
important decisions! It is quite rare to have all those items on a single
primary ballot!
If
you are a Democrat, there is the same State Senate District 39 race, plus House
District 73 (Solon area) and high profile races for County Attorney and County
Supervisor.
If
you are not a member of either party, you have two choices: register as one
party or the other and vote, or wait until November. That is a decision you
have to make.
Whatever
your political leanings, I hope you will participate in the electoral process.
To find out where you vote, contact the Johnson County Auditor’s Office at
356-6004.
*Pride Proclamation Drama
The
Board of Supervisors often passes proclamations. You have probably seen it – we
honor National Adoption Month or Bike to Work Week. The Board Chair reads a
proclamation, presents it to a citizen or group of citizens, and they get a
couple minutes to talk about their cause. Good clean fun, right?
These
aren’t usually controversial; I can only recall one “no” vote on a proclamation
until very recently. But since the election of Supervisor John Etheredge,
proclamations have become controversial.
This
was the case once again at our May 29th meeting, when Supervisor Etheredge
voted against a proclamation honoring June as Pride Month in Johnson County.
(The measure passed 4-1.) John stated that this was not because of the “Pride”,
but because of the “Month” – he felt a month was too long.
Where
to begin? First, I don’t really understand how it being “too long”
matters. It is not as though the County puts more resources into declaring
Pride Month than we would Pride Day. The whole thing is 15 minutes of work,
either way. This argument seems like a red herring to me.
Secondly,
John has voted FOR month long recognitions previously: National Adoption Month
and County Government Month, just to name two. Where was this concern then? There
is simply no way to view this as anything other than hypocrisy.
The
person who came to accept the proclamation on behalf of the Pride Committee was
a trooper. (I did not get permission to use her name, so I’m leaving her
anonymous for the purpose of this story.) She told John that she respected his
right to hold his opinion. Then she teared up, recalling some of the times in
her past when she was bullied.
It
was so sad. This was to be a celebration of Johnson County as a place open to
diversity. It was an opportunity to thank the Pride Committee for all their
work; more importantly, it was an opportunity to tell a big group of our
citizens that we love them and care about them. Instead, we made the recipient
of the proclamation feel lousy – on a day we were supposed to make her feel
good. It was the governmental equivalent of bullying.
I
like Supervisor Etheredge. He has always been kind to me. I consider him a
friend. But this was a crappy move. Johnson County is better than this.
*Arts Fest
One
of the best things about living in Johnson County is the Summer of the Arts
(SOTA). This organization brings SO much life to our cities – I really
appreciate the folks who run this organization!
SOTA
kicks off the summer season with the Iowa Arts Festival, June 6-8 in downtown
Iowa City. I hope you can make it to this and other SOTA events.
For more info, visit: http://www.summerofthearts.org/festival-menu/arts-festival/about.aspx
*Local Government Class
I
recently had the honor of joining City High teacher Carrie Watson for a couple
of sections of her State and Local Government class.
Iowa
City Councilor Kingsley Botchway and I were peppered by questions from the
kids, and we had some great discussions.
I
simply love doing this type of thing! Thanks to Ms. Watson for allowing us to
join her class!
*Affordable Housing
The
City High students asked a very important question – “What is the biggest issue
you face in Iowa City and Johnson County?”
Kingsley
and I both agreed that the biggest issue is affordable housing. It is pretty
much impossible to make it in Johnson County on $8 per hour; even at $20/hour,
a person is one mishap away from losing everything. We have a crisis, and it is
getting worse.
“What is the biggest issue you face in Iowa City and Johnson
County?” It is a simple question. Yet elected bodies rarely ask it of
themselves! Isn’t it ironic? The kids get it, but we do not. If it is your
biggest issue, shouldn’t you be doing more to address it?
*Farmer’s Markets
The
Farmer’s Market season has begun. I have probably said it before, but I’ll say
it again – I am an avid fan of farmer’s markets!
I
urge you to go to your local market. Hang out. Buy some veggies, but buy a
treat, too. Talk to the farmers. Listen to music. It is absolutely wonderful!
*Correction
I
have great respect for Jim Throgmorton, and I consider him a friend. I also
know that he is frustrated in his role as a member of the Iowa City Council.
Jim
contacted me about last week’s edition of Salvos, and requested that I clear
something up. He wrote:
“Might you be willing to
submit a clarification to your statement that, "The City of Iowa City
recently sent a letter to the ICCSD Board requesting that the ICCSD consider “walkability”
as part of their criteria for redistricting."
"The
City" did not send a letter requesting the School Board to insert a "walkability
clause" into the Diversity Policy. The idea of sending a letter came out
of an informal meeting of the P&Z Commission and a memo submitted to the
Council by the Chair of the commission. There was some misunderstanding about
what was agreed during that meeting. While one might legitimately disagree with
the IC City Council's actions concerning affordable housing, the Council
explicitly decided not, not, to prescribe what the ICCSD should do.”
Notice
how we are back to the issue of affordable housing policy? It is important,
folks! Thanks for the clarification, Jim. More importantly, thanks for all your
good work!
*DID YOU KNOW?
Democratic Primaries for the office of County Attorney used to be rare
occurrences. Incumbent Janet Lyness has been part of two – this year, and when
she first ran for office in 2006. Before that, the last contested Democratic
Party County Attorney Primary was 1978.
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
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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 @ 3:49 PM
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