SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
August 19, 2025
Sullivan’s Salvos 8/21/25
In this edition:
*Starting the School Year
*Zuri Starts Third Grade!
*West Nile Virus in JC
*Lone Tree Fall Festival
*United Way Community Needs Assessment
*Rally to Save Iowa History
*Jail Polling Results
*What Can I Do?
*Did You Know?
*Starting the School Year
I know January 1 is the official New Year, but in Iowa City, the New Year always feels like mid-August. Having lived here over 40 years, my circadian rhythms are set to a new academic year being the real new year.
Whether you live life by the semester or not, I hope you have a great academic year!
*Zuri Starts Third Grade!
My granddaughter Zuri starts Third Grade at Horace Mann this year, and our whole household is excited!
I love the improvements that were made at Mann! It is interesting; I was on the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) Committee that decided what the ICCSD would ask voters to approve in the huge 2017 bond issue. (I served on the bond campaign as well.) Mitch Gross (then a West High teacher, now the West High Principal) and I led the charge to ensure that as few schools as possible got closed, and that every school got improvements. The consultants would have closed Mann, Lincoln, Longfellow, Hills, and Coralville Central. We argued to not only keep those schools, but to invest heavily in them. Thankfully, our side won the day!
It is a bit ironic, because I never imagined that 8 years later, my granddaughter would be attending one of the schools we saved! But I am really glad she is!
Good luck, Zuri! Go get ‘em!
*West Nile Virus in JC
Johnson County Public Health has received a positive test for West Nile Virus on a mosquito sample from the week of July 27-August 2. The goal of the program is to monitor the presence of several species of mosquitos that can carry either West Nile Virus or Zika virus. There have been no reported cases of an infection in Johnson County.
“This is about awareness and prevention, by monitoring our numbers, we can detect and mitigate disease risk for our residents. We have not seen a surveillance test come back positive since 2023, so this is nothing to worry about, but review the ways to protect ourselves.” said Rob Thul, manager of the Environmental Health program at Johnson County Public Health. According to the CDC there has only been one case of West Nile Virus in humans reported in Iowa in 2025.
If residents are going to be outside there are simple ways to protect themselves and their family. Use an EPA registered insect repellent with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or PMD which can help prevent bites and are safe and effective. You can also wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Babies and Children under 3 years old should not use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD insect repellent. Stollers & Carriers can be covered with mosquito netting and clothing should cover their arms & legs.
Prevention of mosquitos spreading at home is simple - use screens on windows and doors and stop mosquitos from laying eggs in or near water. Empty anything that holds water weekly, like buckets, planters, toys, kiddie pools, birdbaths, as well as any trash containers, tires, etc. These containers should be scrubbed clean or turned over.
For more information on West Nile Virus & steps to prevent mosquito bites, visit https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html
*Lone Tree Fall Festival
The Lone Tree Fall Festival is August 22 & 23 in Lone Tree. This event is a great opportunity to share some good times with the fine folks of Johnson County’s “panhandle”!
*United Way Community Needs Assessment
Johnson County is one of several organizations that collaborated with the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties on a Community Needs Assessment. I am going to spend four weeks of Salvos highlighting four different areas of community need. This week: Youth Opportunity.
Some alarming stats:
*Only 50% of Johnson County 3 and 4-year-olds are in preschool.
*33% of 8th graders are not proficient in reading.
*41% of ICCSD students get free or reduced-price lunch.
Community Goals:
1. All children experience quality early learning, and start school ready to succeed.
2. All students are prepared academically for a wide range of careers.
3. All youth and their families have access to basic needs and social and emotional supports so children are ready to learn.
*Rally to Save Iowa History
The Save Iowa History Coalition, along with the Iowa Labor History Society, invite the public to join speakers and musicians at the “Reverse the Decision” rally to be held on Saturday, August 23, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn Street in Iowa City.
Historians and educators will speak at the rally about the value of the vast collections that connect Iowans to each other. Local musicians will add their voices. State Representative Adam Zabner will wrap up the rally with a call to action. A mock funeral for the State Historical Society’s Iowa City building will follow the rally.
The Save Iowa History Coalition formed when Iowa’s Dept. of Administrative Services announced it will close the State Historical Society of Iowa’s library and archives in Iowa City. The coalition’s goal is to keep physical records of Iowa history accessible to all, in both Iowa City and Des Moines.
The coalition started a petition to keep physical records of Iowa history accessible to all, in both Iowa City and Des Moines: https://chng.it/ChxYphz4Xc. The petition requests that funding be restored for the State Historical Society of Iowa Libraries and Archives. It currently has more than 4,000 signatures.
*Jail Polling Results
From KCRG TV: “A majority of people in Johnson County say they would support a bond referendum to build a new jail. That’s according to a survey report from the University of Iowa.
Johnson County Sheriff Brad Kunkel says the current building is “at the end of its life,” which is why he’s pleasantly surprised to see 74% of people surveyed say they are in favor of a new facility.
“It really gives me hope that we will get this across the finish line and I really think this is a signal that now is the time. The momentum is here,” says Sheriff Kunkel.
UI surveyed more than 750 people this summer and nearly 3 in 4 say they’d support building a new jail. Even more said they’d be in favor of a new facility after learning about the current conditions inside the building including overcrowding, deterioration, safety issues for staff and inmates, and non-ADA compliance.”
*What Can I Do?
Most of my conversations with Democrats over the past few weeks find people sharing deep concerns. They aren’t sure what is going to happen, and they aren’t sure what to do about it. I get it; I often feel the same way.
As for the “What can I do?” question? I actually have an answer. It may be unsatisfying, but I do know the answer. The answer? Work hard.
Let’s face it – none of us has much control over Donald Trump, or anything else. And it can make a person feel very powerless. What can we do? We control what we can. And one thing we can control is how hard we work.
Knock doors. Make phone calls. Write postcards. Write a letter to the editor. March in a parade. Make food for campaign staff and volunteers. Babysit for a person who plans on doing the aforementioned things. Donate money. Do something to help the cause.
A couple more thoughts… I have played a lot of sports in my life. Started as a little kid, and didn’t stop until I was over 40. Over that span, I played on some really good teams, and I played on a few really terrible teams. What advice would I give someone on a really good team? Work hard. Do your best. Have fun. What advice would I give someone on a really bad team? Work hard. Do your best. Have fun.
One more thought… There is an old Buddhist proverb that can also apply here. A student asked the Buddha, “What do I need to do to reach enlightenment?” The Buddha answered, “Chop wood and carry water.” The student then asked the Buddha, “What does one do once you reach enlightenment?” The Buddha answered, “Chop wood and carry water.”
What does this mean? There is really only one answer to the question, “What can I do?” And it never changes. Just work hard, do your best, and try to stay positive.
*DID YOU KNOW? The College Community School District includes most of northern Johnson County including Swisher and Shueyville. Most people think “College Community” refers to nearby Kirkwood Community College. In actuality, College Community is named after Western College, a college that existed from 1857 to 1919 just north of Shueyville.
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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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 11:32 AM
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