SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 3, 2026
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/7/26
In this edition:
*RIP Betty Ockenfels
*RIP Fred Shelton
*Happy Birthday Zuri!
*Happy Mother’s Day!
*Farmer’s Markets
*Foster Care and Adoption Month
*Dems Hall of Fame Event
*Quick Reminder on Iran
*Jail Vote
*Voting Rights Act
*Betty Sass
*Did You Know?
*RIP Betty Ockenfels
Former County Supervisor Betty Ockenfels recently passed away at age 94. Betty served from 1981-1994, when she resigned her office. RIP, Betty.
*RIP Fred Shelton
Fast Freddie Shelton, 94, passed away, leaving a huge hole in the heart of Swisher. Fred and Evelyn operated Shelton’s Grocery on Main Street in Swisher since 1969. If you were ever in there, you knew this was a guy who loved what he did. RIP, Fred.
*Happy Birthday Zuri!
May 10th marks the 9th birthday of Ms. Zuri Foote, our first grandchild! I can honestly say that being a grandfather is the best gig I have ever had! And Zuri makes it easy! She is sweet, kind, fun, and smart!
I found the following stats about grandparents today. I would have to say that I am in the majority in every category:
72% think being a grandparent is the single most important and satisfying thing in their life.
63% say they can do a better job caring for grandchildren than they did with their own kids.
68% think being a grandparent brings them closer to their adult children.
90% enjoy talking about their grandkids to just about everyone.
Happy Birthday, Zuri! Papa loves you!
*Happy Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10. I know that this is a difficult day for many people, and I want to respect that. Yet I feel the need to talk about some special people in my life.
I want to wish a particularly Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, Susan Sullivan Smith, and my wife, Melissa Fath. One is a birth mom, one is a foster and adoptive mom – both are amazing people who have touched many lives.
I sometimes wish people could actually see how amazing Melissa is. We’ve had over 50 foster children over the years, and she has never missed a beat. Melissa has done all that parenting, while at the same time doing full time cancer research. She is truly incredible!
Eleven years ago at this time, I was afraid I might lose her. Melissa was fighting cancer, and we did not know exactly what to expect. Thank God things went well, and this incredible Mom is still with us today!
I hope all the moms out there have a wonderful day! You deserve it! Thanks for all you do!
*Farmer’s Markets
It is May, and that means it is time for our local Farmer’s Markets! My mouth is watering!
People who know me know that I am a farmer’s market fanatic. I can be found at the Iowa City Farmer’s Market pretty much every Saturday. I love the food, I love the farmers, I love the customers … I love everything about it! See you at the market!
*Foster Care and Adoption Month
May marks National Foster Care and Adoption Month. As many of you know, Melissa and I have 3 adopted adult children, and served as foster parents for another 50 + children. We surrendered our license a few years ago after 20+ years.
Unfortunately, the need did not go away. In fact, it may be greater than ever. Even if you do not feel you can serve as a foster parent, help us to recruit others. We need families!
You can learn more by visiting Four Oaks Family Connections at: https://iowafosterandadoption.org.
*Dems Hall of Fame Event
The Johnson County Democratic Party is holding our Annual Hall of Fame Awards on Saturday, May 16 at 6:30 pm at the Holiday Inn in Coralville. 2026 marks the 16th consecutive year that the Johnson County Democratic Party has held a separate Hall of Fame event.
Please join us for coffee, desserts, and plenty of old war stories! A cash bar will be available.
The Hall of Fame inductees for 2026 are: Terry and Laurie Dahms, Linda Yanney, Joan and Tom Cook, and Mike Owen. We hope you can join us in recognizing this remarkable group!
Tickets are available for a $50 suggested donation. People who cannot afford that amount should still feel welcome. Sponsorships are available.
*Quick Reminder on Iran
Please remember this as we continue to hear the news from our illegal war with Iran: President Obama had this fixed. It was fixed. There were no issues. We had peace, and no nukes. The Strait was open, and no one was being killed.
But upon taking office the first time in 2017, Donald Trump blew up the Iran deal. Next thing you know? People are dying. The Strait is closed. Iran seeks a nuclear weapon.
Why? SOLELY because of Donald Trump! He is trying (and failing) to fix a problem HE created! And you know who has his back? Ashley Hinson and Marianette Miller Meeks. They could have stopped him then. They could stop him now. They refuse.
*Jail Vote
The Board has been in the news a lot over the past couple of weeks, and I believe a very important decision has gone underreported.
On Thursday, April 23, the Board of Supervisors went into a closed session to discuss a real estate matter. Upon coming out of that session the Board voted 4-1 to empower the County Attorney’s Office to pursue the purchase of land for a new Sheriff’s Office and jail.
The vote was 4-1, with Supervisors Green, Remington, Green Douglass, and me voting yes, and Supervisor Fixmer Oraiz voting no.
Unfortunately, we cannot discuss our votes and the reasons for/against them until the property in question is under contract. At that time, Supervisors can explain their votes. And I cannot wait!
Meanwhile, I am very pleased that the Board took this important step!
*Voting Rights Act
The US Supreme Court just voted 6-3 to essentially end the Voting Rights Act. Yes, that law that came about because of the work of MLK. That law that came about because of the work of John Lewis. That law that came about because of the march at Selma. That law that came about because of the Freedom Marchers. That law that came about because so many Americans were willing to lose their lives to secure the right to vote.
Gone.
Think about that when you vote for members of the US Senate and Congress this fall. They can re-codify the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They need to do so. Then think about it when you vote for President in 2028. That President can appoint a judge or two to the US Supreme Court.
I am so, so sad about this. The lives that were lost – only to have it all removed by those smug SOBs.
*Betty Sass
You may occasionally see notices of public events or meetings that are described as being in the “Betty Sass Room” at the County Administration Building. And every time I see that, I smile. Because I was a big fan of Betty Sass!
Here is some background: Betty Sass went to work for Johnson County as a 19-year-old in 1952. She was hired to work in the Treasurer’s Office due to her very legible handwriting. Betty retired as a Deputy Treasurer in 2013 - 61 years later!
The Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) looked, and they were not able to find a record of anyone EVER working longer for ANY county!
To add some perspective – Johnson County has had some employees retire while in their late 50s. Those retirees could have been born, grown up, gone to work, and retired all during Betty’s tenure with the County!
While Betty’s years of service boggle the mind, honoring her by naming a room after her was not just about quantity. It was even more about quality. Betty Sass was always a model employee and an outstanding boss. Despite working in an office that receives many complaints, Betty’s attitude and outlook were the best I’ve ever seen! Betty was not just our longest serving employee – she was probably our finest employee.
Betty once told me the best improvements over her tenure were: 1.) Typewriters; 2.) Air conditioning; 3.) The indoor smoking ban. Longevity offers very interesting perspectives!
I like the idea of naming things for people. I recognize that there are occasions where this turns out badly. In those cases, I say just rename the thing. There are many really good people out there who deserve similar honors. I am not afraid of acting accordingly.
Meanwhile, I hope you all learned a little bit about a great person!
*DID YOU KNOW? Iowa has 49,065 women active in farm operations, 34% of the total number of farmers.
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 @ 10:39 AM
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