SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
August 9, 2018
Sullivan’s Salvos 8/14/18
In this edition:
*Happy Birthday Melissa!
*Happy Birthday BJ!
*RIP Mark Zollo
*Cosgrove Pork Day
*Think Minimum Wage!
*Smoke Free Iowa*Parental Responsibility Ordinances
*Did You Know?
*Happy Birthday, Melissa!
My wife Melissa celebrates her birthday on August 17th. Those of you who know her know that I am a very lucky man! Happy Birthday, Honey! I love you!
*Happy Birthday BJ!
Son BJ has his Golden Birthday this year - turning 22 on August 22. I am very proud of him! Happy Birthday, BJ! I love you!
*RIP Mark Zollo
Yet another friend passes away…I met Mark in the mid-80s through mutual friends. We had a shared love of beer and Hawkeye sports, and hit it off right away! He was a smart and funny man, and I always enjoyed being in his company. I will miss him. My prayers are with his family and friends.
*Cosgrove Pork Day
Sunday, August 19 marks the annual St. Peter’s Catholic Church Pork Day in Cosgrove. There is a Polka Mass at 11; pork dinners served 11-2; events for kids, bingo, a beer tent, raffles, and much more!
*Think Minimum Wage!
Planning an event? After work get together? Beers with friends? Before you choose where to go, please consider whether or not that business supports the Johnson County minimum wage.
Several businesses went out on a limb, and took a stand for the low wage workers of our community. If you care about this, you need to reward the businesses that have done the right thing.
So before your next after work beer, please ask the establishment if they observe the Johnson County minimum wage. If not, go elsewhere. Where you buy matters!
*Smoke Free Iowa
The Iowa Smokefree Air Act turns 10 years old July 1, 2018. Iowa is one of 25 states that have enacted comprehensive smoke-free laws addressing secondhand smoke exposure in workplaces, restaurants and bars.
Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed the Smokefree Air Act into law in 2008. On the Act’s five-year anniversary, a poll by the American Cancer Society Action Network found 82 percent of registered Iowa voters indicated their support of the law banning workplace smoking and said it had made Iowa a better place to live. “The Smoke Free Air Act was the catalyst for many tobacco-free initiatives,” said Susan Vileta, Health Educator at Johnson County Public Health. “Iowans are now protected from second hand smoke not only in the workplace, but also in smoke-free apartments, and in hundreds of parks and outdoor entertainment areas.”
For more information about the Smoke Free Air Act, including frequently asked questions about the law, visit https://smokefreeair.iowa.gov/. To access the Smoke Free Homes Registry, go to https://smokefreehomes.iowa.gov/ and if you are ready to quit tobacco, call Quitline Iowa at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visit www.quitlineiowa.org.
*Parental Responsibility Ordinances
I have once again heard stirrings that some in Iowa City are calling for a so-called “parental responsibility” ordinance. The idea here is that if a minor child is charged with a crime, parent(s) may also be charged.
I think people who support this ought to volunteer to be foster parents. Until they are willing to step up and take that on, they should shut their mouths.
Passage of this type of ordinance would kill foster care. Why would anyone risk prosecution to care for someone else’s child?
I have had more than my share of experience with troubled youth. This is not as simple as ordinance supporters make it sound. Sure, most parents can keep a rambunctious 6 year old in his room. (And 99.99% DO.) But what is that same parent to do when that child grows to be a 16 year old, 200-pound young man?
I have personally seen dozens of situations where the parent would give almost anything to have the assistance of the police. They want their child to do the right thing; they cannot do much with an out-of-control teen.
We are severely lacking in services for troubled teens. Parents have almost no support. 25 years ago, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) funded services for families in this situation. Not any more. In many cases, the only way a parent can get any help for a child is to hope she gets arrested!
In addition, there are already laws in place to punish teens that commit crimes. Why do we need “extra” punishments? Crime isn’t even up in Johnson County; it is down significantly!
Another factor is mental illness. The onset of most types of mental illness tends to take place during the mid-late teens. These children have done nothing wrong. They are ILL. Their parents face a LIFELONG, daunting challenge to provide for, support, and advocate for their kids. Meanwhile, some smug SOB thinks that parent, who has experienced suffering they will never know, should get a fine. Makes me so angry I could scream!
Finally, there are significant civil liberties concerns in play. How can you charge someone with a crime who has done nothing wrong? The ACLU is fighting these ordinances across the country, and having great success. I hope they continue to do so!
Supporters of this type of ordinance have lived in a bubble, and they are lucky that they have been so blessed! A more appropriate response would be a call for more and better services for families in need. Meanwhile, supporters of punishing parents should heed the old adage: there but for the Grace of God go I.
*DID YOU KNOW? An estimated 1,600 Iowa children are on a waitlist for services through the Children’s Mental Health Waiverprogram. Wait times average 21 months.
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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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 @ 2:02 PM
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