SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
October 19, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 10/25/22
In this edition:
*Early Voting
*You Have Another Job!
*RIP Mary Fisher
*Happy Halloween!
*DeJear for Governor!
*Roundabouts
*Did You Know?
*Early Voting
I ran this in Salvos last week. But it is important enough that it bears repeating:
Wednesday, October 19 is the first day you can vote early in Johnson County. I am of the opinion that voting early is really important. Here is why:
First, your party is spending resources to ensure that you get out and vote. The day after you vote, those resources begin to be utilized elsewhere. That only helps your party.
Secondly, if you somehow made some sort of mistake – for example, forgetting to sign your name – there is time for the Auditor’s Office to contact you so that you may correct it.
Finally, it reduces the odds of big lines at the polling places on Election Day, which can serve as a disincentive to some voters.
So, please vote EARLY beginning on Wednesday, October 19!
*You Have Another Job!
We just talked about voting early. That is great, but it is NOT going to be enough! If you really care about this election, you NEED to put in the extra effort to ensure at least one extra person votes.
Here is my advice: Don’t assume people are voting, especially young people. Also, don’t assume they have a workable plan. Talk to them NOW to get the voting plan in place. I am doing this now with a former foster daughter and her husband. It is a long and complicated process. So get started!
*RIP Mary Fisher
I was sad to learn of the passing of Mary Fisher of Iowa City. Mary devoted her career to helping others. She owned and operated Fisher Counseling and Therapy in Iowa City for over 20 years. Mary specialized in an underserved population and was a fierce advocate for her clients. RIP, Mary!
*Happy Halloween!
Halloween is Monday the 31st. I have been amazed in recent years by the amount of effort (and money) that goes into decorating homes for the season. When I was young, few homes displayed anything other than carved pumpkins. Now, there are huge blow-up characters, lights, and much more.
In 2022, consumers in the United States expected to spend an all-time high of 10.6 billion U.S. dollars for the Halloween season. Compared to 2021, this is an increase of about half a billion U.S. dollars. The average American spends $100 on Halloween!
Regardless of how you view Halloween, we need to remember a few key things: First, be careful! One thing that has not changed is an abundance of young children in dark costumes excitedly crossing streets. Secondly, you may want to temporarily take down your campaign yard signs. Despite annual accusations to the contrary, I still think most signs that disappear are teen pranks. Finally, have fun! Halloween offers all of us an opportunity to be young again.
*DeJear for Governor!
I hope you watched the Gubernatorial debate on Monday, 10/17. I thought Democrat Deirdre DeJear really did a nice job against Governor Kim Reynolds.
I was extremely frustrated by the way in which the moderators rolled over and let Reynolds bully them. Reynolds almost always spoke twice as long as DeJear, and when a question went to Reynolds first, she would answer, DeJear would speak, and then Reynolds would speak again. Reynolds also rudely interrupted on several occasions.
Why do I mention this? Because Reynolds showed her true colors. She is a bully. She thinks the rules do not apply to her. Those are very bad qualities in a President (see Nixon and Trump) and they are very bad qualities in a Governor.
Reynolds continues to break the law with impunity, every single day. What laws? Laws regarding public information. Laws regarding appointments to various Boards and Commissions. Laws regarding how certain funds can be spent. The list goes on and on.
Why does she do it? Because the people of Iowa continue to let her get away with it. It is shameful. We should be calling this out, and calling on it to end. Let’s all vote for Deirdre DeJear!
DeJear is smart, compassionate, respectful, and thoughtful. We NEED those qualities in our Governor! Please join me in voting Deirdre DeJear for Governor!
*Roundabouts
You have undoubtedly noticed the move toward roundabouts (sometimes known as “traffic circles”) in the Johnson County area. Johnson County has played a small part in roundabouts on Sycamore, Dubuque Street and North Liberty Road, and is 100% responsible for the one at Highway 382 and Ely Road. (I am probably forgetting others.) I expect to see even more of them in the future.
The era of modern roundabouts began in the United Kingdom in 1956 with the construction of the first "yield-at-entry" roundabouts. In 1966, a nationwide yield-at-entry rule launched the modern roundabout revolution. Australia and most other British-influenced countries soon built modern roundabouts. Locally, the trend that started in Coralville in the ‘90s, and now shows up at all sorts of traffic intersections in the area.
Some people detest roundabouts. It caused the defeat of City Councilors in Mount Vernon, where the jury remains out on whether or not they are a good thing. On the other hand, traffic control experts love roundabouts. Here is why:
First, safety. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, roundabouts have been shown to significantly decrease the number of crashes, particularly those with serious injuries. Every study shows the same thing- roundabouts result in less accidents.
Second, also safety. The collisions that do occur tend to be minor. Roundabouts make violent and deadly collisions unlikely. So not only do you have less accidents, but they occur at lower speeds. Additionally, the deadliest accidents are head on. Those are eliminated in roundabouts. T-bone accidents are also very dangerous; these, too, are made less likely.
Third, the environment. By reducing idling, ten circular intersections in Virginia were found to save 200,000 gallons of gas each year. You can sit for a long time at a stop sign or stoplight. In theory, if a roundabout is being navigated properly, you will not stop at all.
Fourth, efficiency. You actually get through roundabouts more quickly, as you never actually stop moving. In addition, there is no need to wait when no other vehicles are near the intersection. Studies show that commute times are reduced when roundabouts replace other traffic control measures.
I understand that change can be hard. But our charge as Supervisors is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Johnson County. I think roundabouts accomplish this. I also believe in making decisions based upon data. And in this case, the data is overwhelming.
So, if our engineers come to us urging an additional traffic circle, expect me to be in favor.
*DID YOU KNOW? The direct cost of the Civil War was about $6.7 billion in 1860 dollars,which would be $139 billion today. However, some economic historians believe the indirect cost (such as disruption of the economy) would measure approximately $46 trillion in current money.
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 @ 8:54 PM
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