SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 21, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 12/27/22
In this edition:
*Happy New Year!
*RIP Claudine Harris
*Salvos Salutes!
*Did You Know?
*Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all Salvos readers! I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a wonderful 2023!
*RIP Claudine Harris
I was sad to hear of the passing of Claudine Harris, 96, of Iowa City. Originally from France, Claudine had witnessed what happened in Europe in the middle of the 20th century, and was committed to ensuring it never happened again. To that end, she was a dedicated member of the League of Women Voters and Johnson County Democratic Party.
Claudine was best known, perhaps, as a formidable advocate for better mental health care in Iowa. Claudine was the most focused, informed, dogged, persistent advocate I have ever met – and I have known many!
She served on numerous county and state commissions, and she absolutely made the world a better place for people with mental health issues and their families. RIP, Claudine!
*Salvos Salutes!
2022 is coming to a close, and it is time for honoring a few select Johnson County residents with that most treasured of honors, the Salvos Salute. A few observations:
* This is the seventeenth annual set of awards, and there are always more people who deserve awards than there are awards to give. We live in a great County!
* The focus is on Johnson County. It is certainly worth noting the daily heroism of someone like our firefighters, police, and paramedics. There are also examples that garner international attention. But we have everyday heroes right here in Johnson County that deserve a shout out.
* There are some people out there that could win every year. I am trying to honor different folks, but repeat winners are not out of the question.
* Salvos Salutes do not have specific criteria, but you can bet that in general, most of the winners are courageous, advocate for peace and justice, have good ideas, speak truth to power, avoid hypocrisy, and look out for the less fortunate.
Without further ado, your 2022 Salvos Salutes go to:
Joe Bolkcom (second honor): Joe Bolkcom, my State Senator since 1998, is retiring. Joe Bolkcom is my friend, a mentor, a fantastic public servant, and a great guy. Joe was also a Supervisor - almost certainly the most transformative Supervisor in the modern history of the Board. I have written before about how I sit in the same seat Joe occupied. Every single day I try to live up to his standard. I rarely achieve that standard, but I am honored to have the opportunity to try. Meanwhile, thanks again, Joe. You have been a great State Senator, and I truly appreciate all your work.
Mary Mascher: State Representative Mary Mascher is retiring after 28 years in the Iowa House. I remember talking to some elected officials from western Iowa at a statewide conference. They said that at all the big fundraising events, speakers would say, “Do you want to turn over control of the State to radicals like MARY MASCHER?” They would really over-emphasize her name, like the deep-voiced radio announcers. And the crowd would vociferously boo at the sound of Mary’s name. You know why that is? Because Mary has guts! She challenges those guys (they are almost all guys) and calls them out. If they dare debate her, she crushes them. Understand – not every State Rep does this. Many avoid conflict. Others aren’t rhetorically capable. Many don’t care deeply enough. Not Mary! Mary fights the fight and she wins the fight! This is a huge loss for the people of Johnson County. But I am happy for her, and wish her all the best. Thanks, Mary, for an amazing, triumphant Legislative career!
Pat Heiden: Supervisor Pat Heiden is retiring after serving one term on the Board. Pat has a great temperament for being an elected official. Far too many elected officials take every disagreement personally. Others make disagreements personal when they need not be. Not Pat. Pat is always professional, calm, and cool. I have really grown to like and admire Pat. I now consider her a good friend. I will miss her both personally and professionally. Thank you for your service, Pat! Congratulations on your retirement!
Tom Kriz: County Treasurer Tom Kriz is retiring after serving for 24 years.
I have tremendous respect for Tom Kriz. He has been an innovator, but Tom is also old school. Work hard, be honest, and treat people right. It is a formula that still works! Thank you for your service, Tom! You are a good man! Congratulations on your retirement!
Janet Lyness: We have been very lucky to have Janet Lyness as our County Attorney. Janet is unbelievably kind, caring, and thoughtful. Janet has led the way in many important areas, from jail diversion, to drug court, to mental health court, to marijuana diversion, to creating GuideLink, to working with victims of domestic violence, to helping people get their driver’s licenses reinstated, to investigating racial disparities in the system… Janet has made Johnson County a better, safer, more just, more decent place to live. Thank you for your service, Janet! Congratulations on your retirement!
Ron Scheiffer: My friend Ron founded Reach For Your Potential (RFYP), an agency dedicated to serving people with disabilities, way back in 1990. Ron wanted to create an environment of the sort to which he could send his own children and be proud to do so. He accomplished all that and more. Now he has retired, and left a lasting legacy of compassion, kindness, and care. Thanks, Ron!
The Mill: There was no place quite like the Mill. Unfortunately, 2022 saw the final demise as the wrecking ball took down this Iowa City icon. Many fantastic musical acts played the Mill stage. Many people filled up on all-you-can-eat spaghetti. Lots of people stopped in for a drink, and that moment in some way changed their lives. Poetry, politics, pizza… the Mill was legendary. RIP.
Brian Loring (second honor): A tip of the cap to Brian Loring, who retired after a long career as the Executive Director of Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County (NCJC). Brian led NCJC through lots of growth, innovation, and some turbulent times. Bottom line? His work has improved the lives of thousands of Johnson County residents – including my own children. Brian is truly one of the good people in Johnson County. I am proud to call him a friend. Congratulations, Brian – you deserve it!
Diane Dingbaum: Diane worked right alongside Brian at NCJC, spending a lifetime serving needy kids and their families. Diane also retired this year, and deserves a big shout out for her years of good works. Congratulations, Diane!
David Osterberg: Thinking back upon my years as a Supervisor, I feel as though we have won some important victories that have greatly improved the quality of life in Johnson County. These include our Sensitive Areas Ordinance, Conservation Bond, fighting for better TIFs, and raising the minimum wage, just to name a few. And in pretty much every case, the Iowa Policy Project was an important ally in these victories. David founded the Iowa Policy Project in 2001 precisely because well-intentioned elected officials needed help. His background in all things environmental plus his service in the Iowa Legislature gave the organization instant credibility. Congratulations, David! Enjoy your retirement!
Peter Fisher: Peter also retired from the Iowa Policy Project (now Common Good Iowa). I cannot count the number of times I called him, flustered by a talking point from the other side, only to have Peter calmly talk me down. I truly spent hundreds of hours in my career going through materials Peter provided. Peter helped teach me how to think about the policy issues that affect Johnson County. He made me, and many others, better public servants. If you like the policy direction of your local elected officials, you can probably thank Peter Fisher.Congratulations, Peter! Enjoy your retirement!
Randy Hausler: Congratulations to Randy Hausler upon retiring after over 37 years as the Youth Ministries Director at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. During that time, Randy has joked and played around, but also accomplished the very serious work of trying to help generations of young people to get on the path of leading a moral life. The Hauslers were very welcoming to our family when we arrived at St. Andrew over 20 years ago, and have maintained that warm, welcoming attitude ever since. With sincere gratitude and appreciation, thank you Randy for your service!
Jill Foens: Imagine spending all day, every day, working with the neediest families and children in our community. Could you do it really, really well for 35 years? Could you do it in such a way that everyone you have ever met has deep respect for you? Jill Foens has done exactly that. Jill is retiring after a long career with the Iowa Department of Human Services. Kids always connected with her and always respected her – including kids who really didn’t respect anyone. The woman was just damn good at a very difficult job, and I respect the hell out of her. Congratulations, Jill, on your retirement! You earned it! Thank you for your many years of service to our most vulnerable families and children. You made a difference!
Anji Jordan (second honor): South District SSMID, baby! If you do not know what that means, you will! Iowa City native and South District resident Angie Jordan has things cooking in her neighborhood, and you are invited! Expect more big things from Iowa City’s South District in 2023!
Todd Dorman: Gazette columnist Dorman hits all the right notes. He calls out lies, he points out hypocrisies, and he calls it as he sees it. Meanwhile, he punches up, not down, and defends those with little voice in our decision making. Things are bleak, but there is still some excellent journalism out there. If you are not reading Todd Dorman’s columns in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, you are missing out!
Temple Hiatt: Unfortunately, the State of Iowa passed a terrible Constitutional Amendment this past November. Known as the “gun issue,” it will make the regulation of firearms next to impossible. There were many great people who did all they could to stop this misguided vote. Chief among them was Temple Hiatt from Moms Demand Action. An Army vet, Temple went from group to group, explaining the dangers of this passing. Though the measure passed statewide, it lost 67-33 in Johnson County, largely due to Temple’s efforts. Thanks, Temple!
V Fixmer Oraiz: V won election to the Board of Supervisors, and will be the first trans person to serve in elected county office. I really enjoy working with V, and I think they will do a great job for the people of Johnson County.
Congratulations to all our winners!
*DID YOU KNOW? 242 individuals/groups have received a Salvos Salute since they were started in 2006.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 12:01 PM
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