SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 25, 2015
Sullivan’s
Salvos 12/29/15
In this edition:
*Happy New Year!
*No Salvos Next Week!
*Salvos Salutes!
*Did You Know?
*Happy New Year!
Happy
New Year to all Salvos readers! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a
wonderful 2016!
*No Salvos Next Week!
There
will be no Salvos next week, as I am pursuing a life long dream – watching the
Hawkeyes play in the Rose Bowl! I simply cannot tell you how excited I am! Pasadena
or bust!
Salvos will resume with an edition dated 1-12-16, which should
arrive in your inboxes a few days before that date.
*Salvos Salutes!
2015 is coming to a close, and it is time for honoring a few
select Johnson County residents with that most treasured of honors, the Salvos
Salute. A few observations:
* This is the tenth annual set of awards, and there are always
more people who deserve awards than there are awards to give. We live in a
great County!
* The focus is on Johnson County. It is certainly worth noting the
daily heroism of someone like our firefighters, police,
and paramedics. There are
also examples that garner international attention. But we have everyday heroes
right here in Johnson County that deserve a shout out.
* There are some people out there that could win every year. I am
trying to honor different folks, but repeat winners are not out of the
question.
* Salvos Salutes do not have specific criteria, but you can bet
that in general, most of the winners are courageous, advocate for peace and
justice, have good ideas, speak truth to power, avoid hypocrisy, and look out
for the less fortunate.
Without
further adieu, your 2015 Salvos Salutes go to:
Kirk Ferentz: The Salute is not about the 12-0 start or the Rose Bowl birth. It is
about the willingness to take an honest look at what he is doing, listen to his
critics, and make positive changes. That is a great example from which we can
all learn.
Tom Jacobs: After several decades as a respected labor leader, Tom decided to
retire. He should have gotten a Salvos Salute at that time. Watching him serve
as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend shows he deserves a Salute for
those roles, too. What a kind, generous, thoughtful, caring man! I am proud to
call Tom a friend!
John Kenyon: It was fantastic that Iowa City received the City of Literature
designation from UNESCO in 2008. But there was no blueprint (and no funding)
that came with the designation. It has been up to John to navigate the egos and
silos that made this effort a challenge. And navigate he has! The City of
Literature organization is strong and growing stronger under John’s capable
leadership.
Lisa Metzler: This Solon woman dutifully works every day to ensure that foster and
adoptive children and foster and adoptive families have what they need. Then
she goes home from work and serves as a foster and adoptive parent herself! Do
not kid yourself - Lisa is a true hero!
Andre Perry: The Englert Theatre has become one of the most important cultural and
civic resources in all of Johnson County. The building itself is beautiful, but
the building did not do that. Andre Perry did. If this young man comes to you
with an idea, do yourself a favor and tell him yes!
Dave Wehde: We are aware of the award winning writers and champion wrestlers in
our midst. But did you know that Johnson County Conservation is home to
probably the top Naturalist in the business? Dave Wehde has been serving the
people of Johnson County a long time, and yes, he really is that good! Dave’s
role will only grow (pun intended!) as we battle the many invasive species that
threaten our landscape.
Chris Henze: Should we really recognize not one but TWO Johnson County employees
who deal with weeds? Actually, yes we should! Johnson County won the award for
having the top Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management program in the whole
country! This was the result of years of fighting, years of volunteering, and
years of advocacy on the part of many people. But Chris is the guy who has
pulled it all together and made it all work.
Jesse Case: Johnson County became the first county in Iowa to adopt a Community
ID program. Then Johnson County became the first county in Iowa to raise the
minimum wage. If you want to find a single person most responsible for these
accomplishments, look no farther than Iowa City Federation of Labor President
Jesse Case. Neither of those things happens without Jesse’s leadership –
period.
Robin Clark-Bennett: Jesse Case gets the credit for the above
accomplishments, as he should. But they might not have happened without the
tireless and unsung efforts of Robin Clark-Bennett. Speaking Spanish to low
wage workers, advocating with policy makers, convincing clergy that our fights
were just… Robin was everywhere, doing the dirty work that led to the passage
of these important issues.
Jean Jordison: Throughout our community, people donate time, talent, and treasure.
Some people make a show of it; others do so quietly. One of the quiet heroes is
Jean Jordison. She has given so much to a couple local low-income immigrant
families that it boggles the mind. But that is just the start – her giving is felt
throughout the community. If everyone contributed the way Jean does… well, I
cannot even imagine. Her contributions are truly extraordinary!
Bill Greazel: The Johnson County Assessor’s Office is the best in the state, bar
none. That is borne out by every possible statistical measure. And it has been
that way for decades. Why? Because (now retired) Johnson County Assessor Bill
Greazel was there. Between technological advances and good old-fashioned hard
work, Bill made the Johnson County Assessor’s Office the envy of all others.
And that is good for you! It means valuations are fair and accurate.
LaTasha DeLoach: The Salute was coming for her work as Johnson County’s
Disproportionate Minority Contact Coordinator, a role in which she fights for a
more just world for people of color. Then LaTasha went out and won a seat on
the ICCSD Board of Directors, bringing an important voice to a growing and
diversifying district. She will have to split the Salvos Salute for her work at
both her paid and unpaid jobs!
Mike Ryan:
Did you follow the minimum wage discussions in Tiffin? The debate there was
more robust than in any other city in Johnson County. Throughout that debate,
one person emerged as a vocal champion for low wage workers – Councilor Mike
Ryan. The fire Mike demonstrated while fighting for a higher minimum wage was
really exceptional. The people of Tiffin are lucky to have such a passionate
public servant!
Teachers:
They all get a Salute. Every one of them. Not only have they done their typical
great work – arguably our most important work – they have done so while under
attack from the Branstad Administration. Teachers, you deserve so much better.
Hang in there, and keep up the great work!
Congratulations
to all our winners! I look forward to all the great things you’ll accomplish in
2016!
*DID YOU KNOW?
131 individuals/groups have received a Salvos Salute since they were
started in 2006.
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
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:57 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home