SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
January 27, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/1/22
In this edition:
*Iowa Caucuses
*Moving
*MLB Lockout
*Perverse Incentives for Supervisors
*Bowl For Kid’s Sake
*Did You Know?
*Iowa Caucuses
The 2022 Iowa Caucuses are being held on Monday, February 7th at 6pm. Unlike the Caucus that happens every Presidential Election Year, these Caucuses are a neighborhood party-building activity.
You are probably wondering about how COVID affects this event. First, I want to assure you that Johnson County Democratic Party Chair Ed Cranston, Caucus Organizer John Deeth, and the whole Johnson County Democratic Party team tried to no avail to get some type of Zoom or hybrid model. The Iowa Democratic Party said no. (UPDATE: The IDP came around! Caucuses will be virtual!)
Another twist: people are going to caucus in their new precincts. This will undoubtedly lead to some people going to the wrong place. Again, this decision was made in Des Moines, and not locally. The local folks are volunteers doing their best. ALL decisions are made in Des Moines, and ALL complaints should go to Des Moines.
Meanwhile, if you want more information, please visit the JC Dems webpage at https://jcdems.org
*Moving
As I have mentioned here before, my family and I are moving. I mean, we are talking 2.3 miles. In the big scheme of things, it is ridiculously close to where we live now. Most people wouldn’t even mention it.
But remember – as I have shared on numerous occasions, I am very sentimental. I tear up every time I hear Pomp and Circumstance. I love weddings, Homecoming, holidays… I am an old softy. So it is difficult for me to leave a place I have lived for 21 years without some reminiscing.
2326 East Court Street will always be the place we raised 50+ kids. It will always be home to my children. Where we played with the dogs, played soccer, tag, basketball, and more. Where the kids and I spent hours at the dining room table, struggling through homework. Where I tucked them all into bed. Where we danced to Beyonce, Britney Spears, Usher, and others whose names I have long forgotten.
We hosted a lot of great parties there. We hosted everyone from Members of Congress to homeless folks. We had particular fun every St. Paddy’s Day. We visited with people on the back patio. We plotted a lot of political actions out of that house. Some elected officials got their starts there. We ran a lot of GOTV out of there. It is where we met the World’s Best Neighbors and our dear friends Dan and Beth Daly. It will always be home.
And 2326 E. Court is a great place! It is a big house with lots of storage. It is one of the few areas in the whole ICCSD where kids can easily walk to school K-12. It has a huge, fenced back yard with some huge trees. It’s just that we don’t really need those things anymore. I sincerely hope someone new enjoys it as much as we have!
Meanwhile, we are very excited about our new place at 514 North Linn Street! It is also a large house, but in this case, the yard is just a postage stamp. Built in 1905, it has all kinds of great character. We have always wanted a big front porch where people could just drop by; now we have one! And we are pumped about being just a short walk from downtown!
Of course, the whole moving process can be stressful. That is why I want to give a shout out to Tom Larkin with Iowa Realty. Tom is a great friend and a great realtor! We couldn’t do this without Tom’s knowledge, kindness, patience, persistence, and friendship. Thanks, Tom!
Anyway, this whole process has been time-consuming, and that will not let up anytime soon. There is work to do at 514 North Linn, and we need to get 2326 E. Court ready to sell. So wish us luck!
*MLB Lockout
Usually right around this time of year, I let my readers know how many days remain until “pitchers and catchers report.” That is a reference to Spring Training for Major League Baseball (MLB), and a sure sign of spring.
But not this year. Owners have locked the players for 2022, and no baseball can take place until the owners and players can agree to terms. As you all know, I am a labor guy. But that is even more true when it comes to this situation. Let me explain:
1. Baseball owners enjoy an anti-trust exemption. Which is bullshit. This why minor league salaries are so low. If another league could start up and compete, baseball owners would have to behave better.
2. Owners are literally among the richest few people on planet earth. The average MLB owner is worth over $3 billion. The million-dollar salaries they pay players is a lower percentage of their wealth than what I pay the kid who mows my lawn.
3. Players have been getting a bad deal for years.
4. Fans don’t pay to see owners.
I remain firmly in the player’s camp. This is a labor issue, plain and simple. As the old labor song goes, “Which Side Are You On?”
*Perverse Incentives for Supervisors
The job of County Supervisor is one big perverse incentive. The biggest culprit? The public doesn’t pay attention and doesn’t care.
That creates some very perverse incentives for Supervisors. See a place where you can save $10,000? You can be the bad guy and try to do something about it, but the incentive is to ignore it, sit back, and smile. Everybody notes that you are a nice Supervisor. Recognize that a person isn’t doing his job? You can be the bad guy and try to do something about it, but the incentive is to ignore it, sit back, and smile. Everybody notes that you are a nice Supervisor. Notice a wasteful or inefficient practice? You can be the bad guy and try to do something about it, but the incentive is to ignore it, sit back, and smile. Everybody notes that you are a nice Supervisor. Every raise, every job re-evaluation, every vehicle request, everything. Just say yes to everything.
None of these things – standing alone – is really a big deal. But there can definitely be a cumulative effect. Little things add up. Pretty soon, you really aren’t doing right by the people that pay you.
Look, I get it – we have a $125 million+ budget and 550 employees. To some extent, you have to pick your battles. But the public needs to be assured that at least 3/5 Supervisors care about each of these items. If not, County Government just doesn’t work.
But nobody pays any attention. So there is no incentive to do the right thing. This really is not about County Supervisors – it is about the public. I really wish somebody – anybody – gave a shit.
*Bowl For Kid’s Sake
The Sullivan for Supervisor team is once again raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County by Bowling For Kids’ Sake.
BBBS is trying several different things to get bowlers to participate: You can bowl in person (like normal) but masked and distanced; you can get a rain check and bowl later in the year; you can bowl virtually using an app; or you can compete in an online trivia contest.
I am not going in person this year. That is sad, because it is the second year in a row after a streak of about 16 consecutive years. (Ironically, BFKS was one of the last things we did in 2020 before COVID hit.)
But we are still going to raise money! Because BBBS is REALLY important! Statistics show that having a trusted adult mentor makes an unbelievable difference in the life of a child. Kids with BBBS matches do better academically, are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. This simple idea WORKS.
Please contribute to the Sullivan for Supervisor team at:
https://ca-p2p.engagingnetworks.app/22705/bfks2022/129989/sullivan-for-supervisor
*DID YOU KNOW? Pitchers and catchers were supposed to report on February 14, 2022. That is extremely unlikely at this point.
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 rodsullivan29@gmail.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
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 @ 10:05 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home