SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
July 8, 2016
Sullivan’s
Salvos 7/12/16
In this edition:
*Stop Shooting Each Other!
*RIP Gene Spaziani
*Solon Beef Days
*ICCSD School Board Thoughts
*Did You Know?
*Stop Shooting Each Other!
I
am distraught as I write this. I don’t know what to say, except please stop
shooting each other! Please be kind!
*RIP Gene Spaziani
I was saddened to learn of the passing
of Gene Spaziani of Iowa City. Gene was a renowned Endocrinologist, and
accomplished musician, but we knew each other in completely different ways.
Gene
and I shared a deep involvement in both the local Democratic Party and the
disability rights movement. Gene not only had a mastery of the facts, but he
made his case very passionately. Gene was a dogged activist, who really got
involved and really made a difference.
I know Gene was loved by many and will be missed by many. He was
definitely an influence on me. RIP, Gene.
*Solon Beef Days
The 45th annual Solon Beef Days runs Friday and
Saturday July 15 & 16 in Solon. Steaks, rides, entertainment, a parade, and
the now-legendary hay bale toss are just a few of the items on tap.
I
say this every year, and it is because it comes from a place of pride: I can
honestly say that I have been to roughly 41 of the 45 Beef Days. I wear it like
a badge of honor! This is the year to start your own streak!
I’ll
be marching in the parade Saturday – lineup is at 9 AM just east of the high
school. Please join me!
For
all the details, including a full schedule of events, see: http://beefdays.com/
*ICCSD School Board Thoughts
Like
many of you, I have watched the ICCSD boundary discussions. It reminds one of
witnessing a car wreck in slow motion. You know it cannot turn out well – and
you just hope it is not as bad as you fear. Our community is being torn apart,
and we need to put redistricting behind us. Unfortunately, people on both sides
of the boundary issues are crying “racism” and pointing at the others.
The
fact of the matter is, none of us is without sin. We are ALL racist to some
degree. We are ALL classist to some degree. Yes, there are people who are
blatant about it. In some ways, this is easier to address than the subtle
racism/classism that is pervasive in our community.
There
are poor African American folks at Kirkwood Elementary who do not want their
kids bussed to North Liberty. There are poor African American folks at Kirkwood
Elementary who feel it is more important to have a classroom with FRL balance.
Some of the folks who feel one way are racists. Some of the folks who feel the
other way are racists. But most people are NOT racists. And agreeing with one
group or the other does not MAKE a person a racist.
If
we make changes, there are poor African American families who may have
difficulties with transportation. And if we do NOT make changes, there ALREADY
are poor African American families who have difficulties with transportation.
Personally,
I thought the Board screwed up by failing to address elementary boundaries
first. That is where the “walkability” issue is most prevalent; older kids
drive; they get rides from other kids; at City, they take pubic transit; and if
they ride a bike (very few do) they can ride it further. Plus, elementary
schools are smaller; kids spend more years there; etc. But – that ship sailed.
The Board chose a different route. Now, some of the folks who are calling for a
return to redistricting at the elementary level are the same folks who
prevented that effort last year! They look like they want to simply scuttle
every possible redistricting scenario. It is all unfortunate, but it is our
reality.
And
yes, economic diversity matters! There is a great deal of research that
demonstrates poor kids perform better in economically integrated schools. Rich
kids, however, do not suffer from economic integration. Try as you might,
simply offering more “resources” does NOT get the same results! The data is
pretty clear. We really do need to strive toward economic diversity in our
schools.
Does
that mean bussing? Bussing is a pretty loaded word. But guess what? We already
do a LOT of bussing! How do you think kids get to our secondary schools now?
School busses and parents driving, that’s how!
I
may win that argument. I may not. But either way - just decide. Decide, and
move on. People are going to be upset; that’s life. Redistricting should not be
this hard. It should not be this time consuming. It should not create so much
distrust and division in the community. Get this done!
The
ICCSD is facing huge challenges. We must begin to focus on other topics. A
recent report stated that Administration at the ICCSD, “hinders teacher’s
efforts” and that a “culture of retaliation” exists. This is not OK. And if we
can ever get past redistricting, we can move on to addressing it.
The
issue in front of us right now is the election. We need to replace Tom Yates’
unexpired term on the Board. I have a definite favorite in this election.
I
LOVE JP Claussen! That sounds hyperbolic, and perhaps it is. But I have known
JP a long time. He taught two of my kids almost 20 years ago at the Broadway
Neighborhood Center. I fell in love with him then, and nothing since then has
made me think any less of him.
JP
has worked for the past two years as an educator for the
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is also a former president of the Iowa
City Education Association. JP
is kind, smart, caring, courageous, hard working, and a great listener. I have
never seen him do anything other than stand up for those with less.
Even
if I had not known JP for 20 years, there are a couple key things that
recommend him. First, JP is a Democrat. While that is not the only measure of a
candidate, it says something meaningful about your belief system. Plus JP is
not just any Dem, but a very active Dem. Secondly, JP is a labor guy – endorsed
by the IC Federation of Labor. JP earned this, having spent several years on
the ICCSD bargaining team representing the teachers. I am a big believer in the
value of organized labor.
There
are important issues where JP and I disagree. (See redistricting, above!) But you
know what? That is OK! It does not make him a racist, nor does it make me a
racist. We simply disagree. And that is OK. There are many more areas where we
agree!
I
have spent my whole adult life fighting for those in poverty. I have spent that
whole time as an ally of my African American friends. I have talked it, and I
have walked it. Frankly, I am tired of people who have never “walked it”
telling me I HAVE to vote a certain way or the poor will be negatively
affected.
Really?
Where have you been? I’ve been at the meetings, the protests, and the rest.
Where were you? Has the well being of all poor people and people of color been
central to every vote you have taken? Are you holding yourself to the same
standard you are holding me?
I
am a warrior in the fight for the poor. I am an ally in the fight for equality
for people of color. And I refuse to apologize for voting for JP Claussen. He
is a good man.
This
is no knock on any other candidate. I simply love and respect JP. I will be
voting for JP Claussen, and I hope you do, too.
*DID YOU KNOW?
The ICCSD Board election is July 19, but early voting is available now
at the Auditor’s Office. For other voting opportunities, check out the
Auditor’s website.
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.
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come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the
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serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 3:37 PM
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