SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
October 6, 2025
Sullivan’s Salvos 10/9/25
In this edition:
*Follow Up on Free Speech Event
*City Council Endorsements
*Positivity
*Shout Out to West High!
*ADA Works
*Discussion Over Joint Law Enforcement Facility
*More Cooperation
*Did You Know?
*Follow Up on Free Speech Event
I organized a Free Speech Rally on Wednesday, October 1 at the Ped Mall, and thought it went quite well! Somewhere between 125-150 people attended, and I thank them for their interest.
Speakers included UI Journalism Professor Brett Johnson, Coe Journalism Professor and Iowa City Councilor Shawn Harmsen, County Supervisor Jon Green, and Iowa City Librarian (and ALA President) Sam Helmick.
At the end, I listed off a few things individuals could do to keep Free Speech alive. I had a couple of folks ask me for that list, so I decided to print it here below:
1. Know the First Amendment!
2. Contact your elected officials.
3. Support transparent government.
4. Promote good journalism.
5. Attend the Iowa City Book Festival.
6. Advocate for public libraries.
7. Support the ACLU, Democrats, and anyone pushing back.
8. Speak up however you can.
9. Stand with others.
10. Use social media responsibly.
11. Talk to each other.
Thanks to everyone who came out!
*Iowa City Council Endorsements
The current Iowa City Council has had a busy four years. They created a new strategic plan, added free bus service, expanded funding for Shelter House, increased our affordable housing stock, began replacing the City Park Pool, completed dozens of road repairs, and provided big financial support for the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and the Free Medical Clinic. A good list of positive changes for our community, accomplished under harsh criticism.
I support all three incumbents as they stand for reelection. In the At-Large race, Megan Alter has been a thoughtful member of this body. We do not always agree, and that is fine, because I know that she does not make any decisions rashly or for pure politics. Megan has a Ph.D. in English Literature, and she regularly demonstrates that penchant for researching issues. You always get a fair consideration from Megan, and that matters. I support her wholeheartedly.
I support Mayor Bruce Teague for the other At-Large seat. Mayor Bruce has become a fixture, magnificently representing Iowa City at every ribbon cutting and neighborhood event. More importantly, while Bruce has taken the slings and arrows from left, right, and center, he never wavers in his kind, polite, empathetic response to the people of Iowa City. Bruce Teague is a man of deep faith, and he lives it out every day. That is rare, folks! I definitely want to see Bruce Teague continue as our Mayor.
In the District B race, I strongly support Shawn Harmsen. Shawn is a true-blue, old school, FDR Democrat. He has a progressive record that is long and impressive, and he manages to balance that with the old-fashioned common sense that is too often lacking from this Council. On a Council full of people aching to do more virtue signaling than the person sitting next to them, Shawn simply gets the work done. He treats the public and the staff well, but does not grandstand about any of it. Shawn Harmsen has been an excellent City Councilor, and I give him my full-throated support.
This is an important election. Iowa City sits at a precipice. Your votes are critical!
Early voting begins soon! Please see the Johnson County Auditor’s page for details: https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/department-of-auditor.
*Positivity
I attended a recent League of Women Voters event. (I have been a member for 30 years. If you are not a member, please consider joining!)
Anyway, at that event, a League Member gave me a very nice compliment. She said, “I appreciate that your newsletter always tries to discuss something positive.”
That made me feel really good, because I *do* actively try to make sure every edition of Salvos contains something positive. It probably goes without saying, but that has become more and more difficult of late!
Honestly, Johnson County has so many incredible employees doing such consistently excellent work, I probably should write about that more. But I’m not sure people want to hear the story of a very polite clerk in the Treasurer’s Office, or an expert welder in Secondary Roads, or a Planner who painstakingly reviews a development plan. To some extent, that is just what they do. But I also recognize that we can take this excellent work for granted. There is so much quality work going on at all times that I really have come to expect it.
So, readers, you tell me – are you interested in these types of stories?
*Shout Out to West High!
I just learned a remarkable statistic about Iowa City West High School. You may have seen that West High was ranked the number one high school in Iowa, and in the top 2% of all schools in the US.
That is amazing in and of itself, and something about which we should all be proud. But get this: Iowa City West is a majority minority school. Only 45% of the West High student body is white. No other school in the country ahead of West High on the list can make that claim. Not one. Diversity as strength!
Congratulations, and thanks to the West High students and their families, the ICCSD Board, Superintendent Matt Degner, Principal Mitch Gross, and the whole faculty and staff at West! You rock!
*ADA Works
This event will celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The event includes a program with speakers, entertainment, and awards which provide an opportunity to recognize individuals, businesses, and programs that embody the spirit of the ADA.
Details
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: Career and Resource Fair from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM, with program beginning at 2:00 PM
Location: Iowa City Pedestrian Mall, near the library.
*Discussion Over Joint Law Enforcement Facility
Iowa City and Johnson County recently embarked on a study of a Joint Law Enforcement Center. This would have created a new home for the ICPD, Sheriff’s Office, and Jail. Iowa City Councilor Laura Bergus recently wrote to the Board expressing concerns over creating a joint law enforcement entity, describing it as a “middleman.” Here is how I responded. Please note – these are my responses, and do not come from the whole Board.
Dear Laura:
It is true that the creation of a commission creates a “middleman” when it comes to a few, limited decisions. But I would note that both the City of Iowa City and Johnson County do this all the time.
We both serve on the MPO Board of Directors. Millions of transit and streets/roads dollars are allocated by that body, which is essentially a “middleman” in your words. And while there have certainly been disagreements over the years, the MPO has served Johnson County very well.
Iowa City and Johnson County are both part of the management and operations of the JECC. Millions of emergency communications dollars are allocated by that body, which is essentially a “middleman” in your words. And while there have certainly been disagreements over the years, the JECC has served Johnson County very well.
It is common for Iowa City Fire and Johnson County Ambulance to provide advanced lifesaving to the *same* patient on the same call. They trust each other, and work together well.
Iowa City has allowed Johnson County SEATS to serve as a “middleman” for 60 years when it comes to paratransit services. And while there have certainly been disagreements over the years, SEATS has served Iowa City very well.
Johnson County has had longstanding agreements with Iowa City when it comes to the Senior Center, Animal Control, Solid Waste, Human Rights, Housing Authority, Public Library, Parks, and Planning. All of these require Johnson County to give up a bit of control to better serve the public. And each agreement has served the public well.
Similarly, Iowa City relies on Johnson County to provide State’s Attorneys, Court space, a jail, Civil Services, tax collection, elections, vital records, public health, social services, mental heath services, GuideLink services, Medical Examiner services, and more.
We work together, all day, every day. There is simply no reason to believe we cannot do so in this case as well.
Sincerely,
Rod Sullivan
Johnson County
Board of Supervisors
Interestingly, I totally forgot to mention in my two emails to Laura the many scenarios where the ICPD and Sheriff’s Office already work together: Joint Forensic Investigations, Bomb Squad, Dive Team, Drug Task Force, and many other similar specialty units.
This is all a moot point, given that we have decided to forego working with the Iowa City Council on a joint law enforcement facility. But I do feel it is important for the public to know that despite Councilor Bergus’ protestations, Iowa City and Johnson County work together very well and very frequently, and have for a long time. I hope that continues into the future – but that is up to the voters in November.
*More Cooperation
In an effort to improve the delivery of emergency medical services to the west side of Iowa City, the Iowa City Fire Department (ICFD) has expanded its partnership with the Johnson County Ambulance Service (JCAS).
JCAS began operating an ambulance crew from ICFD Station 2, 301 Emerald St., on Monday, Sept. 29. An Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. This collaboration will reduce response times for an ambulance during peak demand hours, enhance the level of emergency medical services available to residents, and strengthen existing public safety and health care partnerships.
JCAS has similarly been responding to calls from ICFD Station 4, 2008 Dubuque Road, since March 2016, allowing for a timely response to incidents on Interstate 80 and Highway 1, as well as northeast Iowa City. JCAS operates from Station 4 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
*DID YOU KNOW? Iowa City is one of the few cities where the Mayor is not directly elected by the people. In Iowa City, the Council chooses the Mayor from among the elected Councilors.
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 @ 8:32 AM
0 Comments
