SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 23, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/28/19
In this edition:
*County Wins National Award!
*Lone Tree and Mayor Jon Green
*Rural Clean Up
*Rita Hart for Congress
*Did You Know?
*County Wins National Award!
The Johnson County Commission of Veterans Affairs has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
NACo recognized the Commission for its annual Veterans Appreciation Tailgate in the category of Civic Education and Public Information. Each year, area veterans and their immediate family members are invited to attend a free away-game “tailgate” event inside the historic Kinnick Stadium Press Box and watch a live broadcast of a University of Iowa Hawkeye football game. The event is hosted by the Commission to show appreciation for the area’s military veterans.
In addition to watching the game, attendees participate in the tradition of waving to the patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the end of the first quarter. Everyone is also welcome to walk out onto the field and toss around a football.
NACo will recognize award-winning counties at its 2019 Annual Conference and Exposition July 12-15, 2019 in Clark County, Nevada.
The Johnson County Commission of Veterans Affairs assists County residents who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, their relatives, beneficiaries, and dependents in receiving aid and benefits to which they may be entitled. The Commission also provides temporary emergency financial assistance to honorably discharged Johnson County veterans who meet eligibility criteria. The Commission is also responsible for the Johnson County Armory and Veterans Memorial. The Johnson County Veterans Affairs office is located in the Health and Human Services Building and can be reached at 319-356-6049 or gbosenei@co.johnson.ia.us.
*Lone Tree and Mayor Jon Green
As you may have heard, Lone Tree Mayor Jonathon Green caused a bit of a stir a few weeks ago when he called for a different form of government for the city. Green, who was elected in 2017, thinks Lone Tree ought to hire a full-time City Manager to handle city business.
A bit of background: Lone Tree sits in the “panhandle” of Johnson County, just south of Highway 22. Lone Tree is about 15 minutes from Iowa City and 20 minutes from Muscatine, making it a great location for a “bedroom” community. Unlike many cities its size, Lone Tree has its own K-12 school all on the same campus on the south side of town. The city enjoyed some decent growth from 1990-2010, but has stayed right around a population of 1350 for the better part of 10 years. Recently, the town’s only grocery store closed, its newspaper went away, and many locals fear for the ongoing viability of the school. Clearly, there are strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Mayor Green has handled the role of Mayor admirably. Serving as Mayor of a small town is the single toughest elected office to hold. You get to listen to every complaint, and there isn’t a staff upon which you can lean. After doing this for a while, Green decided the best way to move the city forward was to hire a city manager.
A city manager would be a professional with experience in areas such as sewer and water facilities, road maintenance, economic development, and more. She or he would be dedicated to advocating for Lone Tree for 40+ hours every week – something Green admits he cannot do.
Sounds great, right? Well, not all citizens are jumping on board. The problem appears to be the price tag. A decent city manager is going to cost at least $100,000 annually, and may be closer to $150,000. That is a lot of money in a small town with a small tax base.
Here is where I get frustrated. If you are one of the people who is concerned about growth and maintaining the school, then you should either: A) embrace Jon’s plan, or B) come up with another idea. But simply complaining without action is worthless.
If you think it would cost too much? That is fine. That is a totally legitimate position to hold. Come up with something cheaper that gets a similar result. Or stop complaining. But you don’t get to have it both ways.
This ongoing debate will be interesting. Certainly Johnson County wants to see Lone Tree thrive. And we are willing to consider helping where it makes sense.
*Rural Clean Up
Many Johnson County residents do some spring cleaning. For those who reside in unincorporated Johnson County, make sure you’re disposing of your waste properly through the Rural Cleanup Program.
Johnson County’s Rural Cleanup Program allows residents of unincorporated Johnson County to dispose of up to one ton of waste per household per calendar year at no cost at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center. The program is provided to encourage proper waste disposal and recycling and discourage burning and dumping of waste in rural Johnson County. Funding for this program comes from the Rural Basic Fund, which is a tax on unincorporated Johnson County for County-provided rural services.
Participation is limited to those who reside in unincorporated Johnson County. A residential structure must exist on the property of the resident wishing to utilize the program. To dispose of waste at the landfill through the Rural Cleanup Program a resident must either be listed in the property information database as the legal deed holder of the eligible property or present a state-issued ID which indicates that the individual wishing to dispose of waste resides at the eligible property.
If you are unsure if you are eligible for the program, contact the Johnson County Board of Supervisors Office before you go to the landfill at 319-356-6000 or bosoffice@co.johnson.ia.us.
Garbage must be separated from appliances, electronics, yard waste and recycling. No commercial business waste is allowed. The following materials are banned from entering the landfill: yard waste, cardboard, computer and TV monitors, tires, appliances, lead acid batteries and oil. These items must be properly recycled and handled through programs offered at the landfill. The County will not pay for or reimburse for the cost of these materials or any fines incurred. Hazardous materials waste disposal is not covered under the program. All hazardous waste taken to the landfill must be scheduled by appointment with the City of Iowa City by calling 319-356-5185. More information about disposal fees and recycling at the landfill is available at www.icgov.org/landfill.
More information about the Rural Cleanup Program is available at www.johnson-county.com/ruralcleanup.
*Rita Hart for Congress
Personally, I like the choices I have in the Democratic Party Primary race to replace Congressman Dave Loebsack. Most well-known among the candidates is former State Senator and Lieutenant Governor candidate Rita Hart.
I hear that some Democrats have been criticizing Hart. That is stupid, plain and simple. Don’t like her? Fine, work for someone else. Run yourself. Beat her in the primary. But don’t call yourself a Democrat and help the other side.
Meanwhile, I DO like Senator Hart very much! If you have not had the opportunity, please reach out to her on one of her many trips to Johnson County.
*DID YOU KNOW? Lone Tree’s 2018 population of 1399 ranks #218 of the 742 incorporated cities in Iowa.
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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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 2:03 PM
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