SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 17, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/22/22
In this edition:
*Money Matters
*DVIP Souper Bowl
*Free Income Tax Help
*Congratulations Charlie!
*Burying the Lead
*Bowl For Kid’s Sake
*Did You Know?
*Money Matters
Money matters in campaigns. If you donated to Jack Hatch and/or Fred Hubbell but have not donated to Dierdre DeJear and/or Ras Smith? Take a hard look in the mirror.
*DVIP Souper Bowl
The DVIP Souper Bowl is happening February 24th. Visit dvipiowa.org/events/ to purchase tickets.
*Free Income Tax Help
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is still available for qualifying low- to moderate-income workers in Johnson County. VITA provides free tax preparation assistance from trained volunteers from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, and College of Law. VITA services are available through Monday, April 12, 2022. This year tax returns will be completed virtually.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that 20 percent of American workers do not claim the refundable tax credits for which they are eligible, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a special benefit for working people with an income less than $57,414. Workers who qualify for the EITC and file a federal tax return may be eligible for a portion or all of the federal income tax taken out of their pay during the year. They may also receive additional cash back from the IRS. Even workers whose earnings were too small to owe income tax may be eligible for the EITC.
Trained student volunteer tax preparers help ensure that eligible taxpayers receive the EITC and any other qualifying tax credits. All volunteers are certified by the IRS in preparing returns and have had at least one tax course as part of their coursework or law training.
Electronic filing is provided so that taxpayers can receive their tax refunds quickly. Taxpayers who work with VITA volunteers to help file their taxes do not pay to have their returns prepared and do not pay to get their refunds.
Eligible households must have a 2021 annual income below $57,000. Those interested in free tax preparation and filing should call 319-335-0857 or emailvita@uiowa.edu. Translation services are available. More information is available at biz.uiowa.edu/vita.
VITA is a partnership among Johnson County Social Services, the UI Tippie College of Business, Iowa Center for Economic Success and GreenState Credit Union.
*Congratulations Charlie!
I saw recently that my friend Charlie Funk is retiring from MidWest One Bank. I have known Charlie since he moved to Iowa City over twenty years ago, and over time our relationship has grown in multiple ways.
First, I have long been a customer. I was a customer when it was Iowa State Bank and Trust, and have remained through the transition. Have you ever stopped to think how much MidWest One has grown? When Charlie started, the assets were $500 million. They are now above $6 billion, with offices in several states. Meanwhile, they have remained true to Iowa City, investing a tremendous amount in local real estate, creating hundreds of jobs, and being great community partners on too many things to mention.
There is another piece to the customer side, however, and that is simply how any given customer gets treated. I am always floored by the outstanding customer service my family and I have received at MidWest One. Every time – every interaction – without fail, is a positive experience. Certainly some of that commitment comes from the top, and that is due to Charlie.
Charlie and I worked together on the steering committee for the “Yes for Kids” bond vote in 2003 that built Tate High School, North Central Junior High, Van Allen Elementary, and made several improvements to other facilities. We bonded (pun intended!) over both being City High sports parents, and began communicating regularly. We have had some great political debates, typically agreeing on most things. When I got elected and began this weekly missive, it was Charlie who dubbed it, “Sullivan’s Salvos,” a name that has stuck.
Most importantly, Charlie is a good person who cares about his community and is committed to doing the right thing. He is honest, intelligent, and funny. I am proud of what he has accomplished, and I am proud to call him my friend! Congratulations, Charlie!
*Burying the Lead
I am always frustrated when a news article says, “The Board approved (blank)” when the vote was 4-1 or 3-2. There are two stories there, and one was completely ignored.
Yes, the vote passed. So something will happen (or not) because of that vote. That is the first story. But why did the dissenter(s) dissent? That gets into the details of the project, which some people may care about deeply.
It can also tell the public a lot about their Elected Officials. Perhaps one person consistently votes against things because she feels they are too expensive. That is good information to have about your elected officials.
It can also help you to find hypocrisy in Elected Officials. She voted “no” because this $100k project was too expensive, but then voted for 3 other $100k projects. What were the differences? How does she justify it? Do you see how important this information can be in evaluating the votes of elected officials?
Yes, 5-0 votes also deserve scrutiny. They can sometimes obscure group think, laziness, or even corruption. More commonly, there just isn’t much “there” there.
Even on 5-0 votes there can be differences of opinion from Board Members. We just very rarely ever get asked “why” we voted the way we voted.
I wish writers would take the time to discuss 3-2 and 4-1 votes. Sometimes that is where the real story lies.
*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? I got curious about the history of my new street address. It is named “Linn Street” because it headed to Linn County. Linn County, in turn, is named for Lewis Fields Linn, a Missouri Senator and strong proponent of Western expansion and development.
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 rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 10:57 AM
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