SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
March 29, 2023
Sullivan’s Salvos 4/4/23
In this edition:
*RIP Becky Mills
*RIP Pete Kollasch
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
*Happy Easter!
*Democratic Party Hall of Fame
*My Gazette Letter to the Editor
*Born Too Late?
*Did You Know?
*RIP Becky Mills
I was shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Becky Mills of West Liberty. Becky served as the Business Manager for Johnson County Public Health for 32 years, retiring in 2018.
I’ll be honest… this is really upsetting to me. Becky and I developed a great relationship during our 13 years as coworkers. We weathered some storms – literally, in the case of the ‘08 floods, and figuratively, through the creation of the HHS Building and lots of personnel comings and goings.
She was funny and had a great laugh, and since she retired, I have often walked past Public Health and thought, “I miss Becky.” Now I really miss Becky. RIP, my friend.
*RIP Pete Kollasch
Another person I thoroughly enjoyed also passed recently. When I lived on East Court Street, Pete Kollasch lived on my dog walking route, and we spoke a couple times each week. Pete was a highly intelligent fellow who always had questions for me – often questions no one else asked. I always got the sense that he felt he was doing his civic duty by challenging me a little bit. I think he was, in fact, doing just that!
Pete was an avid environmentalist, and a great advocate for the natural world. He seemed to be at every environmental function, and he put in the time with his head, hands, and heart. RIP, Pete.
*Happy Birthday Jordan!
My daughter Jordan turns 29 on April 8th. Jordan works at a place very similar to Four Oaks (but much larger) called Youth Villages in Memphis, Tennessee. She has worked there ever since she graduated from college. She continues to get promoted, and is doing very well professionally.
In addition, she coaches area youth in basketball and track. Jordan was always a great athlete, and she is really having fun with the kids!
More importantly, Jordan is a really good person. Man, am I ever proud! Happy Birthday, Jordan! I love you!
*Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it! Please take care if you are travelling, and have a safe holiday.
*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 13 at 7pm at Courtyard by Marriott in University Heights.
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 2023 are: Sally Murray, Joe Bolkcom, and Mary Mascher. 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!
*My Gazette Letter to the Editor
The following is a letter to the editor I sent to the Gazette in response to a piece by conservative columnist Althea Cole.
Althea Cole seems to think legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community is no big deal. After all, as she noted, 52% of Iowans agreed with Governor Reynolds in a Register poll.
Fine. If living by Register poll is the way to go, I suggest that we poll Iowans as to what rights Ms. Cole can have. Sorry Althea - I know you wanted to vote, but 52% of Iowans were opposed. Sorry Althea - I know you wanted your doctor to perform that surgery, but 52% of Iowans were opposed. Sorry Althea - I think you deserve to earn more than $7.25, but 52% of Iowans were opposed. Sorry Althea - I know that person is the love of your life and you want to marry, but 52% of Iowans are opposed.
We are always told what wonderful people Iowans are, often by Cole herself. So walk the talk - let the people of Iowa decide what you may and may not do. After all, it is no big deal, right? It doesn’t mean we hate you… we simply disagree. Right?
*Born Too Late?
This article appeared in a previous edition of Salvos.)
Ever heard the old pop hit “Born Too Late”? The Poni-Tails took that song to #7 in 1958. Interestingly, I have often thought that perhaps I was “born too late”. (My wife would counter that I am a prematurely grumpy old man. But she can write her own newsletter!)
Why do I sometimes feel this way? I have a couple theories: Growing up on the farm, in the middle of nowhere, we were always a few years behind. I had a party line phone until high school, and had never even sampled any ethnic food (outside of Italian) until I came to college.
A second factor is that I used to hang out with my father when I was a kid. We had a relationship that was more like being friends than being father/son. He took me places and talked to me about things that kids typically did not experience.
What makes me “born too late”? A few examples:
· I believe in traditions, so long as they are not discriminatory.
· I believe people should respect their elders.
· I think 95% of all good music was recorded between 1955 and 1975.
· I like to wear my hair short.
· I prefer square bales to round.
· I listen strictly to AM radio.
· I hate the designated hitter rule.
· I am not nearly as tech savvy as I should be.
I am not ashamed of being “old school” in some areas. In fact, I wear it with pride. I am concerned, however, that some of the things in which I believe most deeply are becoming old fashioned.
When I was a kid, people believed in unions. Republicans and Democrats both belonged. Bosses made more, but not WAY more, than their employees. People had insurance in case something went wrong, and pensions for retirement. The average union family could own a home, send kids to college, take vacations, and perhaps get by with only one parent working. I hope I was not “born too late” for this to once again be the reality in America!
When I was a kid, there was a strong belief that government was a good thing. Government protected us (cops, fire, military, etc.) and was there when we needed it (ambulances, FEMA, etc.) Government ensured that the air and water were clean, that food and toys were safe, that roads and bridges were in good shape. We were proud of our public schools. People had faith in our elections and institutions; that faith was well deserved because it had been earned. I hope I was not “born too late” for this to once again be the reality in America!
I am most concerned about the idea that we are all in this together. Where I grew up, there was a long, long tradition of opening your home to a stranger needing help. Neighbors helped each other with chores. They cooked for each other when something bad happened. Churches, civic groups, clubs, softball and bowling leagues…we were connected. The idea of caring for your fellow man was never questioned; it was your DUTY. Unfortunately, this seems to be changing. I hope I was not “born too late” for this to once again be the reality in America!
We must not allow important pillars of our society to fade away as though they were fads like 8 track tapes or fondue pots. It is incumbent upon people who understand the importance of these institutions to speak up and speak out. None of us was “born too late” to do this!
As Alice Walker said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for!” No “Born Too Late” excuses!
*DID YOU KNOW? A few things that happened at approximately the same time as “Born Too Late” – The first American astronauts were named; Castro overthrew the Cuban government; Alaska became our 49th state; and Pele led Brazil to the World Cup Championship.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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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 @ 6:39 PM
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