Rod Sullivan, Supervisor, Johnson County, Iowa

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SULLIVAN'S SALVOS

December 4, 2015

Sullivan’s Salvos     12/8/15




In this edition:


*Sullivan For Supervisor!
*Replacing Supervisor Neuzil
*Hypocrisy On Trump
*Did You Know?




*Sullivan For Supervisor!
         With a couple of individuals recently announcing campaigns for Supervisor, I thought it was time for me to make my intentions known. Below is an announcement from the Sullivan for Supervisor campaign:

IOWA CITY – Johnson County Supervisor Rod Sullivan announced today that he will seek reelection.

Sullivan pointed to several accomplishments during his time in office. Since Sullivan joined the Board, Johnson County has:

·      Successfully dealt with flood response and recovery;

·      Passed an ordinance raising the minimum wage, the first county in Iowa to do so;

·      Passed the Community ID program, the first county in Iowa to do so;

·      Passed a Human Rights Ordinance, the first county in Iowa to do so;

·      Passed a Sensitive Areas Ordinance, the first county in Iowa to do so;

·      Signed on to Cool Counties, the first county in Iowa to do so;

·      Created a Livable Community for Seniors, the first county in Iowa to do so;

·      Created a Trails Committee and for the first time put trails in the budget;

·      Created a Local Foods Policy Council;

·      Instituted a highly successful Earned Income Tax Credit program;

·      Established a Buy Local policy;

·      Added rural tornado sirens;

·      Passed stormwater management, wind energy, and downcast lighting ordinances;

·      Started 1105 Project with gift of old Public Health building;

·      Allowed FEMA to pay to restore the Sutliff Bridge;

·      Won an “A” in local government transparency from Sunshine Institute;

·      Led the transition to a Regional system of Mental Health Care.

Sullivan, 49, grew up on a Heritage farm just east of Sutliff. He lives in Iowa City with his wife, Melissa Fath, who does cancer research at the UI. They have 3 children - Rachel, Jordan, and BJ, and have served as Foster Parents to 40+ additional children.

Sullivan has been involved with numerous organizations, including AFT Local 716; Affordable Homes Coalition; Coalition for Racial Justice; St. Andrew Presbyterian Church; Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents; United Way; Community Foundation of Johnson County; and volunteering in Haiti.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege serving as a Johnson County Supervisor,” Sullivan said. “We have accomplished some good things, but we can do so much more. I want to continue to push Johnson County to be the best it can be.”

Sullivan says his goals for Johnson County include: working with cities for sensible TIF usage; improving rural housing conditions; and increased support for Human Services.

Sullivan can be contacted at 319-354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. He has a website at rodsullivan.org.




*Replacing Supervisor Neuzil
As you know, Johnson County Supervisor Terrence Neuzil recently took a job as the County Administrator in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Terrence will be leaving Johnson County December 20, and starting in Kalamazoo on December 21.

Auditor Travis Weipert, Recorder Kim Painter, and Treasurer Tom Kriz met on December 2nd to choose one of two options: schedule a special election or appoint a replacement.

As I noted in a previous edition of Salvos, this group has done a bit of each over the years. When Lorada Cilek died in office, her son Mike was appointed to finish out her term. After Joe Bolkcom left for the State Senate, Carol Thompson was appointed. After Larry Meyers died in office, Janelle Rettig was appointed. After Sally Stutsman left for the State Legislature, a special election was called.

Again, these three elected officials are put in a very difficult position. If they choose an election, they are wasting tax dollars on an unnecessary election. If they choose to appoint, they are playing favorites or rewarding political buddies. In other words, they cannot win.

The group met on Wednesday, and by a 2-1 margin, voted to hold a special election. Weipert and Painter voted for the election; Kriz voted to appoint. Weipert selected the election date of Tuesday, January 19, 2016 after meeting with staff that afternoon.

The election winner will serve through December 31, 2016. The same seat will also be on the ballot in the June 7 primary and November 8 general election for a full four-year term.

Monday, December 28 at 5 PM is the filing deadline for candidates. (Iowa Code sets the deadline as 25 days before election, but that falls on Christmas Day so the deadline moves to the next business day.) The two full status political parties, Democrats and Republicans, may nominate a candidate by holding a special convention of delegates elected at the 2014 caucuses. Other organizations and independent candidates may file by petition with 250 signatures.

         The Democratic Party Convention will be Wednesday, December 16 at 6:30 PM (registration begins at 5:30) at the Coralville Public Library. I have not heard anything from the local GOP.

         Let the games begin!




*Hypocrisy On Trump
         Jeb Bush says Donald Trump “has no clue what he is talking about.” Marco Rubio has criticized Trump’s bankruptcies. Chris Christie has accused Trump of lying about 9/11. John Kasich has said Trump is not “worthy” of the Presidency. Carly Fiorina has criticized Trump’s attitude toward women. Ted Cruz says Trump “is not gonna be the nominee.” Lindsey Graham has called Trump “clueless”, “uninformed”, and “whiny”. Rick Santorum has criticized Trump for “calling people names”.

         When asked directly, most of these other candidates will tell you that Donald Trump is not fit to be President of the United States. But you know what? If he wins the nomination, each one of them will fall in line. There is not a single one who actually believes in Trump. But if needed, they will all support him in the end.

         Do they really believe Trump is MORE qualified than Clinton or Sanders? I doubt it. But they will not be honest about it. It is called hypocrisy.




*DID YOU KNOW?  There were Special Elections for the office of County Supervisor in 1994 (won by Don Sehr), 2010 (won by Janelle Rettig), and 2014 (won by John Etheredge).



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






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