SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 15, 2018
Sullivan’s
Salvos 2/20/18
In this edition:
*RIP Tom Walz
*DVIP Souper Bowl
*Bowl For Kids Sake
*FY2019 Budget Public Hearing
*Real Iowans in Johnson County!
*Did You Know?
*RIP Tom Walz
My
friend, mentor, and professor Tom Walz passed away this week. In addition to
serving decades as a UI Professor of Social Work, Tom was the founder of Bill’s
Coffee Shop, Uptown Bill’s, and Extend the Dream.
Tom
often asked me back to the School of Social Work to his Public Policy classes,
in which he would absolutely give me hell for failing to do enough for people
who had various disadvantages. But he did so with a smile on his face, and when
he finished, he would tell me he was proud of me.
I
always thought Tom was best summed up by a series of photos on the wall of the
family home. They got a family portrait every year, and these photos hung on
the wall in chronological order. One year there would be two African American
girls; the next, an older man who used a wheelchair. Two years later, the girls
were back, and so was a young man with Downs Syndrome. Bill Sackter came and
went. It went on like that every year – new faces, old faces - everyone was a
part of Tom’s family!
RIP,
Tom. I know you didn’t like giving or receiving grades, but you just got an A+.
*DVIP Souper Bowl
The
Domestic Violence Intervenion Program (DVIP) is holding its 21st
Annual Souper Bowl fundraiser on Thursday, February 22 from 5:30-7:30 PM at the
Clarion Highlander.
From
the Souper Bowl Facebook Page: In the chill of February in
Iowa, we are reminded of the need to break bread, share conversation, and
support our neighbors. As our client, Angela, expressed with tears streaming
down her face as she leaned over to her advocate, “All of these people are here
for us? I had no idea. I have felt so alone in this for so long. Thank you.”
With your support, we are able to provide much-needed
resources to those most vulnerable within our community while sharing amazing
food with our neighbors in a family-friendly atmosphere! Your donation
goes directly to serving victim/survivors within our community!
Guests choose a unique, often one
of a kind, donated bowl, and eat an unlimited amount of amazing soup from area
restaurants while conversing with other supporters to local music. The proceeds
from this event provide much-needed funding to keep the doors of our emergency
shelter open, our advocates in the community, and help individuals and families
to find safety and dignity when they most need it.
*Bowl For Kids’ Sake
The Sullivan for Supervisor
team is once again raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County
by Bowling For Kids’ Sake on Saturday, February 24.
Bowl for Kids' Sake is Big
Brothers Big Sisters largest national fundraiser, raising over $20 million
annually for children in need across the country. Because of Bowl for Kids'
Sake, more Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more friendships can be created and
improved outlooks on life can be started.
*FY2019 Budget Public Hearing
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors has approved the
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Estimate. Detailed information about the budget will be
presented at a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the
Johnson County Administration Building, 913 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, in
the second floor boardroom. A reception with refreshments will begin at 5 p.m.
A complete packet of the budget estimate is available at
www.johnson-county.com on the Finance Department page under “FY19 Budget.” The
following link will take you directly to the tax calculation worksheet: http://www.johnson-county.com/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=23748.
The budget is also
available for viewing at the Iowa Department of Management’s public budget
report website at www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/localbudgets/default.aspx?cmd=gotopublicsite.
Questions may be directed
to the Johnson County Finance Department at 319-688-8095.
*Real Iowans in Johnson County!
I
often hear political journalists, Democratic candidates, and Democratic
campaign operatives make statements like, “Johnson County does not matter,” or
“No statewide candidate can come from Johnson County,” or “We are going to talk
to REAL Iowans, not people in Johnson County.”
I
am sick of it. Sick! So I have a new mission. I am going to call those people
out – every time. And I am going to publicize that I called them out. And I am
going to badger them until the day I die, trampled in a Peace protest!
Seriously
– I am sick of it. Johnson County is the most Democratic County in Iowa. We
provide the largest margin in Iowa. Candidates milk this place for votes,
volunteers, and money. Yet all we get in return is disrespect.
Candidates
seem to take a perverse joy in telling us we are too idealistic. It is almost
as brazen as, “Thanks for the money, but I am not going to even TRY to give you
anything you requested.” Except they don’t even say, “Thanks for the money.”
So
I am done. Done seeing and hearing the people of this County disrespected. Are
we a well-educated group? Yes. Do we care about Labor issues? Yes. Do we care
about the environment? Yes. Do we care about women’s healthcare? Yes. Are many
of us LGBTQ? Yes. I could go on. Bottom line? We are every bit as “Iowan” as
any other part of Iowa!
Beware,
statewide candidates, because my campaign is real! Johnson County deserves much
better than it gets. I am certain we will continue to provide votes,
volunteers, and money. But be careful - we might just start demanding a little
more in return!
*DID YOU KNOW?
In 2000, population density in Johnson County was 181 people per square
mile. By the 2010 Census, that number had increased to 222 people per square
mile. It will be interesting to see where that number lands following the 2020
Census!
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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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 @ 1:59 PM
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