SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 26, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 12/31/19
In this edition:
*Happy New Year!
*Salvos Salutes!
*Did You Know?
*Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all Salvos readers! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful 2020!
*Salvos Salutes!
2019 is coming to a close, and it is time for honoring a few select Johnson County residents with that most treasured of honors, the Salvos Salute. A few observations:
* This is the fourteenth annual set of awards, and there are always more people who deserve awards than there are awards to give. We live in a great County!
* The focus is on Johnson County. It is certainly worth noting the daily heroism of someone like our firefighters, police, and paramedics. There are also examples that garner international attention. But we have everyday heroes right here in Johnson County that deserve a shout out.
* There are some people out there that could win every year. I am trying to honor different folks, but repeat winners are not out of the question.
* Salvos Salutes do not have specific criteria, but you can bet that in general, most of the winners are courageous, advocate for peace and justice, have good ideas, speak truth to power, avoid hypocrisy, and look out for the less fortunate.
Without further adieu, your 2019 Salvos Salutes go to:
Jim Throgmorton (again): I want my Mayor to be intelligent, compassionate, and progressive. Check! It has been a wonderful past 4 years! Iowa City needed Jim at exactly the moment he served. The city is headed in the right direction. Thanks, Jim – a rare two-time Salute winner!
Bob Welsh: I wrote the following when the Board honored Bob a few months ago: “I am not a young man, yet right around the time I was born, Bob began a crusade to improve the lives of Johnson County's neediest residents. Over the decades, thousands of people have lived better lives because of his work. No one has given more to the ‘least among us’ than Bob Welsh.”
Katie Roche: The campaign to make Iowa City “The Greatest Small City for the Arts” was a huge success, raising important money and awareness for the Englert Theatre, Filmscene, and their many collaborations. It was also a showcase for one of Johnson County’s real treasures, Katie Roche. If you get an opportunity to work with Katie, do not hesitate! Whatever the project, you can bet that if Katie is involved, it is cool, fun, and the right thing to do!
Jen Shearer: Bigwigs decided to put an end to the UI Labor Center. They did not anticipate the fight they got from students, faculty, and workers from across Iowa. Had they reviewed the previous work of Jennifer Shearer, they could have seen it coming. Jen is not simply a rockstar as Director of the Labor Center, but a top-notch organizer to boot. Jen is also steady progressive voice on local matters.
Janet Martin: Janet Martin is retiring from the Johnson County 4H program after many, many years of quietly shaping our young people. Janet is one of those people that simply puts a smile on my face every time I see her. She really cares about our children, and really works hard. Congratulations, Janet!
Alice Atkinson: Another retiree, Alice is stepping down from the Johnson County Conservation Board after 10 years of stellar service. Many people recall the 2008 Conservation Bond vote that brought $20 million into the county. (Plus leveraging over $20 million more.) I can guarantee you that does not happen without Alice Atkinson! Then, like always, Alice stepped up and gave her time, talent, and treasure. Thanks for your service, Alice!
Kevin Monson: You may not give a great deal of thought to the many municipal buildings in Johnson County. You may not think much about the buildings that house our many nonprofit organizations. So it makes sense that you might not realize how much Kevin Monson has given back to this community. Whether it is a donation of his considerable talents, volunteering his time, or contributing financially, Kevin Monson is a quiet, low-key hero. Thank you, Kevin, for all you do!
Lynn Gallagher: Activists, regardless of the topic about which they are passionate, should follow the lead of Lynn Gallagher of rural Solon. Lynn is a vegan, and staunchly opposes any mistreatment of animals. To Lynn, this includes farming animals for meat and milk. Lynn’s activism is often met with anger and bullying, but she is undeterred. I don’t know any activists who are better prepared and have studied the issues more carefully. Just as importantly, Lynn always follows every rule to a T, and is unfailingly polite.
Mark Nolte: Mark recently announced he was moving to Moxie Solar after spending the past 14 years at the Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD). Under normal circumstances, someone working at this type of big business employer group would not show up in Salvos. But ICAD and Mark are exceptions. As the primary leader of our local economic development efforts, Mark has been thoughtful, innovative, bold yet practical, and ultimately, successful! ICAD is not your grandfather’s economic development agency – and that is a good thing! I am certain we have not heard the last of Mark Nolte!
Mike Ryan (again): The people of Tiffin have had it very good for the past 8 years with Mike Ryan on their City Council. Since 2011, Mike has brought his plainspoken common sense to the government of our fastest-growing city. Mike is the best example I know of combining progressive, populist politics with down home, Midwestern common sense. He is a smart, decent man who has done a thankless job exceedingly well. Thanks, Mike!
Jon Green: I have often said that the toughest job in politics is that of small-town Mayor. There is no Administrator or Superintendent to whom you can assign the work. Small town Mayors chase down loose dogs, plow streets, and take on the weight of their neighbor’s problems 24-7/365. In the case of former Lone Tree Mayor Jon Green, he not only accepted these burdens, but managed to get his community of 1400 to begin thinking outside the box. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your outstanding leadership!
RaQuishia Harrington: North Liberty continues to grow at a rapid pace. When that happens, it is good to know that someone is looking out for those who growth can leave behind. North Liberty City Councilor RaQuishia Harrington is the perfect leader for this city in this moment. The more time I spend with RaQuishia, the more I realize how much we undervalue this incredible young lady. She could easily be a candidate for Governor or Congress. And probably should be.
Michelle Kenyon: The Executive Director of Field to Family, Michelle is a key mover and shaker in the local food movement. From farmers markets to the Food Hub to changes in county policy, Michelle is an important voice for local farmers and local eaters. Johnson County is at the forefront of the local food movement, and no one deserves more credit than Michelle!
IC Climate Strikers: When it comes to the most critical issue of our time, high school students have led the charge. The Iowa City Climate Strikers have made real change in their community. There is much work left to do – and I like our chances, given the presence of the IC Climate Strikers!
Lyz Lenz: She is not a Johnson County resident, but Gazette columnist Lenz has brought an important perspective to Eastern Iowa readers. Unabashedly feminist, Lenz makes no apologies and pulls no punches. In this time of diminishing local news and opinion, Lyz Lenz is a breath of fresh air!
Linda Herring (again): Linda Herring is retiring from serving as a first responder for the Tiffin Fire department, something she had done for over 20 years. She is also no longer going to be a foster parent, after having over 600 kids since being licensed in 1980. Let me say that again. SIX HUNDRED foster children! In addition, she has taken special needs kids that would often have gone to some sort of group care. An example is Linda’s daughter, Dani. Dani was born with only a brain stem in August of 1990. Linda took her into her home as a foster child, and was told she wouldn’t live more than a few months. Dani is now 29 years old. All I can say is God Bless you, Linda!
Congratulations to all our winners!
*DID YOU KNOW? 191 individuals/groups have received a Salvos Salute since they were started in 2006.
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.
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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 @ 10:09 AM
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