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SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
March 28, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 4/2/19
In this edition:
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
*Mission Creek Festival
*Johnson County Public Health Receives National Accreditation
*The Candidates – Beto O’Rourke
*Tiffin Fire Breakfast
*Did You Know?
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
My daughter Jordan turns 25 on April 8th. Jordan graduated a three years ago from Western Illinois University, and has working with youth in Memphis, Tennessee ever since. More importantly, she is a really good person. Man, am I ever proud! Happy Birthday, Jordan! I love you!
*Mission Creek Festival
The Mission Creek Festival runs April 2-7 in a variety of venues around Iowa City. Because of the genius that is Englert Theatre Director Andre Perry, this weeklong extravaganza has become an incredible package of art, music, comedy, film, literature, food, technology, and much, much more!
For tickets and a complete schedule of events, see: http://www.missioncreekfestival.com.
*Johnson County Public Health Receives National Accreditation
Johnson County Public Health was awarded national accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) on March 21, 2019. The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of the nation’s state, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments. Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) is one of fewer than 300 health departments that have thus far achieved accreditation through PHAB.
“We are pleased and excited to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” says Dave Koch, Director of Johnson County Public Health. “The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. With accreditation, Johnson County Public Health is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials, and partner organizations with which we work. This recognition would not be possible without the strong support and working relationships we have with countless individuals and community partners.”
The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s nearly 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.
Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns, and states across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), established in 2007, was created to serve as the national public health accrediting body, and is jointly funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The development of national public health accreditation has involved, and is supported by, public health leaders and practitioners from the national, Tribal, state, and local levels.
*The Candidates – Beto O’Rourke
I will get right to it – I am not a huge Beto fan. It is nothing personal. He clearly has a lot of positive qualities. I was glad to see him push Ted Cruz in their Senate race. But I think he is getting more credit than he deserves. Perhaps this is a bit harsh, but as they might say in his native Texas – Beto is all hat and no cattle.
Beto engenders a lot of comparisons to Barack Obama, and that is understandable. Both are young, handsome, and have a gift for communicating. Beto is clearly a gifted politician. But I see some very important differences:
First, the obvious: Obama was our first black President. That has meaning that goes beyond any policy that could ever be passed. I firmly believe that we, as a society, continue to underestimate the importance of Obama’s election. This simply doesn’t transfer to a white male candidate.
Secondly, gender matters here. There are several seasoned and accomplished women running. What does Beto offer that they don’t? Not progressive policy ideas!
While it is true that Obama ran against a prominent woman, then-Senator Clinton was nowhere near as progressive as the current group of female candidates. Especially in 2008. Obama offered an alternative then that is not needed today.
Thirdly, female candidates are simply not allowed the leeway Beto has been given. His own conversations about his wife and kids should give us all pause. It feels icky in a John Edwards type of way. This may be unfair, but it deserves a look.
Fourthly, I understand people who compare Beto’s perceived caution with a similar caution on Obama’s part. But Obama had demonstrated a deep understanding of the main issues of the day, and had a record to back it up. The Iraq War, health care, and Hurricane Katrina were all topics upon which Obama had taken strong stands before it was politically expedient. Beto, on the other hand, has very sketchy records on health care, climate change (lots of oil and gas money), and taking on Wall Street.
Finally, for as much as I love and respect President Obama, there are several areas where he needed to be bolder. I do not believe we can just continue along without some very significant changes. Things were quite desperate when Obama entered office. Unfortunately, while the problems have changed a bit, things are just as desperate today. We must not repeat the mistake of too many half measures.
Look, I don’t want to Beto bash. The guy is clearly charismatic, energetic, and knows how to campaign. He seems very approachable. May older folks look at Beto and see Bobby Kennedy. There are definitely reasons to like him.
Would Beto O’Rourke be a better President than the current occupant of the White House? There is no doubt. And if he wins the nomination, I will work my tail off for him. I just think America has better choices right now.
I will be writing about more candidates in the very near future! Stay tuned!
*Tiffin Fire Breakfast
The annual Tiffin Fire and First Responders Pancake Breakfast is Sunday, April 7thfrom 6AM-12PM at the Fire Station – 211 Main Street. A free will donation gets you breakfast!
*DID YOU KNOW? The population of Tiffin has grown from 975 in 2000 to 1975 in 2010 to approximately 3500 today.
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
March 21, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 3/26/19
In this edition:
*Opening Day!
*Dems Hall of Fame Event
*Road Embargoes
*The Candidates – Bernie Sanders
*Did You Know?
*Opening Day!
Major League Baseball celebrates the earliest Opening Day ever in 2019 – March 28. Goodbye, winter, and hello, baseball!
*Dems Hall of Fame Event
The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding our Annual Hall of Fame Awards on Saturday, May 11 at 7pm at Brown Deer in Coralville. 2019 marks the 9thconsecutive year that the Johnson County Democratic Party has held a separate Hall of Fame event.
Please join us for coffee, desserts, and plenty of old war stories! A cash bar will be available.
The Hall of Fame inductees for 2019 are: Sarah Swisher and Gary Smith, Valerie Kemp, Orville and Billie Townsend, and the late Kurt Friese. We hope you can join us in recognizing this remarkable group!
Tickets are available for a $25 suggested donation. People who cannot afford that amount should still feel welcome, but please call 354-7199 so we can get a count. Sponsorships are available at the following levels:
$100 includes two tickets
$250 includes 4 tickets
$500 includes a whole table (8 tickets)
*Road Embargoes
One of the sure “signs of spring” in Iowa is the list of embargoed roads! Winter weather – primarily cycles of freezing and thawing – can do tremendous damage to roads. In order to allow counties to protect the taxpayer investment in these roads, State law allows County Boards of Supervisors to impose weight restrictions.
The chip seal/oil road systems are most susceptible to damage and are most likely to be subjected to embargoes. Although embargoes typically start and end with chip seal roads, we have put embargoes on gravel roads. Even paved roads may be embargoed. Late February through early May is a very common time for the county to post weight restrictions on county roadways. Once posted, the restrictions may be in effect for a period of ninety days. In the past, posted roadways have been limited to any vehicle less than 8 gross tons. Please check the county website for additional information regarding Board approval and weight restrictions for the 2019 embargo season.
The County Engineer may issue a special permit to individuals who demonstrate a need to move market farm produce of the type subject to rapid spoilage or loss of value, or the need to move farm feeds or fuel for home heating purposes. The issuance of a permit may allow certain vehicles exceeding the weight limit to operate on embargoed roadways.
We get asked for exceptions all the time, but please note - permits will not be issued for any other reason - including transporting construction materials or equipment that exceeds the posted weight limit.Operation of over-weight vehicles on restricted roads without a permit will be at the risk of prosecution. Using alternate routes where possible and breaking down loads into smaller units are methods encouraged to minimize damage to these roads.
Permits for qualified participants will be issued at the Johnson County Secondary Road Department at 4810 Melrose Avenue in Iowa City. The following information will be needed to complete the permit: vehicle license plate number(s), driver’s name(s), type of material being transported, and planned route or roads you plan to travel.
Again, for a list of embargoed roads, see the Secondary Roads page on the Johnson County website: www.johnson-county.com.
*The Candidates – Bernie Sanders
I caucused for Bernie last time; I committed very early. As a matter of fact, I was the first elected official in the country to endorse Senator Sanders! That allowed me the opportunity to have some private conversations with him. Folks – what you see is what you get! I have never seen a more single-minded politician, for better or worse!
Last time, Sanders was the clear option for people who were tired of neoliberal policies that favored the rich. Now there are several candidates pushing a more progressive agenda. (Bernie might say pushing HIS agenda!)
But that is good, right? I know personally, that is exactly what I wanted! Without Bernie in 2016, we would not be discussing Medicare For All, increasing the minimum wage, family leave, college tuition, income inequality, and higher marginal tax rates for the wealthy. Climate change would not be at the forefront. And the Democratic Leadership Council and their billionaire donors would still be running things. We needed to change the conversation, and Bernie changed the conversation. He deserves a LOT of credit!
And frankly, I am really tired of people attacking him. Yes, Bernie has flaws. He can be a bit myopic. He hasn’t always handled issues of race and gender as well as I would have liked. Some of my good friends cannot abide by the fact that Bernie refuses to call himself a Democrat. I get it. But we all have flaws. Every person about whom I am going to write will have flaws. The question is, can we still treat the candidates well, even when we disagree?
As much as I love and respect Bernie, I am interested in a younger candidate. That does NOT mean I am saying Bernie is too old. But I AM saying that he has had his turn. The whole Boomer generation has spent way too much time in charge! 8 years of Clinton, 8 years of Bush, and 4 years of Trump – Boomers have had their turn! It is time to get out of the way!
I am also interested in a female candidate. It is time. It is actually WELL PAST time! We have several progressive women in this field; I feel as though there are several good options.
If Bernie is the nominee, I will support him with everything I have. Right now, I want to see if a younger, preferably female candidate can demonstrate a commitment to those same progressive issues.
Meanwhile – lay off Bernie! Are you retweeting all the mean things people say about him? If so, you are just playing into Putin’s hands! Please stop!
That is my current take. I will discuss other candidates as we move toward the 2020 Caucuses. What are your thoughts?
*DID YOU KNOW? In 1987, while mayor of Burlington, VT, Bernie Sanders teamed with local artist and musician Todd Lockwood for what would become We Shall Overcome, a folk album dedicated to the “men and women around the world involved in the struggle for peace and justice.” To record the album, Sanders was joined by 30 Vermont-based musicians who provided the musical backing.
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
March 15, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 3/19/19
In this edition:
*NL Special Election Results
*County Budget Vote
*Did You Know?
*NL Special Election Results
Congratulations to RaQuishia Harrington, who won Tuesday’s Special Election to fill an unexpired term on the North Liberty City Council.
This seat will be back on the ballot in November, along with two other seats. So there are more opportunities coming soon for those who wish to get involved.
As always, thanks to everyone who threw a hat into the ring. We need people to step up in order for government to work!
*County Budget Vote
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted on our FY20 budget on Tuesday. It passed 4-1, with Supervisor Rettig in the negative.
In my opinion, voting against the budget is a big deal. That is why I have chosen to write about it here. Voting no on the budget means voting against EVERY individual thing in the budget. It means voting against Ambulance services. It means voting against Mental Health Services. It means voting against funding for the Crisis Center, Shelter House, and other social services. It means voting against the raises promised to union employees. It means voting against EVERYTHING.
Frankly, that is why voting against the budget used to be a very rare thing. We spend scores of hours going through the budget. Every Supervisor has things they wanted in the budget that were voted down. Every Supervisor has things they voted against that made it into the budget. You win some, you lose some. Traditionally, these hours of negotiations lead to a budget with which everyone can live.
But not the past two years. Supervisor Rettig has voted against the budget each of the past two years. The rest of us offered to negotiate further. But those offers were rebuffed.
At the January 22ndBudget meeting, Supervisor Rettig said, and I quote: "I’m not okay with budget, and I said so a year ago. So I haven’t changed my opinion about it."
In other words, she was going to vote “no” regardless of what we did. And she decided that a year ago. So she knew she was voting “no” for a year. Why negotiate with someone who has that attitude?
She later said the budget was “too high.” So I specifically asked – if we promise to cut $5 million, will you vote for this budget? She refused to answer. Again, she was going to vote “no” no matter what.
Supervisors are elected and paid to do a job. If one Supervisor refuses to do the work, the remaining four Supervisors still have an obligation. And that is what we have done. Four of us passed a budget of which you can be proud.
We created a solid budget that only goes up about 1.6% on residential property, and 2.7% on Ag land. Commercial property taxes actually go down about 0.7%.
The levy rate? That has gone down 3 of the last 4 years and 9 of the last 11! The Rural levy ranks 47 out of Iowa’s 99 counties. Debt? It is less than $10 million, and will go down for the 8thconsecutive year!
What does this mean? On a $100,000 house, the County portion of your tax bill will go up $6.02. Hardly “too high”. If you own a house, you should contribute to the common good. We do that through property taxes. I believe you are getting a very good value for your tax dollars!
And since when was a small budget increase a problem? Johnson County is home to one of the largest numbers of public employees of any county in Iowa. These employees deserve good pay, benefits, and working conditions. This cannot be achieved by cutting budgets.
So, here is one take on the budget: Last year, Supervisors Friese and Carberry were portrayed as unethical and stupid. This year, Supervisors Porter and Heiden are portrayed as unethical and stupid. Supervisor Green Douglass and I were portrayed as stupid and unethical both years. I happen to strongly disagree with this interpretation of events.
It is not just the Board of Supervisors, and not just the budget. Senators Bolkcom, Kinney, and Wahls are hurting us in Des Moines. Representatives Jacoby, Mascher, Lensing, and Nielsen all need to go. There is not a single Mayor or Councilperson in the County who does her/his job well. The Conservation Board is unethical. The Compensation Commission is stupid. The Sheriff and County Attorney are bad at their jobs. Other county employees are just lazy. ISAC is a corrupt organization. Our Mental Health Region is corrupt and incompetent. All of us are morally and intellectually inferior. She is right, and everybody else is wrong.
In the immortal words of They Might Be Giants: “I can shake my tiny fist and swear I wasn’t wrong. But what’s the use in arguing when you’re all alone?”
I am sure this long explanation will be viewed by some as an “attack” on Supervisor Rettig. I disagree with that characterization. There are real people whose reputations suffer needlessly from her criticisms unless someone pushes back.
What’s more, I have a vehicle here for speaking to the public. I feel some obligation to defend the 6 other Supervisors and countless staff who worked really hard to put this budget together. They are good people who used a fair process and deserve our thanks, not our scorn.
Everything I have laid out here is factual. I cannot explain why she voted against the budget – I can only repeat what she said on the record. Then I feel obligated to explain why I voted for the budget.
I am more than happy to discuss the budget in a public meeting. Frankly, that is the way I prefer doing it. But last time it was brought up, Supervisor Rettig stormed out of the meeting.
Again – I am very disappointed in the process, but I stand proudly by the outcome. The FY20 budget is something of which the residents of Johnson County can be proud!
You can find all sorts of County budget documents on the County website: www.johnson-county.com. You can also talk to Finance Director Dana Aschenbrenner by calling 319-688-8095. Please feel free to collect your own data, and come to your own conclusions.
*DID YOU KNOW? About 57% of Johnson County residents live in a home their family owns. 43% are renters.
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
March 7, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 3/12/19
In this edition:
*Saint Patrick’s Day!
*St. Patrick’s Day Trivia
*Bob Sullivan
*The Candidates
*God Loves Iowa City
*Senate Event
*Did You Know?
*Saint Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day on March 17! St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year. While not an “official” holiday, this day has long been celebrated heartily by my Irish family.
March 17 is a Sunday this year, so I have plenty of time to celebrate correctly! J Meanwhile, I hope each and every one of you is touched by a little luck o’ the Irish!
*St. Patrick’s Day Trivia
Here are some interesting St. Patrick’s Day facts:
*With 23 percent of the population of Celtic ancestry, Massachusetts has a higher proportion of residents of Irish descent than any other state, edging out New Hampshire (20 percent) and Rhode Island (18 percent). The remaining New England states -- Connecticut, Vermont and Maine -- also rank among the top 10 in this category, as do Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Montana.
*New York City has more residents of Irish descent than any city in the world, including Dublin! Boston, however, has the largest percentage of Irish residents of any large American city.
*22 - Gallons of beer consumed per capita by Americans annually. (The equivalent of 176 pints per year.) I used to bring that average up. Now I bring it down!
*9 - Number of places in the US which share the name of Dublin, Ireland's capital. Dublin, OH was the most populous, at 31,392, followed closely by Dublin, CA at 29,973.
*Bob Sullivan
March 17 holds a special place in my heart that goes beyond St. Patrick’s Day. That was also the birthday of my late father, Bob Sullivan.
Dad was a proud union man, Hawkeye fan, and Irishman. We were father and son, but also best friends. I can honestly say he was probably the most fun person I have ever known.
Unfortunately, he left this world much too soon, and never got the chance to meet any of his grandchildren. I miss him every single day, but especially on St. Paddy’s Day.
So, if you are looking for an extra toast on St. Patrick’s Day, allow me to suggest that you raise a glass to Bob Sullivan.
Happy birthday, Dad.
*The Candidates
I will be writing quite a bit about the many candidates for President over the next eleven months. I am sure you will agree with some of what I write, and you’ll disagree with other parts.
But if you are a Democrat, here is the thing: keep your eye on the prize. Remember that EVERY time you criticize a Democratic candidate, you are angering a group of fellow Dems.
Does that mean you cannot hold opinions? Of course not! But share these concerns in a way that is kind, not cruel. Remember that every Democratic candidate is far superior to the current President! And your criticism can help to bring down the Democratic nominee! So offer criticism if you must, but please do so with kindness. Tread lightly, please!
*God Loves Iowa City
Melissa and I attend St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. We joined the church in 2000. Both of us grew up Catholic (she much more than I) and both of us left the Catholic Church in the mid-80s during the heyday of Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jim Baker, and the rest.
We go to church virtually every Sunday, typically without incident. But last week, a visiting pastor said something very simple that stuck with me. He said, “God loves Iowa City. God loves Coralville. God loves this place.”
This short statement actually shocked me! Because in my line of work, in particular, I am always told how Iowa City and Coralville are Sodom and Gomorrah. Evil places unlike the rest of Iowa. A good dozen members of the Iowa Legislature believe this literally, and a good 60 believe it figuratively. There are a LOT of people in the State of Iowa who have bought into this rhetoric, and would love to see Iowa City and Coralville in flames. And they elect leaders who feel it is their job to attack our way of life.
But you know what? God loves Iowa City. God loves Coralville. God loves this place. When push comes to shove, all their attacks will not matter. Because we, too, are subject to God’s love.
It is amazing how a single sentence in a 75-minute-long service can stick with you. But this one did. And I am glad.
*Senate Event
Honestly, I rarely advertise this type of event. There are constantly political events being held in Johnson County. I do not mention most of them. I try to stick to events like the Democratic Party Hall of Fame, which honors longtime volunteers, or my own events (because I am selfish!)
But I am making an exception today. I was asked to run this by the Johnson County delegation to the Iowa Senate. And honestly, I just feel like these guys deserve a favor!
Senator Bolkcom has been carrying the progressive torch in Des Moines for 20 years. Senator Kinney is one of the most hardworking, honest, decent people you will ever find. And Senator Wahls – brand new, with huge shoes to fill – is really impressing me with his ability to communicate with a wide variety of groups. I owe these gentlemen more than a simple blurb in a newsletter! So here it goes:
Help us protect the Iowa Senate seat formerly held by Jeff Danielson! Governor Kim Reynolds scheduled the special election in this student-heavy district for Spring Break. We need to pitch in to keep this seat blue! Please join Senators Joe Bolkcom, Kevin Kinney, and Zach Wahls to raise funds for the Iowa Senate Democrats to protect this seat. We have a terrific candidate in Eric Giddens and need your help to get him to the Iowa Senate!
The event is Saturday, March 9 from 11-12:30 at Backpocket Brewing in the Iowa River Landing, Coralville. For more info see: https://www.facebook.com/events/1450986718364913/
*DID YOU KNOW? In the US today, there are 35 million residents who claim Irish ancestry. This number is eight times the population of Ireland itself.
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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