SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
September 5, 2014
Sullivan’s
Salvos 9/9/14
In this edition:
*RIP John Hayek
*Thanks, Sandy!
*Rock On, Ross!
*Good Luck Gregg!
*Opinion Piece
*Hawkeye Challenge
*Hawkeyes Vs. Mocking Jays
*Did You Know?
*RIP John Hayek
Iowa
City lost a treasure with the passing of local attorney John Hayek. I had the
pleasure of working with John on a few projects, and he was really a gem. John
was brilliant, kind, generous, and a real gentleman. My condolences to his
family and friends.
*Thanks, Sandy!
Congratulations
to Sandy Pickup on her retirement from the Crisis Center. Sandy has served the
neediest folks in our community for many years now – first at the Free Medical
Center, and recently at the Crisis Center. I have long admired this pillar of
our community.
Sandy
is an easy person to like. Unfortunately, due to her selflessness, she is also
an easy person to take for granted. So please take a moment to thank Sandy for
her years of service.
Congrats
and good luck, Sandy!
*Rock On, Ross!
Former
ICCSD Equity Director, Crisis Center Director, and Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn
is leaving Iowa City for a job with the Iowa State Extension in Ames.
This
is a huge loss to our community. There were many times over the years where I
disagreed with Ross. I often wanted him to be bolder and exert greater
leadership.
But
that is not who Ross is. Ross is thoughtful, deliberative, and careful. He is
also one of the most genuine, kind, decent, and honest people we have ever
elected. I am sad to see him go on a personal level, but I’m also sad
politically. I really thought Ross would make a great State Representative some
day.
Good
luck, Ross. Stay true to the black and gold!
*Good Luck Gregg!
I
am often critical of the local press. That criticism is deserved, but not by
everyone in every organization. The reporters I know are all overworked, underpaid,
do not get the column inches they need, and are not given the resources they
deserve.
Gregg
Hennigan from the Gazette is as good as any reporter with whom I have had the
privilege of working. Unfortunately, Gregg is leaving journalism for the PR field.
Thanks,
Gregg, and good luck. You will be missed!
*Opinion Piece
You
may have read the opinion piece in the Press Citizen dated Saturday, August 30.
In it, Mayor Matt Hayek and Councilor Susan Mims made several interesting
points. I agreed with a couple; I strongly disagreed with others.
But
you will never hear a conversation on these (or any other) issues. Because they
refuse to meet with the Board of Supervisors.
Since
we cannot discuss anything in public, I’ll make two points here: First, the
title of the article is, “Iowa City Leaders Welcome Fact Based Discussion.”
Ummm… no, they do not.
Want
a fact-based discussion? Allow the public to speak at a work session. Televise
said work session. Take feedback from someone other than City staff. Hire an
economist to decide these “facts”. Meet with another elected body. Do almost
everything different than the way you currently do it.
Where
was the fact-based discussion on the last TIF? The Council ignored a petition
signed by over 2000 citizens in that case.
Come
on. You don’t REALLY want a fact-based discussion. There is simply no evidence
for that statement.
Secondly, in the piece, they say, “the City
Council’s commitment to affordable housing should be apparent from the ballot
language for the proposed Local Option Sales Tax.”
That
language fails to make anything “apparent”. Here are the facts – affordable housing
is the number one problem facing Iowa City. It has hit crisis proportions.
EVERY Councilor save one promised to improve the situation as a candidate. That
is 6 votes, minimum.
NONE
of these Councilors, when asked directly, said, “I’ll increase affordable
housing in Iowa City, but only if the LOST passes.” They simply promised to do
it. And they should. And they don’t need a new tax to do it. They can simply
require developers to do it. But they and other Councils have lacked the
necessary political courage for over 30 years.
I
am not impressed by putting this item on the ballot. I’ll be impressed when
they follow through.
*Hawkeye Challenge
Johnson
County is preparing for year 2 of our Hawkeye Challenge on Friday, September
12… the day before the Iowa-ISU football game.
The
Hawkeye Challenge started last year as good-natured ribbing between Treasurer
Tom Kriz and Auditor Travis Weipert. Each claimed to be a bigger Hawkeye fan
than the other.
Soon
this became which of their offices had more Hawkeye Pride. Then it spread
countywide. So we held a competition between all the different departments.
This
was fun! From entering the Sheriff’s Office to the strains of “Back In Black”,
to tailgating food at the Treasurer’s Office, to playing games at Social
Services, employees took it to heart and made it really fun. Every office was
decorated black and gold.
The
event was really perfect… the public still got served in a timely fashion, and most
of them had a great deal of fun with it. I’m really glad Tom and Travis got
this started!
The
only complaints we got were from the minority of the staff that roots for Iowa
State. So this year, those folks can show their colors, too.
If
you get a chance, stop by the County offices on Friday the 12th, and
judge the winners for yourself!
*Hawkeyes Vs. Mocking Jays
I
really enjoy the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. In her dystopian
world, there is a wealthy Capital City, surrounded by twelve “Districts” in
various states of poverty.
As
regular readers know, I am also a big fan of Hawkeye sports. As usual, I
attended the Hawkeye’s opening game against UNI.
And
that is where it hit me. The gleaming Press Box at Kinnick. Down below, disheveled
looking people picking up cans. The Press Box is the Capital City. They are
afforded all sorts of rights and privileges that others are denied. Rules are
different for them. Meanwhile, folks out in the Districts struggle. Their focus
on their situation is diverted by “The Games” – in our case, Hawkeye sports.
Attendance
is down at Hawkeye games. People feel as though they are overcharged,
over-policed, and just generally treated badly. They are tired of it, and ready
for a change.
Could a revolution be coming? I dunno. I doubt it. But if so, I
hope it hits our whole society and not just Hawkeye athletics.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
*DID YOU KNOW?
Mocking Jay Part One hits theaters November 21st!
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 11:44 AM
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