Rod Sullivan, Supervisor, Johnson County, Iowa

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SULLIVAN'S SALVOS

May 11, 2017

Sullivan’s Salvos     5/16/17



In this edition:


*Welcome, Zuri!
*One Community. One Bond.
*Inside Out Fundraiser
*Friday Night Concert Series
*Did You Know?



*Welcome, Zuri!
         I am excited to announce the birth of our first grandchild! Zuri James Foote (a daughter) was born Wednesday, May 10 at UIHC. Parents are our oldest daughter Rachel Sullivan and her boyfriend Collin Foote. Zuri came along at 12:47 AM, and weighs 6 pounds, twelve ounces.

         I had the opportunity to be in the delivery room during the birth, and I have to say, it was amazing! I have experienced a lot of things with a lot of kids over the years, but this was the first time I have been a part of childbirth!

Mother, father, and daughter are all doing well. Oh, and Grandpa, too! He’s doing great!  J



*One Community. One Bond.
The ICCSD is going to the voters on September 12 with a bond referendum. I wholeheartedly support it, and have joined the group urging passage – One Community. One Bond.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Our kids need it. Johnson County keeps growing, and our schools haven't kept up. We add over 300 students per year in the ICCSD; the equivalent of one elementary school. Our kids deserve climate controls. They deserve rooms for art, music, and PE. If nothing changes, 60% of our students will be forced to have class in a temporary classroom. And ADA accommodations are a matter of federal law!

2. Our teachers deserve it. Working conditions vary wildly in the ICCSD. Our teachers are magnificent, and at a minimum deserve to work in safe, comfortable environments.

3. Johnson County IS education! Education is at our core. Education is our biggest industry, our biggest employers, and our greatest point of pride. We are defined by education.

4. Buildings schools is great for the local construction industry.

That is why I support the bond. Now allow me to address some of the bond’s critics:

Some say, "You can't trust the Board." All the more reason to pass a bond! Bonding language spells out every project. Passing a bond is the best way to hold them accountable.

There is an old Zen proverb: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” I view the bond vote in much the same way: “Hate the Board? Our kids need the bond. Love the Board? Our kids need the bond.”

For adults to allow their petty political differences to stand in the way of facilities our children need is simply not cool. This is not about the Board, and not about the Administration. Neither group will be here for long; our children will be. While the adults bicker, the children suffer.

Some say, "It is too expensive." The ICCSD has bonds coming off the same time these would go on. It makes the overall tax increase a very manageable $.98/$1000, or $4.25 per month on $100,000 assessed value. Even if the bond passes, the ICCSD will still have the lowest tax rate of any urban district in Iowa – lower than our neighboring districts.

Some complain because the proposed bond would be the largest in state history. So? The 2003 Yes for Kids campaign, which among other things built North Central Junior High, Tate High, and Van Allen Elementary, was the largest in state history when it was passed.

Will the bond perfectly anticipate every future need? Probably not. But critics of the plan have no viable ideas. The current plan took seven years to get this far. If we vote no, we are telling our ten year olds they will never see any facilities improvements during their academic careers. Putting everything on hold in search of perfection would be a clear case of the perfect being the enemy of the good.

Finally, please consider this: With all the negativity in Washington and Des Moines, where they can do whatever they want to us - here is an opportunity for us to stand up and show that we support education.

Much more information is available at passthebond.com. I hope you will join me in supporting One Community. One Bond.



*Inside Out Fundraiser
Join us for an afternoon of FREE MUSIC, FOOD, and FUN! The Inside Out ReEntry Community includes people returning to Johnson County after incarceration and their supporters, working together toward successful reintegration for returning citizens and broad based criminal justice reform.

Join us as we build friendships and work toward reaching our fundraising goals! Featuring performances by B.F. Burt & Band, Jim Kennedy & Friends and others. Food provided by Pop's BBQ and others. Sound by Steve Cook Sound Production.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Join us on Saturday, May 20 from 4-7 at 500 N. Clinton (First Baptist Church).



*Friday Night Concert Series
         Friday, May 19 marks the first Friday Night Concert of the season, and it is a doozy! David Zollo & the Body Electric with Brian Johannesen will be rocking downtown Iowa City!

The concert runs 6:30-9:30 PM on the Ped Mall, and the Stage Sponsor is Kum & Go. The Friday Night Concert Series run through August 25, and are a product of Summer of the Arts.



*DID YOU KNOW?  At passthebond.com you can find detailed information about how the ICCSD Facilities Master Plan impacts schools throughout the District. EVERYONE will see progress by the time we are finished! There is a project sheet for every school in the District so that people know what to expect in their neck of the woods.


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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