SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
March 31, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 4/5/22
In this edition:
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
*Happy Ramadan!
*First Family of County Government
*Honor for Johnson County!
*Honor for EMA!
*Congratulations Marcia!
*Primary Field is Set
*ARPA Funds at Work!
*Did You Know?
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
My daughter Jordan turns 28 on April 8th. Jordan works at a place very similar to Four Oaks in Memphis, Tennessee, and has done so ever since college. She continues to get promoted, and is doing very well professionally.
More importantly, she is a really good person. Man, am I ever proud! Happy Birthday, Jordan! I love you!
*Happy Ramadan!
The Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan runs approximately April 2 - May 2. All my best to those of you who celebrate it! Ramadan Mubarek!
*First Family of County Government
It is County Government Week, and to celebrate, Johnson County is highlighting one of “first families” of County Government, the Phillips family of Iowa City.
Lori Phillips worked in the Sheriff’s Office for 35 years before retiring, holding a variety of different positions along the way. Lori’s husband Dave Phillips has been a Custodian with Johnson County for 13 years. Daughter Jessie Beck has been a General Assistance Specialist in our Social Services Department for 11 years. And son Kyle Phillips has worked for a few years in the Auditor’s Office – he is the person you see taking the minutes at Board Meetings.
Four members of the Phillips family – doing 4 completely jobs, all at Johnson County. Each one a wonderful person and a wonderful employee. It is an honor to be able to highlight their service as a part of County Government Week!
*Honor for Johnson County!
Johnson County has been selected to receive the United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties’ Game-Changer Award – for Financial Stability!
The United Way recognized the commitment of Johnson County to our community. They said, “Specifically, your response to the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding the General Assistance (GA) guidelines to serve a larger number of households will make a huge impact on the stability of our neighbors.”
This is very near and dear to my heart, as I have long been a supporter of expanding GA services. It is a huge benefit to our poorest residents, but previously, it was just too limited. We are now able to help hundreds of additional people who were truly needy, but earned a bit too much to qualify. I am tickled that someone noticed!
The award will be presented at the United Way’s 2021-22 Community Celebration on Wednesday, April 13th, at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Doors will open at 4 PM, with presentations beginning at 4:30 PM.
*Honor for EMA!
The Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) was selected for the 2022 Iowa Public Health Association Partner of the Year Award.
The “Partner of the Year Award” recognizes an organization, agency, or business beyond traditional public health settings that has contributed to the health of Iowans. Nominees are organizations that have engaged in successful cross-sector collaboration, developed shared goals, leveraged funding and investments, and/or empowered communities.
Congratulations to Johnson County EMA on this well-deserved award!
*Congratulations Marcia!
Congratulations to Marcia Bollinger, who is retiring March 31 after 33 years as Neighborhood Outreach and Public Art Coordinator for City of Iowa City. That is a long time to serve the public! Congrats, Marcia, and enjoy your retirement!
*Primary Field is Set
The filing deadline has come and gone, and the races are set for the June 7 primaries. Let’s take a look.
Johnson County will have a new County Attorney next year, as Janet Lyness chose not to run for reelection after 16 years in office. Democrat Rachel Zimmermann Smith, who has served several years as a County prosecutor, is the only candidate in the race.
Johnson County will also have a new Treasurer next year, as Tom Kriz chose not to run for reelection after 24 years in office. Democrat Scott Finlayson, who has served several years as a Deputy Treasurer, is the only candidate in the race.
Recorder Kim Painter is running again, unopposed.
There are seven candidates for County Supervisor; four in the Democratic Primary, two on the GOP side, and one no party candidate. You will choose two in the primary and two in the general. Those candidates are Democrats V Fixmer Oraiz, Seth Zimmermann, Jon Green, and Mallory Hellman, Republicans Phil Hemingway and Jammie Bradshaw, and no party candidate Eric Heick.
Senators Kevin Kinney and Zach Wahls are both seeking reelection, albeit in very different looking Districts.
Senate District 45, currently occupied by the retiring Joe Bolkcom, has two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination – Janice Weiner and John Raley.
House District 89 features Democrats Tony Currin and Eleanor Levin.
House District 90 features Democrats Adam Zabner, Christine Wolfe, and Andrew Dunn.
House District 91 is a new District that lumps Tiffin, Oxford, Swisher, Shueyville, and some surrounding rural areas with all of Iowa County. Democrat Elle Wyant of Marengo filed here, while no less than SIX GOP candidates will fight it out.
Incumbent State Representatives and Democrats Dave Jacoby and Amy Nielsen are unopposed.
There is one statewide primary on the Democratic side – that is for Secretary of State, where Eric Van Lancker of Clinton County faces off against Joel Miller of Linn County.
On the federal level, Christina Bohannan is unopposed on the Democratic side as she gears up to challenge Republican incumbent Marianette Miller Meeks.
Abby Finkenauer, Mike Franken, and Dr. Glenn Hurst will all appear on the Democratic ballot for US Senate, while incumbent Chuck Grassley will have to hold off State Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City.
I will be making some endorsements in some of these races very soon. Please do your homework before you cast your ballot!
*ARPA Funds at Work!
Johnson County Public Health (JCPH) will expand its capacity to help those in the community who are most in need by hiring two additional community health nurses. The expansion is a result of Johnson County’s investment of funds received from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
JCPH works to promote, protect and improve the safety, health and well-being of Johnson County. A primary focus of ARPA funds is to provide resources for governments to address longstanding health disparities that were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to evolve, community health nurses will work to meet the changing needs of residents and improve health outcomes in Johnson County.
The community health nurses will work to: Promote, maintain and improve healthy lifestyles; reduce the burden of chronic disease for at-risk and underserved populations; address current and emerging health issues; provide outreach to marginalized populations; expand JCPH’s ability to conduct offsite and mass vaccinations clinics; and support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19.
The Board of Supervisors voted to invest $106,346 for Fiscal Year 2022, which ends June 30, 2022. A total of $638,078.40 has been allocated over four Fiscal Years.
More information about ARPA and how it impacts Johnson County is available at https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/arpa.
*DID YOU KNOW? At a population of 156,000, Johnson County is the perfect size for 5 seats in the Iowa House of Representatives. Each of those contains about 31,000 people. Johnson County sits at 2.5 Senate seats, and will need to reach a population of about 186,000 by the 2030 census to get a third full Senate District.
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 @ 12:52 PM
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