SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 21, 2024
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/23/24
In this edition:
*Conservation Bond
*Memorial Day
*Memorial Day Origins
*A Shameful Memorial Day Fact
*Solon Fire Breakfast
*Graduations
*Vote for Sullivan!
*Endorsements!
*Did You Know?
*Conservation Bond
Big news! Johnson County is going to ask voters to approve a second Conservation Bond!
The first bond, passed in 2008, was $20 million dollars, and has funded 15 amazing projects over that time. These include the Clear Creek, Solon to Ely (aka Hoover), and Mehaffey Bridge trails; Ciha Fen and Cedar River Crossing near Sutliff; Pechman Creek Delta near River Junction; Cangleska Waukon and Two Horse Farm near the Reservoir; Melinda Reiff Reilly Prairie near Solon; and improvements to the lake at Kent Park near Oxford.
The total amount of land acquired is almost 1200 acres, and the bond has built almost 10 miles worth of paved trails. In addition, the bond has brought in an additional $17 million in grants and donations, creating a much bigger impact. There has also been significant flood mitigation as a result of these projects, particularly for residents of Coralville.
I am really proud of the 2008 bond. As some of you may know, it was my baby. I pitched the idea to former Johnson County Conservation Director Harry Graves on the back of a napkin at the Hamburg Inn in late 2006. The rest, as they say, is history.
And the 2024 effort could not be in better hands! A group has formed to push the bond vote – Our Land, Water, Future. Leading this effort as Co-Chairs are two friends of mine: former Johnson County Supervisor Pat Heiden, and Think Iowa City Director Josh Schamberger. I can’t think of two better people to lead this effort!
It is difficult to give an exact amount that this will cost taxpayers. For starters, we are still paying off the original bond. That costs about $11 per $100,000 assessed value. But because the original bond is almost paid off, this can slide in right after it. So in the first year, we project only a slight increase – a little over $3 per year per $100,000. In future years, the cost will depend on how much is borrowed and at what rate, as well as total valuations, so it is difficult to give exact numbers. According to our Finance Department, the amount taxpayers pay could even go down, depending on all the variables.
Voters will see this question on their general election ballots in November. The bond will require a 60% supermajority to pass.
I am excited! I hope you will join me in voting YES for Our Land, Water, Future! For more information please see: https://www.ourlandwaterfuture.org.
*Memorial Day
Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, and I hope you spend at least a part of it remembering those who have died while serving our Country. Happy Memorial Day to all!
*Memorial Day Origins
Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning- draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.
*A Shameful Memorial Day Fact
I really don’t know what to say about this. It is 2024, and this pisses me off: Nine states officially set aside a day to honor those who died fighting for the Confederacy in the Civil War: Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia.
“Hey, y’all! Let’s celebrate traitors who attempted to overthrow the US Government because they wanted to keep black people as property!” Can’t we do better?
*Solon Fire Breakfast
The annual Solon Firefighter’s breakfast is Sunday, May 26, 2024 at the new firehouse, 400 Windflower Lane. They will be serving all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage and ham from 6:30 am-12:30 pm. There will also be raffle items and kids activities.
*Graduations
Memorial Day Weekend means graduations. Congratulations to all our graduating seniors! Commencement has already taken place at the UI and Kirkwood, and the local high schools are graduating soon.
I know that Melissa (and others) accuse me of being overly sentimental when it comes to these types of things. That may be true. But graduation really is a milestone.
Certainly, what graduates do in the future is much more important than what they have done to date. But the fact is, they have accomplished something important. Let’s reflect upon it, and celebrate it! Congrats again to all the graduates!
*Vote for Sullivan!
Like most people growing up in rural Iowa in the 60s and 70s, I was raised to be humble. “Don’t toot your own horn,” was the phrase. But as an adult, I chose a profession that requires you to “toot your own horn” every four years if you want to keep your job. So if you will please indulge me, I want to use a few words to explain why I believe I deserve your support in the upcoming Supervisor Primary.
The following comes straight from my website: https://www.rodsullivanforsupervisor.com.
Rod Sullivan's accomplishments put Johnson County's people and their wellbeing at the center of his work. During his time in office, Rod has facilitated discussions, advocated and led changes that have improved the lives of tens of thousands of Johnson County residents. Those efforts include:
· Raising the minimum wage
· Increasing funding for affordable housing
· Creating the GuideLink Center
· Passing the Conservation Bond Initiative
· Passing the Human Rights Ordinance
· Creating the Free Tax Help Project
· Instituting the Buy Here Initiative
· Adding rural warning sirens
· Creating the Livable Community for Successful Aging Policy Board
· Creating the Local Foods Policy Council
· Adopting the Community ID
· Leading the transition to regional mental health care
From the very beginning, Rod has put the people and their community at the forefront.
· He provided steady leadership during the 2008 floods and over a decade later did the same during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
· He saved the Sutliff Bridge, preserved the Historic Poor Farm, and initiated the renaming of Johnson County after Lulu Merle Johnson.
· Rod started the 1105 Project with the gift of the old Public Health Building.
But it isn't just the people of Johnson County he fights for; it is also the land they live on. In his time, he advocated and passed the Sensitive Area Ordinance, Stormwater Ordinance, Wind and Solar Ordinance, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.
I’m proud of the work I have done. Moving forward, I plan to continue to focus on mental health, affordable housing, climate change, and more. I think we can accomplish more great things. That is why I would ask for your vote during the 2024 Democratic Primary.
*Endorsements!
I am incredibly honored to receive the endorsements of the Iowa City Federation of Labor, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Building Trades, and Laborer's Local 43!
Nothing makes me prouder than the fact that the working people of our county know I have their backs! Thank you, organized labor!
*DID YOU KNOW? Roughly 2000 Johnson County residents will be graduating from high school this month!
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 @ 4:37 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home