SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
November 7, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 11/12/19
In this edition:
*RIP Betty Sass
*RIP Brad Stiles
*Veterans Day
*Local Election Results
*National Adoption Month
*Did You Know?
*RIP Betty Sass
I was sad to hear that former Deputy Treasurer Betty Sass passed away. Betty was a wonderful woman; below is what I wrote when honoring her with a Salvos Salute in 2013:
“We will honor a big group of folks who retired this year, led by our Deputy Johnson County Treasurer. Betty Sass spent over 60 – that is correct, 60- years working for the people of Johnson County. She told me the best improvements over her tenure were: 1.) Typewriters; 2.) Air conditioning; 3.) The indoor smoking ban. Longevity offers very interesting perspectives. And while the quantity of her years is amazing, the quality is even better!”
What a lady! RIP, Betty. Your smiling face will be missed by many.
*RIP Brad Stiles
I was shocked to hear of the recent accidental death of Brad Stiles of Iowa City. Stiles was the founder of River City Dental, where his “Smiles by Doctor Stiles” motto rang true.
Brad was my dentist for a couple of decades, until insurance matters forced me elsewhere. Dr. Stiles was a real pioneer on the patient side of dentistry. River City was the first dental office in Johnson County to do evening appointments. It was the first to offer headphones to patients. Brad came up with lots of little differences that really mattered to people.
I know Brad primarily through his volunteerism with The Arc. Brad was a longtime board member who gave very generously of both his time and his money. His kindness was on display both there and at the Iowa City Free Dental Clinic, where he was a founding member and volunteered more than any other dentist.
Brad was a proud Democrat and a bit of a hippie. (OK, a lot of a hippie!) Bottom line, he really did do his part to try to bring peace and justice into the world. RIP, Brad.
*Veterans Day
Happy Veterans Day on November 11. Thanks to all the men and women who have served our country. I appreciate your service, and wish you peace.
Veterans For Peace Chapter #161 is sponsoring an Armistice Day Observance to be held on Monday, November 11th in the public square area of the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. Bells will be rung at 11:00 AM, as they rang around the world at the end of WWI in 1918 and on each November 11th for decades thereafter. Armistice Day is a day to promote PEACE and to remember the victims of war, both veterans and civilians.
The event will feature Veterans For Peace from throughout the state of Iowa. The event is free, and the public is welcome. For more information, go to website vfp161.org. After the Observance, attendees are invited to a free lunch, socializing, and open mic at Meeting Room A of the Iowa City Public Library.
Coleen Rowley and Danny Sjursen will be joining us for the Armistice Day events. Coleen is the former FBI lawyer who was a whistleblower regarding the FBI’s failure to act on intelligence that could have prevented the 9/11/2001 attacks. Danny is a retired Army Major who served several deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, has taught at West Point.
They will also be giving a University of Iowa Lecture Series lecture at 7:30 PM on November 11th at the Senate Chambers of Old Capitol.
*Local Election Results
Congratulations to the winners of the local City Council and School Board races.
Turnout was much higher than normal in Solon, where many residents feel the school board unnecessarily attacked the teaching staff last year. Lone Tree also saw higher than normal numbers of voters. One downside of the combined school/city elections is that it is difficult to pull apart turnout numbers. Countywide, that number is about 14%.
While there have certainly been years that had worse turnout, I think we need to call these vote totals what they are – abysmal. Of course, Iowa Election laws are specifically designed to limit voting by students, seniors, people with disabilities, and people of color. So we have much work to do on the turnout front.
It is easy to see why people choose not to run; why subject oneself to the headaches of governing? While I understand this thinking, I am certainly glad that not everyone feels this way. Our government does not function unless people step up to fill these roles. My sincere thanks to everyone who ran, win or lose.
*National Adoption Month
November has been named National Adoption Month and November 20th National Adoption Day.
The need out there is tremendous. In Johnson County alone, there are between 100 and 150 kids in foster care every day. There are nowhere near enough foster and adoptive homes to meet the need.
As many of you know, Melissa and I are the parents of three adopted children. We also served as foster parents to 50+ children, stopping two years ago.
It has been a life full of tragedies and triumphs. It has not always been easy, but it has been indescribably fulfilling. Along with marrying my wife, it is the best decision I ever made.
If you or someone you know is interested in foster care and/or adoption, please let me know. I am always happy to speak with prospective parents.
*DID YOU KNOW? Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
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 @ 1:39 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home