SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 25, 2025
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/27/25
In this edition:
*Happy Ramadan!
*Happy Mardis Gras!
*Vote for Ross Nusser!
*Congratulations Brad!
*Bernie Sanders in Iowa City
*Veteran’s Services
*Two Hour Delays?
*Our Rights at Risk!
*Iowa City Federation of Labor Annual Chili Supper
*Did You Know?
*Happy Ramadan!
Happy Ramadan to those who celebrate it! In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, February 28, and will conclude on the evening of Sunday, March 30, with the exact dates contingent upon the sighting of the moon.
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset.
*Happy Mardis Gras!
Tuesday, March 4th is Fat Tuesday, the 5th is Ash Wednesday, and Easter is 40 days after that. Sounds like a reason to celebrate! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
*Vote for Ross Nusser!
I support Ross Nusser in the upcoming election for Iowa City Council. I hope you do, too.
I have known Ross quite a while, and he is a really good human being. He has spent 13 years as a Board Member of Successful Living, which provides services to folks experiencing chronic mental illnesses. He has spent several years as a Board Member of Community and Family Resources, which provides substance abuse services. (You may have known it as MECCA or Prelude.) He was a Board Member of the Housing Fellowship, which provides affordable housing throughout Johnson County. He also volunteers at Friendly Farm in Iowa City. Ross is one of the founders of Urban Acres. Basically, a very good person.
Unfortunately, the campaign has been quite ugly. Ross is in recovery, and he will tell you his life was a mess before he started down the recovery path. I know this story well; my own family has been ravaged by alcoholism. It is why I gave up drinking long ago.
Some folks are presenting his past as a negative in terms of the Council race; I think it is a positive. Recovery is hard, and I admire those who are working to stay sober. It ain’t easy! Ross has valuable insights gained from his journey that will serve IC well.
Please vote between now and Election Day, Tuesday, March 4. All of Iowa City gets to vote in this election.
*Congratulations Brad!
Congratulations to Brad Friedhoff, who was recently named Johnson County Conservation Director. Brad had been acting as the Conservation Department’s Interim Director, and is truly one of the best people I know. He is going to serve us very well. Congratulations again, Brad!
*Iowa City Federation of Labor Annual Chili Supper
It's chili supper time!
WHEN: 6-8 pm, Thursday, February 27th
WHERE: Kirkwood Room, 515 Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City
WHO: Open to all local union members and friends of labor
WHAT: Food, friends, music, and solidarity! Delicious chili provided (meat and veggie options); bring a side dish if you like
WHY: Celebrate worker victories from the past year, honor contributions of local labor leaders, (re)connect with labor brothers and sisters, and prepare for the struggles ahead.
Help spread the word to union members and friends!
*Bernie Sanders in Iowa City
I was sad to miss Bernie Sanders at the Englert last Saturday. Unfortunately, our Bowl For Kids Sake event did not get over in time to allow for me to get in the door. But I am glad Senator Sanders paid us a visit. I am still very proud of the fact that I was the first elected official in the whole US to endorse Bernie back in 2015!
*Veteran’s Services
Johnson County recently changed the name of our “Veteran’s Affairs” office to our “Veteran’s Services” office. Rest assured; this name change does not impact any services in any way. The hope is simply that it will help clear up some confusion.
Since Johnson County is home to a large Veteran’s Affairs hospital, our local office is often confused with them. We get calls for the hospital, and they get calls for us. Other places around the country have already made the switch, and while not perfect, the reports are that it has helped.
So please say hello to Johnson County Veteran’s Services!
*Two Hour Delays?
Local schools had a number of two-hour delays in response to the -20 temperatures we saw last week. And that got me thinking… Why? What does a two-hour delay accomplish in those cases?
I understand it when we have a significant snow or ice event. In those cases, public and private entities need the extra two hours to make the paths to school safe. But the wind chills last week went from -20 at 7 am to -15 at 9 am. Does that really make a difference?
It seems to me that a two-hour delay for cold weather is actually a net negative for kids and caregivers alike. I am certainly open to explanations; I just don’t get it. Can someone with some expertise enlighten me? What are your thoughts?
*Our Rights at Risk!
Fellow Iowans – our rights are in danger!
Republicans in the Iowa Legislature have proposed HSB 242, which would change definitions sex and gender in state code, and limit language to the terms of “male” or “female” as assigned at birth. The bill would ensure that transgender and nonbinary Iowans have no legal protection against discrimination. The bill would also place restrictions on birth certificates, restroom use, and prohibit teachers from even mentioning the idea of people being transgender and/or nonbinary.
Sexual orientation and gender identity have been part of the Iowa Civil Rights Act since 2007. I know that well, because I ran for office in 2004 on the platform that Johnson County should adopt a Human Rights Ordinance. The Board adopted our Human Rights Ordinance (over many threats and objections) two years prior to the State doing so. State Legislators, led by Senators and Representatives from Johnson County, then used the Johnson County example – the world did not end in those two years! – as the basis for the State ordinance. I have always been tremendously proud of that fact.
And now, 20 years later, we have this: HSB 242 would make Iowa the first state in the country to remove a protected class from its civil rights code. What an ignominious first!
Much of the language in House Study Bill 242 is borrowed from a bill Governor Reynolds introduced last year. Thankfully, that bill never got a vote. But now, Representative Steve Holt is pushing hard to get this passed.
Holt, a truly despicable human being, actually said that “Separate accommodations are not inherently unequal.” That is almost word for word the language of Plessy versus Ferguson, the Supreme Court case that gave us 70 years of Jim Crow. Plessy is widely considered the worst decision in the history of the US Supreme Court, and it was basically overruled in 1954 by Brown versus the Board of Education.
Referencing Plessy brings up a point: it is entirely possible that large parts of HSB 242 are unconstitutional. And I am sure that if it passes, there will be several lawsuits. Hopefully, all will prevail. But in the meantime, it would be much better if it just didn’t pass.
So what can you do to stop this madness? Ultimately, the only way out of this mess is to throw the bums out. But we may still be able to stop this bill. I’d suggest calling and emailing the Republican members of the Iowa Legislature ASAP. Then work like hell to elect Democrats!
*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.
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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 @ 7:51 AM
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