Rod Sullivan, Supervisor, Johnson County, Iowa

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SULLIVAN'S SALVOS

July 25, 2014

Sullivan’s Salvos     7/29/14




In this edition:


*Happy Anniversary, Melissa!
*Community Health Initiatives (Haiti)
*Swisher Fun Days
*TIF For The Chauncey
*Homeless Children’s Trust
*Did You Know?




*Happy Anniversary, Melissa!
         August 1st is a very important day in my life – it marks the anniversary of my marriage to Dr. Melissa Fath.

         Life is full of ups and downs. It can be a rough ride. I cannot imagine what it would be like without such a beautiful, smart, tough, funny, loving and committed partner.

I could blather on here, but I’ll cut to the chase: I am a VERY lucky man! Happy anniversary, Honey. I love you!




*Community Health Initiatives (Haiti)
As many of you know, Melissa and I went to Haiti in April with a group called Community Health Initiatives (CHI). The work this group is doing is beyond description here. So we want to continue to help.

With that in mind, we would like to invite you all to this fundraiser. It just so happens that it is our anniversary the day before, so we would love to spend the night with old friends and CHI friends, all helping a great cause!

We'd be honored if you would join us! Details are below; you can buy tickets at www.chihaiti.org. Feel free to call Melissa or I with questions.

Saturday, August 2nd 6:00-10:00P (Dinner served at 6:30P)
2nd Floor Hotel Vetro.

Dinner, live music, silent auction and cash bar. $50 investment per ticket ($20 is tax deductible). Open to the public. Formal attire suggested.




*Swisher Fun Days
         Fun Days in Swisher runs Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd. If you have never visited Johnson County’s northwest corner, give it a try!

I have been attending Fun Days since the late ’80s, and this looks like the most full schedule of events they have ever had!

See for yourself at: http://www.swisheria.org/20140620140950684.pdf




*TIF For The Chauncey
How much "public good" does $15,000,000 buy? Apparently not what it used to!

In case you have not heard, Iowa City is voting on a $15,000,000 Tax Increment Financing project (TIF) for Marc Moen, developer of The Chauncey. The Chauncey is the 15-story tower proposed for the old John Wilson Sports lot at the corner of College and Gilbert Streets.

As you might guess, I am opposed to this TIF. I know what you are thinking… he’s opposed to ALL TIFs! Not true. Let me be clear - I'm not opposed to TIF in every case. I simply believe the public needs to reap very clear and significant benefits from any TIF project. I think the bar has been set SO low when it comes to "public benefit" as to not even matter.

$15,000,000 could go a long way toward solving our affordable housing problem. It could re-do 15 miles worth of city streets. It could buy all the city's police vehicles for about 50 years, or all the fire vehicles for 40. It would cover the whole Park and Rec budget for several years. Want tax base? For $15 million, the city could buy a small industrial operation and move it to the industrial park. Or, if you simply prefer lower taxes - well, $15,000,000 goes a long way.

So can someone please explain to me the $15,000,000 worth of "public good" we are supposed to receive from The Chauncey?

I have heard people argue that Iowa City needs greater density in our urban core. I agree. Building up rather than out makes sense. But at what cost? I don't think it is worth what we are paying.
        
I have also heard people argue that he couldn’t make the financing work for a 15-story building without TIF. OK. That leads to two follow-ups from me:

First, so what? Build a ten-story building, then. Be it a business or home, the rest of the world builds what they can afford. (Or they SHOULD, anyway!)

Secondly, think about this loan. Hills, Midwest One, UICCU... they won't make the loan on the prescribed terms. So why should IC? In purely financial terms - what is the payback on this $15 million dollar loan? Where is the public benefit?

Understand - I'm not critical of Mr. Moen. His job is to do the best he can for himself. My criticism is directed at the Iowa City Council. It is their job to protect and promote the public interest. This deal fails MISERABLY when viewed through that lens.

There are many, many good developers and builders who wanted that site. Given that, why is this costing the city ANYTHING? Why not hold out and get a better deal?

         Unfortunately, this Iowa City Council has routinely chosen to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us. This vote will go the same way – guaranteed.

         Is there anything you can do? Yes. You can recruit good candidates for City Council, support their campaigns, and turn out the vote. Otherwise, don’t expect anything to change.

         People raved about the turnout in the past City election. HA! While the numbers were bigger than normal, turnout was 22%. That is pathetic! One out of every 5 registered voters actually voted. We simply MUST do better, or we will continue to get the same results.




*Homeless Children’s Trust
The Back to School Collection Drive was a great success last year and we were able to provide backpacks of school supplies as well as socks and underwear for 114 needy youngsters in the Johnson County area.

This year the drive will start on Monday July 21 and run through August 11. The Homeless Children's Trust is a part of HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program) and is funded completely by private donations and staffed by volunteers from the community. HACAP provides Head Start classrooms for 260 children, 52 transitional housing units, LiHeap service (heating assistance), employment counseling and other programs in Johnson County. Any donations received in Johnson County are used to help families in Johnson County.

Counselors from HACAP, The Domestic Violence Intervention Program, MECCA and the Shelter House will designate the children receiving backpacks. We should also have enough supplies left over to make up additional backpacks for these groups to have on hand for new arrivals.

This year we will pack the backpacks on Wednesday, August 13 at 1:00pm at The HACAP Family Resource Center at 367 Southgate.

If you are interested in donating, make checks out to the Homeless Children's Trust and mail to the address above. Any questions call Mary Larew at 337-2264 or 338-1212.




*DID YOU KNOW?  212 of the 250 poorest counties in the US are rural. (Source: National Association of Counties.)



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






July 18, 2014

Sullivan’s Salvos     7/22/14




In this edition:


*Johnson County Fair
*Community Health Initiatives (Haiti)
*ADA Celebration
*Sixth Judicial – By The Numbers
*Lessons From Little Rock
*Best. Headline. Ever.
*Did You Know?




*Johnson County Fair
         The Johnson County Fair runs from Monday, July 21 through Thursday, July 24. This is a great opportunity for the whole family to take a step back toward our agricultural roots!

         I love the way the Johnson County Ag Association manages the County Fair. I am particularly fond of the fact that there is never an entry fee, and parking is free. In many counties, you would pay $10 to park and $5/head admission, if not more. That is $30 minimum for a family of four before you have even done anything!

         The Board of Supervisors started a “tradition” three years ago of holding our weekly Thursday meeting on the main stage at the Fair. While we have yet to draw a big crowd, it has been a fun change of pace.

Yes, it is typically hot out there. But that is why they sell ice cream! So, please stop out and enjoy the Fair. You’ll be glad you did!

For the full daily lineup of events, see: http://www.johnsoncofair.com/entertainment.html




*Community Health Initiatives (Haiti)
As many of you know, Melissa and I went to Haiti in April with a group called Community Health Initiatives (CHI). The work this group is doing is beyond description here. So we want to continue to help.

With that in mind, we would like to invite you all to this fundraiser. It just so happens that it is our anniversary the day before, so we would love to spend the night with old friends and CHI friends, all helping a great cause!

We'd be honored if you would join us! Details are below; you can buy tickets at www.chihaiti.org. Feel free to call Melissa or I with questions.

Saturday, August 2nd 6:00-10:00P (Dinner served at 6:30P)
2nd Floor Hotel Vetro.

Dinner, live music, silent auction and cash bar. $50 investment per ticket ($20 is tax deductible). Open to the public. Formal attire suggested




*ADA Celebration
         Johnson County is hosting its’ 24th Annual ADA Celebration on Saturday, July 26th from 11am-2pm on the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City. A special keynote address will feature Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, the author of the Act. The festival will also feature art, games, and a variety of performances.

         ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, and you see the impact of this law everywhere you turn. Whereas public buildings used to be off limits to people with mobility issues, public places are now largely accessible.

         It is interesting - President George Herbert Walker Bush considered the 1990 signing of the ADA as one of his greatest achievements. But in early 2013 the Senate failed to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, an international treaty that would have urged other countries to adopt similar laws. Obviously, much has changed in the GOP since 1990.

The ADA has been an incredible piece of civil rights legislation! Please join in the celebration!




*Sixth Judicial – By The Numbers
         I serve on the Board of Directors for the Sixth Judicial District. The Sixth provides probation, parole, work release, batterer’s education, victim services, and other services for Tama, Benton, Iowa, Linn, Johnson, and Jones Counties. The Board consists of one Supervisor from each county, plus law enforcement and judicial appointees.

         The Sixth Judicial District is a big operation, with offices in each county. In Johnson County, there are offices at the John Stratton Center in Coralville; Broadway Neighborhood Center; Kirkwood Avenue; and the Hope House in Coralville. District wide, there are just under 300 employees.

         Services are state funded, and employees receive checks from the State. They are covered by the State AFSCME contract. Yet debate remains as to whether they are State employees or not. The Sixth (and other Districts) are viewed as “semiautonomous”, which leads to many questions.

         Over time, the Sixth Judicial gained a reputation as a leader in innovative programming. The District has won numerous national awards for excellence – most recently Johnson County’s own Valerie Kemp being named the National Probation/Parole Officer of the Year.

I thought readers might find the following statistics interesting. These are “point in time” from late June of this year, so they are unlikely to be exactly the same now. That said, most of these figures are pretty average for each category:

         Johnson County has 67 parolees, 94 people on pretrial release, 372 people on probation, and 40 sex offenders. There were also 56 people living at the Hope House in Coralville.

         Have more questions about the Sixth Judicial District? Let me know!




*Lessons From Little Rock
My family and I just returned from a conference (and some vacation time) in the deep south. One of our stops was Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. If you have never been there, go! The National Park Service has done a great job.

The events of 1954 were the closest the US has been to civil war since the Civil War. That time was critical in the history of our nation, and the museum captured it. It was an intensely moving experience.

Little Rock Central is still in operation, and is widely viewed as the top high school in Arkansas. The student body is now 48% white, 48% black, 2% Latino, and 2% Asian.


As I wept my way through the exhibits, my mind kept returning to our current situation in the ICCSD. Our issues are so small compared to what they faced. When challenged, folks in Little Rock chose the hard road and did the right thing. Do we have it within us to do the same?




*Best. Headline. Ever.
         I have served as a County Supervisor for ten years, but this is the first time something like this has EVER been written: http://thegazette.com/subject/opinion/blogs/lynda-waddington/sullivan-botchway-got-it-right-20140705

         While the headline made me smile, the issue at hand is quite unfortunate. Far too many people in our community are food insecure. And if we wish to actually address the issue, we must begin by ending our demonization of those who access SNAP (Food Stamps) and other public benefits.

         Thanks to Johnson County’s food panties for holding this important event!




*DID YOU KNOW?  From Wikipedia: Many members of the business community opposed the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Testifying before Congress, The US Chamber of Commerce argued that the costs of the ADA would be "enormous" and have "a disastrous impact on many small businesses struggling to survive." The National Federation of Independent Businesses, an organization that lobbies for small businesses, called the ADA "a disaster for small business." Pro-business conservative commentators joined in opposition, writing that the Americans with Disabilities Act was "an expensive headache to millions" that would not necessarily improve the lives of people with disabilities.




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





July 5, 2014

Sullivan’s Salvos     7/8/14




In this edition:


*No Salvos Next Week!
*Financial Counseling Available
*Democratic Processes Matter!
*Rights of Business Owners
*Did You Know?




*No Salvos Next Week!
         There will be no Salvos next week, as I will be attending the National Association of Counties (NACO) Conference. Enjoy your break! Please have some stimulating conversations without me!




*Financial Counseling Available
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce a new partnership which brings affordable financial literacy to families in need in Johnson County.

“Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is proud to begin hosting staff from Horizons, a HUD approved non-profit counseling agency, at our offices so that those needing unbiased financial counseling can more easily meet. We believe Horizons will enable families to take charge of their finances so they and their children can escape the vicious cycle of unending debt and falling credit scores,” said Mark Patton, Executive Director of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Horizons, A Family Service Alliance, has been providing financial and housing counseling services in Linn, Johnson and the surrounding counties for more than 30 years. The Iowa City office will offer budget and credit counseling, debt management, housing counseling, foreclosure counseling and consumer education.

Hours available for appointments in Iowa City are Tuesdays 1-5, and Thursdays and Fridays 8AM – Noon. Appointments may be scheduled by calling 800-826-3574. Fees for services are based on income and family size, and will be provided regardless of the client’s ability to pay. For additional information, call Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity at 319.337.8949




*Democratic Processes Matter!
         Quick – what is the most influential group in Johnson County? The Iowa City Council? Coralville Council? Chamber of Commerce? ICAD? Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong.

There is a group that meets monthly that is much more influential. It consists of the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, the President and CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the President and CEO of the Iowa City Area Development Group, The President and CEO of the Iowa City Downtown District, the City Managers of Iowa City and North Liberty, and the City Administrator of Coralville. (Johnson County’s Executive Assistant may or may not participate; I’m not certain.)

This group meets monthly to “set the agenda” for our region, despite the fact that no one in the group is elected to any office.

The group voiced support for the war on the poor in downtown Iowa City. They wrote a letter to the ICCSD Board encouraging the closure of Hills Elementary. Now they have written a letter to the Board of Regents. (Some members abstained from some letters.)

I am very much opposed to two of these initiatives, and very much in favor of the other. But that is not the issue. Regardless of how any of us feel about any of these issues, I have some serious problems with this process.

         The Downtown District has a Board. It does not receive public funds (SMID money is not public). The Chamber has a Board. It does not receive public funds outside of public sector memberships. The CVB has a Board. It receives lots of public tax dollars. (I used to serve on both the Chamber and CVB Boards.) ICAD has a Board. It receives lots of public tax dollars. (I currently serve on it.) The cities have democratically elected councils. Obviously, they operate on tax dollars.

         So many of the people sitting around this table are in jobs that are largely taxpayer funded. Now consider for a moment how taxpayer funded groups are supposed to operate:

         Meetings are open to the public. Meetings are noticed. Agendas are posted. Minutes are kept and made public. Votes are recorded and made public. Typically public comment is allowed. None of those things occur in this case. Yet it is public business being discussed.

         I strongly support every individual’s right to speak out on any issue she/he chooses. Free speech should not depend upon one’s job. If each of these people independently wrote letters? That would be a very good thing. They are smart people; personally, I care what they think.

         But in this case, the respective Boards of Directors should warn the participants about using their titles. Feel free to write a letter as Joe Smith. But sign a letter as Joe Smith, President and CEO of X organization? I feel that the authorization to sign such a letter should come from the Board of Directors for whom the person works. (I know some of the folks I have mentioned will be certain to operate in exactly that fashion; others may not.)

         Another concern: who at the table speaks for the least among us? The business community is well represented; about half the people work in that realm. But does that really reflect who we are as a community? Half the households in Johnson County earn less than $54,000 per year. HALF. Who comes to this table with that half our population foremost in mind?

         Don’t get me wrong; there are some DARN good people sitting around this table. Given the opportunity, I’d hire any of them in a second. Many of them I consider friends. Having them meet and discuss issues is not a bad thing.

My problems stem from the fact that this is why we elect people, and it is why we require those elected folks to follow all sorts of laws. We should never get too hung up on process, but we shouldn’t ignore it, either.

To a great degree, this group is filling a vacuum. Our elected officials meet, but refuse to discuss anything of substance. If an important issue does get mentioned, folks are quick to table it or send it back to staff, lest they be forced to actually address something important in public. So I’m sure this group, hungry to tackle issues, is simply doing what they see fit.

But this work NEEDS to be done in full public view. Just because city councils refuse to tackle tough issues in public does not mean we should change the rules. I say keep the group, but stop the letters. We need more transparency from public groups, not less.




*Rights of Business Owners
I wrote recently about individual versus collective rights. That leads me to an interesting discussion that has become a hot topic of late: what are the rights of business owners versus the rights of their customers?

Can a business owner refuse service to a person because they are gay? Can a business owner refuse service to a person because they are black? Because they are drunk? Because they are smoking? Because they are carrying a gun?

There is a very good chance the Supreme Court of the United States will revisit these issues. And there is a very good chance you will not like what they decide.

         As I said last week, I am generally a fan of individual rights. But that is contingent upon the exercise of those rights not causing others harm. Back in the 1800s a philosopher named John Finch said, “Your right to swing your arm ends at my nose.” I have always embraced a similar view.

         So, whose rights reign supreme here? The merchant or the customer?

         Envision a situation where a woman owns a flower shop. Most of us would agree that it should be illegal for her to refuse to serve blacks. Does it matter if there is a “separate but equal” flower shop across town? What if the other shop is more expensive, or lacks selection? What if it is ten miles away?

         Previous Supreme Courts have ruled that the creation of “separate but equal” facilities is illegal when it comes to race. The current SCOTUS may disagree.

         So what if the same florist wants to refuse services to gays? By my way of thinking, this should be illegal, just as it is illegal to refuse service to blacks.

         Some merchant versus customer dilemmas seem easy; others are more difficult. In keeping with my Finch theory, a merchant should be able to prohibit smoking – that affects other people. It seems reasonable that a merchant could refuse service to someone who is drunk on the grounds of liability. It seems to be generally accepted that merchants can ban unaccompanied minors; is this right, though?

         What about breastfeeding? Can a merchant require a breastfeeding woman to leave? Can a merchant refuse service to someone because of how they are dressed? Can they forbid you because of a hat? Baggy pants? A tattoo? Where do we draw the line?

         What about firearms? The SCOTUS has ruled that individuals have a right to carry; does that right trump a merchant’s right to ban firearms in her place of business?

         How about union shops? Should a business owner be able to decide that his employees will work with a specific union? Can an employer only hire fellow Muslims? Only fellow men?

         Does it matter if the business is privately held or publicly traded? What about nonprofits? Governments?

         The discussions are interesting, and the answers are not necessarily cut and dried.




*DID YOU KNOW?  The National President of NACO is Linn County, Iowa Supervisor Linda Langston.



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