SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 21, 2024
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/22/24
In this edition:
*No Salvos Next Week!
*DVIP Souper Bowl
*Bowl For Kids Sake
*Night of 1000 Dinners
*Sullivan for Supervisor Fundraiser
*Spreading Salvos Love!
*The Politics of Bridge Building
*Did You Know?
*No Salvos Next Week!
There will be no Salvos next week – Wednesday, February 28 (dated 2/29). Expect your next edition in your inbox on Wednesday, March 6 (dated 3/7). Thanks!
*DVIP Souper Bowl
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)’s 27th Annual Souper Bowl Fundraiser will be held on February 29th, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center from 5:30-7:30 PM. The event will be back in person, with drive-through and delivery options available. “Soupporters” will be able to choose from several soups donated by local restaurants.
For over 40 years, DVIP has partnered with the community to support victim-survivors and provide safety solutions. As DVIP and other victim service programs face funding cuts, “this event is vital because it provides the financial support to ensure our advocates are there when victim-survivors need them,” said Alta Medea, director of community engagement. “In addition, the Souper Bowl demonstrates that we, as a community, support and believe victim-survivors. This event shows them that they are not alone.”
This community event raises funds for victims of intimate partner violence, human trafficking, stalking, and harassment in the counties that DVIP serves. The “Souper Bowl” was created by Executive Director Kristie Fortmann-Doser to challenge the myth that more violence occurs against women around the NFL Super Bowl.
To buy tickets see: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/D_ryE6RcXBsChCG7FIkr9Q
*Bowl For Kids Sake
The Sullivan for Supervisor team is once again raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County by Bowling For Kids’ Sake.
BBBS is REALLY important! Statistics show that having a trusted adult mentor makes an unbelievable difference in the life of a child. Kids with BBBS matches do better academically, are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. This simple idea WORKS.
Please contribute to the Sullivan for Supervisor team at:
https://bbbsjc.bbbsfundraise.org/bfks2023/myhq
*Night of 1000 Dinners
Unfortunately, I cannot attend due to a meeting. But I am glad to see that Night of 1000 Dinners is going strong!
Join the Johnson County UNA on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 6:00 pm for a community celebration of International Women’s Day. The in-person International Buffet with the Program will begin at 6:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Coralville.
There will be an international buffet, entertainment from diverse cultures, and recognition of groups advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal #3 Good Health and Well Being: Healthy Kids Clinic, Youth Crisis Stabilization Program (UAY and CommUnity), Emma Goldman Clinic, and Four Cs (Community Coordinated Child Care).
Tickets are $25 ($10 for students and people with limited income). Donations are gratefully accepted to support participation by community members. To buy tickets or make a donation: https://N1KD23.eventbrite.com
*Sullivan for Supervisor Fundraiser
Please join us for the Sullivan for Supervisor Campaign Kick Off!
The event will be held Thursday, February 22 at The Green House, 505 E. Washington St. in Iowa City.
The event will run from 5:00 - 6:30 pm, with remarks at 5:40.
Please join Rod Sullivan as he kicks off his 2024 County Supervisor reelection campaign. There will be food, cash bar, and lots of great conversation!
Can’t make it but still want to contribute? Please send a check to:
Sullivan for Supervisor
514 N. Linn St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
or visit the website at: rodsullivanforsupervisor.com.
*Spreading Salvos Love!
I have been sending Salvos out since I began as a Supervisor in January of 2005. (Actually, the first couple editions came out in December of 2004, just before I took office.)
The newsletter was not named “Sullivan’s Salvos” at that time; that name came from my friend Charlie Funk. Meanwhile, over the past 996 weeks, subscribers have received around 975 issues of Salvos. (I have missed a few weeks for family vacations, etc.)
I really wasn’t certain that I would be able to maintain this volume of writing. And I’d be lying if I said it was easy. But it is a bit of a labor of love.
Hopefully, folks have found it interesting. I have been intrigued by the responses. A couple dozen folks have unsubscribed in protest over one issue or another; some have returned, but not all. There are a handful of folks who offer their thoughts frequently; I really appreciate this! Two or three people actually respond at length on occasion; I feel as though I have made a couple of friends this way! Most subscribers stay subscribed, but I don’t really know if they read it or not. And that is OK.
I have not done much to increase readership since those earliest weeks. The number of subscribers quickly grew to about 550, dropped off to around 500, and has remained within about ten of that number ever since.
Johnson County is a very transient community, and it is truly remarkable how many people come and go. Unfortunately, 60+ readers have died during this span. Many of my readers no longer subscribe because they moved away. And just as people go, new people arrive. I know there are people new to Johnson County who might be interested in subscribing. Given that, I decided to reach out a bit – hence this article.
I ask that you please do me a favor. Forward this edition of Salvos on to a few friends. Encourage them to sign up. I’d like to add a few new readers to the mix.
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for reading! I look forward to your feedback in the future! It has truly been a pleasure!
*The Politics of Bridge Building
I find that there are often disconnects between reality and the political narratives we choose to embrace. The issue of rural bridges is a good example of this disconnect.
First, a bit of background: every Iowa county has hundreds of miles of gravel roads. In addition, many of these roads have multiple bridges. Some are concrete, some are steel, and some are timber, but they all serve the same purpose. We replace a few of these bridges every year, and I can tell you the cost is pretty much always between $800k-$1,200,000, depending upon the length.
These bridges are lifelines for the people who live in the area. This is how farmers get to their fields. This is how farmers get to town. The rural economy functions best when these bridges are well maintained.
In addition, there is a public safety factor. Fire trucks, ambulances, and Sheriff’s vehicles need to be able to access the residents of the area via a quick and direct route.
On the other hand, the cost of these bridges adds up. Say we set aside $4.0 million for these bridges each year. That is the same cost as two brand new miles of paved road, or the rehabilitation of 6 miles of paved road.
Some of our paved roads see thousands of cars every day. Often these gravel roads have traffic counts as low as 20 cars per day. Needless to say, many people feel it is foolish to invest so much money in these bridges when the total traffic counts are so low.
I understand both sides of the argument. But time after time, I have come down on the side of the farmer. I have served as a Supervisor for over 19 years. In that time, Johnson County has never permanently closed a bridge. I am extremely proud of that fact!
But you won’t find a bunch of farmers singing my praises. In fact, you’ll find the exact opposite; farmers talking about how much they hate my work as a Supervisor.
Here is where the disconnect comes in. Washington County – with more farms than Johnson County – has closed bridges. The Washington County Board is made up 100% of conservative Republicans. But they have closed bridges.
Cedar County is the same way. The Cedar County Board is made up of 100% conservative Republicans, including the Chair of the Iowa Republican Party. But they have closed bridges.
Like many areas of our politics today, the realities of bridge building do not match the political narrative.
*DID YOU KNOW? Johnson County maintains 211 bridges of 20’ or longer.
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.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan29@gmail.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
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 @ 6:54 AM
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