SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
July 3, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 7/9/19
In this edition:
*No Salvos Next Week!
*County Attorney’s Office Moves
*County Fair
*Story County Politics
*Community ID Update
*Did You Know?
*No Salvos Next Week!
No Salvos next week, as I will be at a conference. I will report back on what I learn!
Expect your next edition of Salvos (dated 7-23-19) somewhere around July 18.
*County Attorney’s Office Moves
For the first time in 118 years, the Johnson County Attorney’s Office is in a new building. Starting Friday, July 5, the County Attorney’s Office is located on the 4thfloor of the MidWest One Building, 500 South Clinton Street in Iowa City. The new location is kitty corner from the Courthouse; I am told the new offices are just 750 steps from the old ones.
These new offices are a long time coming. Courthouse space has been inadequate for at least two decades. The County Attorney’s Office had several people sharing small offices; places where you had to go through one office to reach another; boxes of records blocking doors; and several ADA violations. More importantly, confidentiality was very difficult to achieve. There were no good places to do depositions, or for attorneys to even confer with their clients.
Most importantly, the Courts had nowhere to put additional judges. Johnson County has long been entitled to additional judges, but we have not had anywhere to put them. This has led to court cases in Johnson County taking far too long. Civil cases are routinely bounced so that criminal cases can take precedence; this can cause civil matters to take literally years to resolve. Justice delayed is justice denied, and Johnson County has not been meeting minimal expectations in this arena.
Of course, our hands have been tied. As you may recall, new Court facilities were a part of two previous failed Jail bond issues; a bond issue for the Courthouse alone failed after that. These votes definitely complicated the options the Board had moving forward.
But now we have a solution – though temporary. Our lease is for seven years, with 3 separate 3 year extensions available. Once the County Attorney’s Office is completely moved, we will begin creating additional courtroom space.
Congratulations to the Johnson County Attorney’s Office! You deserve this space! More importantly, congratulations to the people of Johnson County, who deserve timely justice!
*County Fair
The Johnson County Fair runs Sunday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 24. Yes, that is correct – for the second straight year, the Fair begins on a Sunday. I hope you get an opportunity to check it out!
I love the way the Johnson County Ag Association manages the County Fair. I am particularly fond of the fact that there is never an entry fee, and parking is free. In many counties, you would pay $15 to park and $10/head admission, if not more. That is $55 minimum for a family of four before you have even done anything!
Yes, it is typically hot out there. But that is why they sell ice cream! So, please stop out and enjoy the Fair. You’ll be glad you did!
*Story County Politics
When I first started as a County Supervisor, I found two people I could learn from in Story County Supervisors Jane Haliburton and Wayne Clinton. Jane was (is) an absolute force! Picture Elizabeth Warren as a County Supervisor! Wayne was (is) a smooth talker and beloved former Ames High teacher and coach, who won a Boy’s State Basketball Championship with a player nicknamed “The Mayor”. As much as we like to joke about the rivalry, there are several similarities between Story and Johnson Counties, and both Jane and Wayne were kind enough to advise me early in my career.
Haliburton and Clinton are both Democrats. I later served on a couple of committees with Story County Supervisor Rick Sanders, a Republican. Despite the difference in parties, I was always pretty impressed with Mr. Sanders. He is a nice guy who really looks out for all the people of Story County. Supervisor Sanders did good Legislative work, especially in the area of mental health. Rick debated a run against Steve King; I wish he had done so!
Now Rick has taken a job at ISU, and is stepping down from the Story County Board. The person appointed to take his place is State Representative Lisa Heddens.
Interestingly, I am also connected to Representative Heddens. Lisa was a young mom learning the ropes when I was with The Arc. We spoke often, and learned a lot together. She got very involved in the Central Iowa disability community, and earned the respect of everyone she met. Lisa’s outstanding advocacy led her directly to the job of State Representative.
Now that she is Supervisor Heddens, Story County becomes the first county in Iowa to have an all-female Board of Supervisors. In January, Johnson County became the first county to have 4 female Supervisors. (Story has a 3-person Board; Johnson’s Board is 5.)
Now the voters of Story County need to replace Lisa Heddens. The nominee to fill her seat is former Iowa City Mayor Ross Wilburn, who moved to Ames a few years ago. I am amazed at how connected I feel to Story County politics!
*Community ID Update
In recognition of the four-year anniversary of Johnson County’s Community ID program, the county will host a celebration event from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, at the Johnson County Administration Building. Brief remarks from Johnson County officials will begin around 4:30 p.m. The event will feature music by the Old Capitol String Band and light refreshments will be served. The anniversary event is free and open to the public.
The Johnson County Community ID is a local government-issued photo identification available to residents of Johnson County. Johnson County established the Community ID to ensure all members of the community are welcomed and able to fully participate in the economic and social life of the county. Since the program began on July 17, 2015, more than 1,500 IDs have been issued to residents.
Johnson County residents can apply for or renew Community IDs Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Johnson County Auditor’s Office, first floor of the Johnson County Administration Building. The fee is $4 for a child ID and $8 for an adult ID. Applicants must bring proof of residency and proof of identity in its original form. Application forms and a comprehensive list of accepted documentation are available at www.johnson- county.com/communityid. Community IDs for children are valid for two years. Community IDs for adults are valid for four years, so any IDs that were issued to adults on the launch day will expire this July 17.
Johnson County Community ID can be used at participating establishments to open a bank account; confirm identity when using credit cards; interact with schools, city and county agencies and law enforcement officials; and enjoy discounts offered by participating community businesses, institutions and partners.
*DID YOU KNOW? The County Seat of Story County is NOT Ames (population 69,000), but Nevada, population 7,000. Story County sits at a population of about 98,000 overall, 7thlargest 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.
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
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:18 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home