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-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 1:18 PM
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