SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 6, 2021
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/11/21
In this edition:
*Congratulations Barbara Wilson!
*Foster Care and Adoption Month
*Happy Anniversary National Public Radio!
*Table to Table News
*Democratic Party Nominating Convention
*Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties
*Did You Know?
*Congratulations Barbara Wilson!
Barbara Wilson, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois, will be the next President of the University of Iowa. Wilson is the third woman to hold the position, and the 22nd person overall.
Wilson received her BA, MA, and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, so she knows Big Ten country. Her appointment is for 5 years at $600,000 per year.
I know some people who were intimately involved with this process. They really like Wilson. Clearly, the process this time was far superior to the fiasco that occurred last time. I am very excited for this fresh start!
The Presidency of the University of Iowa is a very big deal in this state! Congratulations to President Wilson!
*Foster Care and Adoption Month
May marks National Foster Care and Adoption Month. As many of you know, Melissa and I have 3 adopted children, and served as foster parents for another 50 + children. We surrendered our license in 2018 after 20 years.
Unfortunately, the need did not go away. In fact, it may be greater than ever. Even if you do not feel you can serve as a foster parent, help us to recruit others. We need families!
You can learn more by visiting Four Oaks Family Connections at: https://iowafosterandadoption.org.
*Happy Anniversary National Public Radio!
NPR is celebrating 50 years as of May! I absolutely LOVE NPR, from the news to the stories to the comedy. I find every bit of it wonderful. And the factual bent is more important than ever! Sometimes I’ll change channels to listen to a sporting event or to grab some local flavor. But in most instances, my radio dial is on NPR.
I grew up listening, too. My mother’s first cousin (Doug Brown) was a pioneer with NPR. He had a long career at WOI in Ames, and even though it didn’t always come in, my Granny listened to him religiously.
So happy anniversary to one of my favorites! NPR is supported by donations from listeners like me. I hope you will consider joining me as a sustaining member!
*Table to Table News
Twenty-five years ago, retired teacher and leader, Frank Lalor, helped found Table to Table—Iowa’s first food rescue organization. Imagine, wrapping up an incredible career as an educator and deciding to dedicate the next 25 years to improving the community in a new way. Table to Table has been yet another educational endeavor for Frank, a lifelong learner. What is a community food rescue program, if not first and foremost an endeavor to educate people on food waste and hunger?
Together, Frank and a group of community leaders sought to alleviate hunger in our community while also reducing the environmental impact of food waste. Frank speaks of its inception as “merely a good idea whose time had come.” Frank’s son, Jerry, remembers that first donor phone call in Frank and Jeanette’s kitchen when Frank exclaimed “Hot Dog! We got one!”
Since his first delivery in the family station wagon in 1996, Frank’s passion and commitment to the work has never waned. He has continued to work with Table to Table in our daily mission, serving as the liaison to Iowa City Free Lunch Program and collected ingredients for a well-rounded meal for more than 100 Free Lunch diners per day. He also delivers donations from key partners and has delivered more than 60,000 pounds of food a year on his routes. Most years, Table to Table rescued food 365 days because Frank showed up every single day to deliver any food remaining in storage. Empty refrigerators at T2T are a hallmark of the operation. We built upon Frank’s example to ensure all of the food we collect is delivered to people who will eat it by the end of the day.
Over the years, Frank has helped build a coalition of 50 nonprofit partners, 100+ food donors, and hundreds of community volunteers. At the end of each year, staff has come to look forward to Frank’s short retrospective, “It’s been another good year! We filled all 365 days with at least one pick-up and delivery. Congratulations to us all--staff and volunteers--for this remarkable and satisfying achievement! We have done well in meeting our mission: of collecting and distributing food for the hungry, homeless, and others at risk.”
Buoyed by his constant encouragement, volunteers have delivered 25 million pounds of food and fed tens of thousands of our neighbors. With this incredible milestone met, Frank is retiring from his role at Table to Table.
Since we can’t yet convene in celebration of Frank and all of his incredible work, please consider writing a note to Frank and sending it to Table to Table. Stay tuned for additional ways we will recognize Frank as we celebrate him and 25 amazing years.
*Democratic Party Nominating Convention
The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding a Nominating Convention Tuesday, May 11 at 5:30 pm at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. The purpose of this convention is to choose the Democratic Party Nominee for County Supervisor in the upcoming June 8 election.
Delegates to this convention are the delegates who were elected at the 2020 Iowa Caucuses. People who were elected as alternates at the 2020 Caucuses may be seated if delegates do not attend.
Republicans are holding a convention on Saturday, May 8. Some independents are circulating petitions. Then we have an election on June 8!
*Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties
If you’ve been wanting to learn more about solar and get it affordably, you’re in luck. Johnson County along with JC Conservation is offering a series of learning events called Solar Power Hours. Some of you may remember this program as “Solarize Johnson County” in 2018 and 2020.
Well, it’s back bigger and better. Johnson County connected with our friends to the north, Linn County and other local groups, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, to give everyone in the two counties and West Branch another opportunity for solar education and affordable solar. Through Johnson County’s earlier programs 221 households added solar! This is just one way we try to bring clean energy and savings to our county.
The next few Solar Power Hours (via Zoom) are May 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. and May 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. You can sign up at www. linnjohnson.growsolar.org for one of those events or choose a time later in the summer. You can get an estimate from the local installer if you want, and then you have until Aug. 31 to decide whether solar is right for you
By the way, with the new Guidelink Center, there are now six solar arrays attached to county buildings!
*DID YOU KNOW? There have been six Special Elections for Supervisor since 1998. In 1999, Carol Thompson replaced Joe Bolkcom, who was elected to the Iowa Senate. In 2010, Janelle Rettig replaced Larry Meyers, who had passed away. In 2013, John Etheridge replaced Sally Stutsman, who was elected to the Iowa House. In 2016, Lisa Green Douglass replaced Terrence Neuzil, who had moved out of state. In 2018, Royceann Porter replaced Kurt Friese, who had passed away.
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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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 2:08 PM
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