SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
March 16, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 3/22/22
In this edition:
*Millionaires Versus Billionaires
*Road Embargoes
*Community ID Anniversary
*Democratic Party Hall of Fame
*Did You Know?
*Millionaires Versus Billionaires
The Major League Baseball lockout is over, as the players and owners have agreed to a new 5-year deal. I have always been 100% on the player’s side (the union side) in these arguments.
One of the most frustrating pieces of framing is what I used in the heading – “millionaires versus billionaires.” This may technically be true. But the key term here is team OWNERS. As owners, they reap the profits and make the rules. Payers are just hired help. (With very short shelf lives.)
And if we must view it through the lens of millionaires versus billionaires, please keep this in mind:
I find the following comparison helpful in terms of understanding the difference between a million and a billion: A million seconds is 11 days. A billion seconds is 32 years!
That last statistic has always been very helpful. People have a very difficult time wrapping their heads around the concept of a billion. Comparing a billion seconds to a billion dollars really helps.
I am glad baseball is back. But owners will never get any sympathy from me.
*Road Embargoes
One of the sure “signs of spring” in Iowa is the list of embargoed roads! Winter weather – primarily cycles of freezing and thawing – can do tremendous damage to roads. In order to allow counties to protect the taxpayer investment in these roads, State law allows County Boards of Supervisors to impose weight restrictions.
The chip seal/oil road systems are most susceptible to damage and are most likely to be subjected to embargoes. Although embargoes typically start and end with chip seal roads, we have put embargoes on gravel roads. Even paved roads may be embargoed. Late February through early May is a very common time for the county to post weight restrictions on county roadways. Once posted, the restrictions may be in effect for a period of ninety days. In the past, posted roadways have been limited to any vehicle less than 8 gross tons. Please check the county website for additional information regarding Board approval and weight restrictions for the 2022 embargo season.
The County Engineer may issue a special permit to individuals who demonstrate a need to move market farm produce of the type subject to rapid spoilage or loss of value, or the need to move farm feeds or fuel for home heating purposes. The issuance of a permit may allow certain vehicles exceeding the weight limit to operate on embargoed roadways.
We get asked for exceptions all the time, but please note - permits will not be issued for any other reason - including transporting construction materials or equipment that exceeds the posted weight limit. Operation of over-weight vehicles on restricted roads without a permit will be at the risk of prosecution. Using alternate routes where possible and breaking down loads into smaller units are methods encouraged to minimize damage to these roads.
Permits for qualified participants will be issued at the Johnson County Secondary Road Department at 4810 Melrose Avenue in Iowa City. The following information will be needed to complete the permit: vehicle license plate number(s), driver’s name(s), type of material being transported, and planned route or roads you plan to travel.
Again, for a list of embargoed roads, see the Secondary Roads page on the Johnson County website: https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov.
*Community ID Anniversary
April marks the seven-year anniversary of the adoption of a Community ID in Johnson County. There are almost 2000 people who have received IDs during this period.
First, a bit of history – the impetus for this came from the Center for Worker Justice (CWJ), a remarkable local organization dedicated to securing fair treatment for immigrant workers.
Like every other organization that has ever existed in Johnson County, the CWJ thought they should start with Iowa City and Coralville. Soon they realized that working with Johnson County might be a better avenue for getting this done.
A committee was formed, consisting of CWJ members, local labor leaders, and three Johnson County officials: Recorder Kim Painter, Auditor Travis Weipert, and County Attorney Janet Lyness.
We also had an ace in the hole when it comes to going through this process. UI Law Professor Stella Burch Elias specializes in Immigration Law. More importantly, she was centrally involved in the successful effort to create a Community ID in New Haven, Connecticut. Having her involved ensured that Johnson County follows applicable federal laws, and prevented us from reinventing the wheel.
The ID itself is a laminated card with a holographic image applied, the same size as a driver’s license. The cost to get an ID is $8 for adults, $4 for children.
Why do we need a Community ID? I have a very personal story. After years of doing nothing, a few years ago, the Board of Supervisors finally began taking action against the criminals that own Regency Mobile Home Park. State law severely limits the ability of the Board to intervene, but there were dozens of credible reports of fraud coming from Regency.
Johnson County detectives swooped in, gathered all the info they could, and began following up on leads. Then they ran into a stone wall. Most of the people they needed to speak with refused to talk to them. These folks saw law enforcement coming, and they went the other way – even when they were innocent victims!
I spoke at length with the lead detective on the case, and he said that this avoidance of law enforcement was common. When I asked why, he said it all came back to a lack of ID.
This illustrates the number one reason for instituting a Community ID – public safety. We need victims and witnesses to come forward in order to solve crimes and see to it that justice is served. The Community ID helps with this.
There are many additional benefits: immigrants can open bank accounts and cash checks; cardholders can access municipal services such as the library, rec centers, etc.; it can serve as a second ID for employment purposes; it can serve as an ID for local schools; the list goes on and on.
The Community ID is available to anyone who can provide the proper documentation. The bar is not as high as an Iowa Driver ID, but there are protections to ensure that the person is who they claim to be.
Johnson County is home to thousands of immigrants. China, India, Korea, Mexico, Sudan, Senegal, Honduras… the people of Johnson County are increasingly diverse. We need to do a better job welcoming these folks to our community. They are our future! I am proud that the County recognized this, and took this important action!
*Democratic Party Hall of Fame
Save the date! The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding our Annual Hall of Fame Awards event on Saturday, May 14 at 7pm at Brown Deer Country Club in Coralville.
Please join us for coffee, desserts, and plenty of old war stories! A cash bar will be available. Parking is free.
The Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 are: Karla Smith and Mat Matthes, Chris and Mike Weinard, and Carol and Roscoe Porch. We hope you can join us in recognizing this remarkable group!
Tickets are available for a $25 suggested donation. People who cannot afford that amount should still feel welcome, but please call 354-7199 so we can get a count.
Sponsorships are available at the following levels:
$100 includes two tickets
$250 includes 4 tickets
$500 includes a whole table (8 tickets)
$1000 includes a whole table (8 tickets) and lots of love!
Checks can be mailed to:
Johnson County Democrats
PO Box 1773
Iowa City, IA 52244
If you have any questions, please contact Rod Sullivan at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. We hope you will join us for a fun evening, and lend your voice to those who are honoring these very deserving people. We look forward to seeing you!
*DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County has over 900 miles of roads in the County system.
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 @ 5:35 PM
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