SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 13, 2018
Sullivan’s Salvos 12/18/18
In this edition:
*Merry Christmas!
*Holiday Office Schedule
*Caravan
*Vote!
*Being “Unrepresented”
*Choosing an Architect
*Salvos Salutes Next Week!
*Did You Know?
*Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!
*Holiday Office Schedule
A quick note on the Johnson County schedule for the holidays – administrative offices will be closed on Monday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) and Tuesday the 25th(Christmas), reopening on Wednesday the 26th.
Offices will be open on Monday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) and closed on Tuesday, January 1st (New Year’s Day). Offices open again on Wednesday, January 2nd.
As always, the Sheriff’s Office, Jail, 911 dispatch, Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ambulance service will be running 24/7/365.
*Caravan
You have all heard about that big caravan of immigrants, right? No, not the ones the US Government tear gassed. The caravan in Syria 2000 years ago!
It went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem - the town of David. Ever heard of it?
*Vote!
If you are a Democrat and/or a progressive, I need your help. We have a Special Election on Tuesday, December 18 to fill the office of Supervisor. The Democratic candidate is Royceann Porter, and she needs your support.
Early voting is available from 7:45 am -5:30 pm from December 5th -14th and December 17th at the Auditor’s Office. There will be a satellite December 14 at UIHC, and December 15 at the IC Public Library.
We still need people who are willing to knock doors and make phone calls. Please email me if you are able to help.
*Being “Unrepresented”
I am frankly growing pretty weary of certain groups whining about being “unrepresented”. Especially old, white, straight men.
“Unrepresented.” In the immortal words of Inigo Montoya:“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
What does it mean to be "unrepresented"? If there has NEVER been a black woman elected to County office... Isn't that as "unrepresented" as you can possibly get? I did say NEVER!
Johnson County Supervisors are elected at large. We all represent the whole county – including those with whom we disagree.
*Choosing an Architect
One Supervisor has gotten a lot of publicity lately in her protestations over Johnson County’s choice of Newman Monson Architects to design the new Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center (BHUCC). I disagree strongly. Here are just a few reasons why:
1.) State law does NOT require a bid. It is very clear. So no laws are being violated in any way, shape, or form. It is true that Johnson County has typically done some type of RFP/RFQ in these situations, but there are reasons we chose to go a different direction on this project. (See below.)
2.) Kevin Monson has given a great deal of his own time to this project at NO COST to taxpayers. (This gave him a leg up in terms of knowledge of the project. But he earned that leg up through his volunteerism!)
3.) Once we began paying an hourly fee for architectural services, we began paying Newman Monson. The Board voted unanimously to do so. (There is a second leg up.)
4.) I spoke to a couple local architects about this situation. They were actually glad that the County was being transparent about Kevin Monson’s involvement. They REALLY didn’t want to go to the trouble of preparing a proposal knowing he had such a head start. It would have been a waste of their time and resources. They appreciated our candor.
5.) Other architects are free to volunteer on other projects. It just might buy them some goodwill! That said, there was never any quid pro quo – “Work on this for free, and we’ll give you a contract.” In fact, it was quite the opposite… at one point, the Board decided we were taking advantage of Mr. Monson and needed to begin paying him!
5.) Other architects are free to volunteer on other projects. It just might buy them some goodwill! That said, there was never any quid pro quo – “Work on this for free, and we’ll give you a contract.” In fact, it was quite the opposite… at one point, the Board decided we were taking advantage of Mr. Monson and needed to begin paying him!
6.) Newman Monson’s rate is right in the middle of what is viewed as usual and customary by the American Institute of Architecture (AIA).
There is nothing to see here. Just someone trying to create a controversy where there is none. It is just another attempt to subvert the BHUCC project. I expect several more before we are finished.
The whole thing makes me angry, because the insinuation is that the rest of the Board and Mr. Monson are somehow unethical. That is simply untrue. Mr. Monson deserves SO much better, especially given his many charitable contributions to this project and others! Kevin Monson is a great guy and a very giving person. He deserves an apology.
My fellow Supervisor claims to support the BHUCC project, but votes against it every chance she gets. She takes every opportunity to delay and obstruct BHUCC progress. Trust me, the people actually doing the work on this project do NOT feel supported! With supporters like this, who needs enemies?
*Salvos Salutes Next Week!
We live in a GREAT county! Why? Because of the great people that live here! Unfortunately, we rarely do enough to acknowledge these wonderful people and the wonderful things they do.
That is why I really look forward to Salvos Salutes. It provides an opportunity to mention just a few of these cool people and the good things they do. I hope you look forward to it as well!
*DID YOU KNOW? There are two of Iowa’s 99 County Seats that span more than one county: Des Moines (Polk and Warren) and Forest City (Winnebago and Hancock). Cedar Rapids may end up number three; they own part of a road in Johnson County.
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.
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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 @ 11:26 AM
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