SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
December 23, 2024
Sullivan’s Salvos 12/26/24
In this edition:
*Happy New Year!
*Government Shutdown
*Federal Debt
*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 2025!
*Government Shutdown
(This ran two years ago in January of 2023. Most of it remains relevant today. The biggest takeaway? No other country does this! Why does the US? Let’s end this stupid practice!)
The fight over the Debt Ceiling is about to begin once again. Here are just a few things you should know:
1.) This is *NOT* about spending! That is done during the budget. This is about simply paying bills you have already accrued. If you feel spending is too great, address it at budget time.
2.) This is the fault of Republicans in the House of Representatives. No one else – just House Republicans. Democrats stand ready to pay our bills. Republicans are trying to tank the economy.
3.) What do these Republicans want? Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
4.) There are two additional people you can be angry with – Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. If they would have agreed to end the filibuster JUST FOR THIS MATTER, Democrats could have taken the issue off the table permanently. So whatever economic damage is done, they have blood on their hands.
Let’s hope the standoff ends quickly, with minimal damage. But please understand, this is *NOT* a political negotiation. It is akin to hostage taking.
*Federal Debt
One more thing about the federal debt? One quarter of the federal debt – from 1776 until 2021 – was accumulated during the first Trump administration. 25%!
*Salvos Salutes!
2024 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 nineteenth 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, exercise common sense, and look out for the less fortunate.
Without further ado, your 2024 Salvos Salutes go to:
Sue Campney: General Assistance is a county program that supports our poorest residents by helping with rent, utilities, and other expenses. Every day dozens of our neighbors, down on their luck, feeling there is nowhere else to turn, come to the county. And for over 30 years, Sue Campney was the compassionate person across the desk, making referrals and helping folks to get by. It is quiet, unsung work. But it makes life better for SO many people. Sue retired earlier in 2024. Thank you, Sue, for your years of assisting our most vulnerable residents.
Fiona Johnson: Johnson County Ambulance is pretty much unparalleled in Iowa. You will not find a more responsive, committed, innovative, better-trained, more thoughtful group. That all starts with Ambulance Director Fiona Johnson, one of the most amazing individuals I have ever met! Fiona is one of the finest employees and leaders you could possibly find. The Ambulance Service works 24/7/365, and literally saves lives almost every day. Trust me – we are all incredibly fortunate to live in a county where Fiona is in charge of this vital service!
Brad Friedhoff: Johnson County Conservation has been through a very emotional year. Longtime Director Larry Gullett passed away due to cancer. Another longtime employee was suspended. A group of county residents took up the cause of passing another Conservation Bond, which happened on November 6. Through it all, Conservation has been led by the steady hand of Interim Director Brad Friedhoff of Coralville. Brad is hard working, smart, and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. His leadership this year – and every year - has been amazing. Thank you, Brad!
Lindsey Jones: Johnson County suffered quite a blow when our former HR Director passed away. She was the only person who had ever held the job, and we were scrambling. Luckily, we were able to hire Lindsey Jones of North Liberty into the position! Lindsey has been absolutely fantastic, stepping in and learning everything she needed to learn while also putting fresh eyes on things. She has many positive changes, and really won folks over with her smarts, ethics, and hard work. Thank you, Lindsey! We are so glad you are here!
Jason Grimm: The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm is a really neat place. In addition to maintaining and interpreting our history, we have been able to put this public land to work sustainably growing food for people in need. Nobody deserves more credit for this than Jason Grimm of Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development. I remember when I first heard Jason’s name. Supervisor Sally Stutsman told me there was a young man at Iowa State from next door in Iowa County, and that he was a superstar! Sally suggested we work with him however we could. Sally was right on! Jason Grimm is a superstar, and we are extremely lucky to have had him and his team involved in the Historic Poor Farm! Jason founded Grow Johnson County, and has done amazing work in every way. Keep up the great work, Jason!
Erin Sullivan: Erin started as an intern at Johnson County several years ago, and we knew she was going to do great things. She has done exactly that, serving as the Director of Programs at Shelter House. Everyone knows that affordable housing is a huge crisis in Johnson County. But Erin is working toward solutions! She is at the forefront of helping to house some of our most vulnerable residents. And Erin never passes up an opportunity to educate someone who is short on the facts about housing and homelessness. Thank you, Erin, for tirelessly doing such important work!
Jessica Andino: Let’s stick with housing for a while. I was one of a number of people who helped Sally Scott, Mark Patton, Scott McDonough, and others to form the Affordable Housing Coalition almost a decade ago. Since that time, the AHC has really taken off, and that is due to the hard work and incredible energy of Executive Director Jessica Andino. This young lady has a motor, and it is always running! I do not know many people who squeeze more into a day than Jessica. She is also a wife, mother, business owner, Ph.D. candidate, soccer player – I could go on. I am so glad that Jessica is part of the fight to expand affordable housing in Johnson County!
Ellen McCabe: I said affordable housing was important, right? So we are also honoring Ellen McCabe, Executive Director of the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County. Ellen does a wonderful job of getting affordable housing projects across the finish line. The funding for affordable housing is often a complex mishmash of tax credits, local funding, and other sources. Ellen helps applicants to navigate the maze, and to get units built! (Ellen gets a double shout out because she knew me over 40 years ago and is still willing to work with me!)
Monika Jindahl: Dr. Jindahl of Tiffin is a highly decorated physician at the University of Iowa. She serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine; Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Program Director; Family and Community Medicine Psychiatry Residency Medical Director; and Medical Director of the GuideLink Behavioral Access Center. It is through her work at the GuideLink Center that I have come to know and appreciate Monika. She brings compassion and thoughtfulness to every interaction, and her guidance and hard work have made the GuideLink Center a huge success. Thank you, Monika! We are so lucky to have you!
Shelly Maherry: Shelly has done a wonderful job in her role as President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Johnson County. Despite the fact that she has been in her position a while now, I have really only gotten to know her in the last 3 years or so. I was actually quite involved when the Community Foundation was just forming – Dick Schwab kindly asked for me to participate, and I did so for several years. It is amazing how far they have come and how many lives they touch! Shelly is clearly a great leader, and it has been a pleasure getting to know her better.
Cady Gerlach: Better Together 2030 is an awesome set of goals for Johnson County. But the goals are bold, and will not be achieved without leadership. That is where Cady Gerlach comes in. Cady was the perfect choice to lead BT2030. She is smart, compassionate, and a great connector of people. Better Together 2030 has already accomplished a lot. There is much more to come! Look for Cady’s name to be at the center of it all.
Bijou Maliabo: I don’t know too many people who are involved in more things in this community! I have known Bijou’s mother for a long time. She once told me, “No one works harder than my daughter. The problem is, she doesn’t get paid for it!” I agree 100% with the first part of that statement. Second part? It’s called being one of the best volunteers I know! Thank you, Bijou, for your willingness to volunteer your time, and for giving it to so many good causes!
Wendy Zimmermann: The owner and operator of Get Fresh on Iowa Avenue, Wendy was determined to bring healthy food options to downtown Iowa City. She not only succeeded there, but has been a mainstay at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market for years. To top it off, Wendy has served an important function as President of the Iowa City Downtown District. It is a challenge to balance the needs of students, townies, businesses, governments, and all the other parties interested in downtown. It takes some skill, diplomacy, hard work, and perseverance. Wendy, of rural Solon, has done a great job, and earned herself a salute!
Seth Zimmermann: I don’t know if I have ever given a married couple separate awards before. But why not? Wendy’s husband Seth is a wonderful human being and hard-working community volunteer. In addition to Get Fresh and volunteering for environmental and Democratic Party causes, Seth works in Air Quality at Linn County Public Health. The more I watch Seth in action, the more amazed I am with all he accomplishes. Thank you, Seth!
Congratulations to all our winners!
*DID YOU KNOW? 272 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 @ 3:21 PM
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