SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
January 12, 2023
Sullivan’s Salvos 1/17/23
In this edition:
*RIP Tom Baldridge
*Congratulations Andrew Dunn
*MLK
*ICAP and IMWCA
*Elected Official Seniority
*Did You Know?
*RIP Tom Baldridge
I was sad to hear of the passing of Tom Baldridge of Iowa City. I met Tom through Democratic politics, and he was a fascinating person. An Iowa City native, Tom graduated from City High and the UI, then served in the US Army during the Korean War.
After his military experience, he joined the US Foreign Service, serving in Switzerland, Algeria and Laos, before returning to the U.S. He worked for Iowa Congressman Ed Mezvinsky, then worked as Executive Director of the Council for International Visitors to Iowa Cities (CIVIC) and the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council. I had the opportunity to meet with guests from CIVIC on many occasions, and it was always a wonderful experience.
Tom was a member of Veterans for Peace, a longtime and fierce Peace advocate, and a true gentleman. RIP, Tom.
*Congratulations Andrew Dunn
Congratulations to Andrew Dunn, who was appointed to the Iowa City Council on Tuesday night. While I am not happy with the way this played out – I prefer to see voters pick their leaders – I look forward to working with Andrew.
Interestingly, Dunn becomes the youngest member of the Iowa City Council since David Peret way back in ’75-’83. Peret was a local boy, and also the last full-time UI student to serve on Council.
*MLK
Monday, January 16 marks the federal holiday celebrating the birthday of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. I am so pleased that our country has chosen to honor this great man, and I hope you enjoy the holiday in his name. As usual, the Board of Supervisors did a proclamation in his honor.
We would like to think America has come a long way since the 60s. After the 2016 and 2020 elections, I’m not certain I feel that way any longer. Race was a HUGE issue in the 2016 election, and the team the racists supported won. In 2020 and since, overt racists have felt emboldened to do and say almost anything.
Look at America today. Black Lives Matter is a response to the epidemic of black men being killed by police. The US Supreme Court killed much of the Voting Rights Act, and they are likely to kill Affirmative Action. Black women die in childbirth at ridiculous rates. Black men are more likely to go to prison than college. The list goes on and on. Our society still has a deep racial divide.
We also need to recognize that King was a radical. America grudgingly accepted racial reforms because they were less dangerous to the status quo than the other issues King championed – namely economic justice. King took seriously the Biblical teachings that the love of money is a sin, and that rich men will not be welcomed into Heaven. (King was a Democratic Socialist!) He proposed seismic changes to the political and social structures that exist in America. In addition, King was adamantly anti-war. He was NOT beloved by all in his day; he was jailed 29 times! To the status quo, he was the most dangerous man in the world.
Take some time this week to read some of the great books that are out there on Dr. King. More importantly, take some time to read the things he wrote himself.
And if you are so inclined, there are several worthwhile local celebrations. The University of Iowa has several events. You can see their complete schedule at: https://mlk.uiowa.edu. The City of Iowa City has a different list of events at: https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=017149913589735429698:jr4labhtnz8&q=https://www.icgov.org/city-government/departments-and-divisions/equity-and-human-rights/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2023&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjghcvh76T8AhUUVDUKHVl5AVUQFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1JCwaTxS3q--5OaCuHsrKp. Perhaps we can merge the two lists for next year!
One particular event is the community is invited to participate in a Unity March and Celebration in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, January 16th, 2023.
This community-wide unity event will begin with the march at 9:45am at the Eastdale Plaza located at 1700 S. 1st Avenue. The march will end at Mercer Park - 1317 Dover Street where the program will begin at 10:00a.m - 12:00 noon.
Community leaders and community members will pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the spirit of unity his life and legacy inspires. Service projects running concurrently. Lunch will be served!
We have SO much work to do. We cannot forget that. But we also need to take the time to celebrate our successes. Happy MLK Day!
*ICAP and IMWCA
Johnson County participates in two separate insurance pools. The Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP) partners exclusively with local insurance agents to provide property and casualty coverage to nearly 800 Iowa public entities, including 74 of Iowa's 99 counties. The diverse membership of the Pool includes Iowa cities, counties, townships, 28E organizations, emergency management agencies, empowerment boards, county fairs, transit authorities and more. Because Johnson County is self-insured, we benefit tremendously from joining an employer pool. ICAP is headquartered in Iowa and has representatives located throughout the state.
Kudos to former Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White, who helped to create this arrangement in the 1980s. It has saved Johnson County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.
The Iowa Municipal Workers Comp Association (IMWCA) insures over 500 Iowa municipalities for worker’s compensation insurance. Again, because Johnson County is self-insured, we benefit tremendously from joining an employer pool. Because of our own outstanding safety efforts and our relationship with IMWCA, Johnson County saves taxpayers over $500,000 per year! That is correct! We save over half a million dollars per year, every year!
Insurance is not sexy, but it is extremely important. Making mistakes in terms of insurance coverage can be catastrophic. This is true in your personal life, and it is true in the operations of local government. I am happy to report that Johnson County is doing very well in terms of our insurance coverages and expenses!
*Elected Official Seniority
We all know there was a lot of turnover in our local elected offices this year. Well, my good friend and political savant John Deeth has quantified it.
Below is the list of elected officials representing all or part of Johnson County who have been in office the longest. Note – this does NOT include Township Trustees. So, by seniority:
1.) 40 years - US Senator Chuck Grassley. (In office much longer, but only represented Johnson County as a US Senator.)
2.) 30 years - Louise From. University Heights council 1993-2005, mayor 2005 to present (except for a one year gap in 2016).
3.) 26 years - State Representative Dave Jacoby, dated from winning Coralville City Council in 1997.
4.) 24 years - Johnson County Recorder Kim Painter, elected in 1998.
5.) 22 years - Tim Kemp - Hills council 2001, Hills Mayor 2011-present.
For what it is worth, I like four of them a lot! Thanks for the interesting bit of info, Deeth!
*DID YOU KNOW? Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was one of only 8 members of the US Senate (all Republicans) to vote against the MLK holiday back in 1983. Grassley is the only one still in office.
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 @ 8:19 AM
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