SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
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)
$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.
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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 @ 2:12 PM
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