SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
September 11, 2015
Sullivan’s
Salvos 9/15/15
In this edition:
*Final Call For Apples
*Wilson’s Orchard
*Minimum Wage Ordinance
*School Board Changes
*New School Board Members
*Field To Family Festival
*Medicaid Managed Care Event
*Did You Know?
*Final Call For Apples
We once again have a bumper crop of apples! Anyone who is
interested can email me and arrange a time to come over and pick your own.
*Wilson’s Orchard
While
I’d love to have you stop by and grab some of my apples, I’d also like to
encourage you to visit my friend Paul Rasch at Wilson’s Orchard. Paul is a
great guy doing great things with a great place!
Located
just a few miles north of Iowa City, just off Highway 1, Wilson’s Orchard has
been around a long time. If you have never been there, go! There are 120 types
of apples, but much, much more. It really is a local treasure, and people of
all ages should visit! It is particularly a “must-do” for the kids and
grandkids!
*Minimum Wage Ordinance
The
Minimum Wage Ordinance passed its final reading on Thursday, September 10th.
I am extremely proud of Johnson County for doing this!
The first $.95 increase goes into effect 11-1-15. But remember –
cities can vote to lower the wage within their boundaries. Some cities already appear
ready to vote for a lower wage for their citizens.
DO NOT allow that to occur! Organize! Let the members of your City
Council know that it is unacceptable for them to cut the wages of our hard
working sisters and brothers!
City Council elections are 11-3-15. Ask the candidates where they
stand on the minimum wage issue. Then vote for candidates who support this
effort.
*School Board Changes
Unlike
most elected positions, school board members take office right away. With that
in mind, it is time to say goodbye to the current crop.
I
want to mention two Board members specifically: First, Orville Townsend. I have
known Speedy for about 30 years now, and I was glad to see Orville step up and
fill out the unexpired term of Sally Hoelscher. The situation on the ICCSD was
close to reaching a crisis when Orville was appointed. The junior-high-style
bullying was out of control. When emergencies arise, good people need to step
up, and Orville did just that.
I
also appreciate the service of Jeff McGinness. While Jeff ran into unfortunate
legal issues of his own making, I felt his service on the Board was exemplary. We
disagree on some things, and agree on others. Jeff has never been particularly
supportive of me, so it is not as though I owe him any favors. But while many
Board members sit silently and roll their eyes at the public, Jeff has actively
engaged. He has spent more time explaining things on Facebook and email than
any Board member in our history. You may not agree with him, but he has been extremely
willing to facilitate public discussion of ICCSD issues, which is a very good
thing.
Good
luck to all the folks leaving all the school boards in Johnson County, and
thank you all for your service!
*New School Board Members
Congratulations
to our new school board members in the ICCSD, Clear Creek Amana, Solon, and
Lone Tree districts. You decided to take on a challenging task – good luck!
And for those than ran but did not win – thank you! We need
candidates for office; otherwise issues are not discussed.
*Field To Family Festival
For
more details on these and other events, see: fieldtofamily.org.
Local
Food Fair: 5-7 PM on September 16 at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market.
Culinary
Walk: 5:30-8:30 PM on September 17. Tickets range from $15 to $30 and are
available at New Pi.
Farmer’s
Market Kids’ Day: 9-noon on September 19 at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market.
Share
the Harvest Dinner: 5:30-8:30 PM September 20 at the Sheraton Iowa City. Cost
$50.
*Medicaid Managed Care Event
You
recall that I wrote recently about my grave concerns over Governor Branstad’s
decision to implement Medicaid Managed Care in Iowa. I believe this decision
will adversely affect our poorest citizens for decades to come.
I
really believe our only hope is that the Feds reject Iowa’s plan. Problem is,
they have allowed other states to go down this ridiculous path.
On
September 21st, the Johnson County Task Force on Aging has planned public
meetings – “Managed Care – What Now?” All four Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
that have been selected to serve Iowans will be in attendance.
Two
sessions are planned for Monday, September 21st: one from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
focusing on providers, and one from 4:00 – 6:00 PM focusing on consumers. Both
sessions will be held at the Coralville Public Library and will be open to all.
Mikkie
Stier, Iowa Medicaid Director, will open both sessions with a brief
introduction to Iowa Medicaid Modernization – Managed Care. She will cover
items such as why Iowa decided to move in this direction, why the organizations
represented were selected, and what providers and consumers can expect. Each of
the selected MCO’s will have the opportunity to introduce their organization
and their philosophy. A question and answer period will follow.
Organizers
are asking that you to provide your questions in advance. Please limit your
questions to two and e-mail them to: welshbob@aol.com. In the subject line state: Managed Care Questions.
*DID YOU KNOW?
The Social Security Amendments of 1965 created Medicaid by adding Title XIX to the Social Security Act, 42
U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq. Under the program, the federal government provides
matching funds to states to enable them to provide medical assistance to
residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. The objective is to help
states provide medical assistance to residents whose incomes and resources are
insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services. Medicaid serves
as the nation’s primary source of health insurance coverage for low-income
populations.
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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If you know
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 @ 3:24 PM
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