SULLIVAN'S SALVOS

September 27, 2026

Sullivan’s Salvos 10/1/26

In this edition:

*United Way and Iowa Shares

*Wilson’s Orchard

*Vote Turek!

*Shameful Behavior!

*Consequential – Johnson County Social Services

*Salvos Salutes – 2021

*Did You Know?

*United Way and Iowa Shares

The United Way and Iowa Shares campaigns are underway. I hope you will choose to be a supporter. Melissa and I are big supporters of the United Way and the United Way affiliated agencies. We give generously, I think. We also volunteer when and where we can.

So United Way is in our blood. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be in the blood of enough Johnson County residents.

I just heard a statistic that only 4% of all adults in Johnson County contribute to the United Way. Only 4%! And I’m sure it isn’t any better for Iowa Shares! That is simply too low, folks.

One in three families in Johnson County uses a United Way service. Let’s get at least one in three contributing to the United Way and/or Iowa Shares!

*Wilson’s Orchard

I’d like to encourage you to visit my friend Paul Rasch at Wilson’s Orchard. Paul is a great guy doing great things with a great place!

Located just a few miles north of Iowa City, just off Highway 1, Wilson’s Orchard has been around a long time. If you have never been there, go! There are 120 types of apples, but much, much more. It really is a local treasure, and people of all ages should visit! It is particularly a “must-do” for the kids and grandkids!

For more information, see: http://www.wilsonsorchard.com.

*Vote Turek!

Did you know that Ashley Hinson has voted with Donald Trump 100% of the time? 100%! When she tries to say she is bipartisan? That is an outright lie!

Every bad thing that has happened since Trump has been elected has been made possible by Ashley Hinson. It is her fault!

The US Senate, the US Supreme Court, and perhaps our whole democracy just might come down to the Iowa Senate race. If you have one breath left to take, spend it to defeat Ashley Hinson and to support Josh Turek!

Please spread the word!

*Shameful Behavior!

I was disgusted to learn about this, but I think it is important that people know.

On Saturday, September 19 a group of protesters showed up outside of the home of Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague. Luckily, Bruce’s husband and children were able to get out before anything happened. And thankfully, a group of friends were able to come to Bruce’s aid. I am sickened by this.

I do not know why they were there. Frankly, it does not matter.

First, no small-town Mayor deserves this treatment. Bruce works hard at two jobs and deserves some privacy.

Secondly, newsflash! Bruce Teague is African American and gay. Both of those identities make him more vulnerable than most other elected officials.

Thirdly, as I mentioned earlier, Bruce has young children. Children always deserve to feel safe at home.

Fourthly, one of the group’s leaders was Nick Bergus. In case you did not know, Nick’s wife Laura serves on the Iowa City Council with Bruce. In addition, Nick works for the City of North Liberty. He should know better. This could have been his wife and daughter. Apparently, Nick told some of the folks who came to Bruce’s side, “I love Bruce.” Well, you have a strange way of showing it, Nick. Nick, you sicken me.

I really like Bruce. I think he is a good person and a good Mayor. But even if I didn’t, this shit is getting out of hand. Our politics are the ugliest they have been in a half century, and the people behind it sit back and pretend they are uninvolved.

We need to make it known that we do not condone these types of actions. Please write your City Council and let them know how you feel!

*Consequential – Johnson County Social Services

While the various Departments and Offices in County Government are always changing, we have only added two Departments in my 22 years here – Finance and Social Services. Here is the story of Social Services:

I was not the idea person behind this one – my colleague Sally Stutsman was. But I knew how to get it done. Back in 2005, there were several State and Federal programs that gave funding to counties for a variety of Health and Human Services needs. But as Sally noted, the Board simply did not have a handle on all this. Some money came through the local branch of the Iowa Department of Human Services. Some flowed through the County Attorney’s Office. Some was managed by the Johnson County Council of Governments (JCCOG, now called the MPO of Johnson County). Some was in the Sixth Judicial District.

The Board was really not managing all this well. Deadlines were sometimes missed, or emergency meetings held so that deadlines were not missed. There was duplication of services, and there were gaps. There were programs that needed monitoring, but little monitoring was done. And some of the County money seemed to be going out the door based solely upon which applicants were most popular with the Board. Sally really believed the whole thing needed to be professionalized.

I agreed. More importantly, I had previously spent just under 7 years working for Iowa Medicaid. I had seen counties that had a Social Services Director who managed all these things, and I knew exactly who to speak with- Linn County Social Services Director John Brandt. I had worked with John over the years, and he impressed me as perhaps the most knowledgeable human services expert I had ever met. I knew that we could learn from him.

Sally and I went to Cedar Rapids and spent some time with John, and invited him to speak to our Board. As usual, John impressed everyone with his knowledge and organization. He also made two key points that helped to sell the position. First, many programs allowed the County to charge a small percentage for administration. We had never done this before. By the time we added all those up, it paid for something like a quarter of the position. Secondly, we were missing out on opportunities. There were a few programs we could tap, but had never done so because no one knew where to look. We were leaving money on the table.

The Board was convinced, and in early 2006 we hired Amy Correia as our first ever Johnson County Social Services Director. Amy had an Master’s in Social Work from the UI, but more importantly, she knew many of the local players. (As some of you may recall, Amy also served on the Iowa City Council from ’06 until ’09.) Amy left her position in the summer of 2011, and later that year we hired Lynette Jacoby, who still holds the job today.

Johnson County Social Services does SO much that it is amazing to imagine life without it! JCSS currently consists of two Divisions – one is services for adults, which includes our Aging Specialist, 3 General Assistance Workers, 2 Services Navigators, a Mobility Coordinator, and a person who assists with our Free Tax Help clinics. The other Division is services for families and children, and includes childcare Quality Improvement Grants, Care Coordination, Early Education Scholarships, Child Care Incentives, Focus on Youth Fund, Juvenile Court involvement, Youth Shelter, Youth Detention, Disproportionate Minority Contact, and Juvenile Justice Youth Development. Plus JCSS oversees more than $2 million in block grants to local nonprofits.

Creating Johnson County Social Services was a very good move, and I am proud that I helped to get it done!

*Salvos Salutes – 2021

What I wrote about some of the honorees from Salvos’s Salutes in 2021:

Frank Lalor: 25 years ago, he helped to found Table to Table. In 2021, Frank decided to retire, leaving an incredible legacy. T2T has delivered over 25 million pounds of food during that time, feeding thousands of our neighbors while keeping good food out of the landfill. It was a great idea then, and even better now. Thanks, Frank!

Brian Finley: An Application Developer in the UI IT Department, Brian recognized that the State of Iowa had done nothing to get people signed up for vaccinations. So Brian put his know-how to use, and created a Twitter account - @IAVaccineAlerts – that automatically Tweeted out vaccine openings across the state. Tens of thousands of Iowans are safer today because of Brian’s efforts!

Stu Mullins: After spending decades at United Action for Youth, Stu Mullins decided to hang it up. It would be a huge mistake to underestimate the impact this one person has had on decades worth of Johnson County youth. Whether in direct service or just keeping the doors open, Stu’s contributions to UAY are immeasurable. To top it off, he is a killer musician and a wonderful guy!

John Lundell: It was not long ago that Coralville’s relationships with Iowa City, North Liberty, and Johnson County were in very bad shape. Right now, those relationships are as strong as they have been in my memory. What happened? New leadership in a few key roles – notably John Lundell as Mayor of Coralville. John is an excellent communicator, hard worker, and straight shooter. He has done a very nice job, and has certainly earned this retirement! Thanks, John! I hope there are many Hawkeye games in your future!

Terry Donohue: North Liberty continues to experience growing pains – even though we have been saying that since the ‘80s! But over the past decade or so, folks have had few worries when it came to the role of Mayor. Terry Donahue has handled the role very capably and thoughtfully since 2017. Every politician says something about “listening to all opinions.” And I believe most are sincere. But I can’t think of anyone who really lives that out as much as Terry Donahue. He is a great guy with a great sense of humor, and he will be missed.

Anji Jordan: Many good things are happening on the SE side of Iowa City. And if you look closely, you will likely find Anji Jordan right in the middle of it! From helping families navigate COVID to getting a beautiful community mural painted to getting kids bikes to helping pass a Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) to knitting to Chairing Better Together to well… basically doing everything, Anji is an irresistible force for good! We are SO lucky to have her as a part of our community! Keep up the great work!

Crissy Canganelli: It is never easy when your job is to address the problem of housing and homelessness. It is a challenge made even more difficult when a small but vocal portion of our community decides to attack everything you do. We are lucky to have Chrissy Canganelli, folks! She is ethical, dedicated, smart, and has put Johnson County ahead of 99% of all the counties in the country when it comes to addressing homelessness. We have not eradicated this problem; we likely never will. But we are making great strides! Thank you, Crissy, for leading the charge!

Cecilia Norris: We are 50 years in, and the Free Medical Clinic just keeps serving people who have no other access to heath care. One of the key players there is Dr. Cecilia Norris, who has done yeoman’s work in her 16 years as Medical Director. While her direct service is critical, Dr. Norris gets this Salute for her tireless efforts to combat misinformation around COVID-19 and the vaccines. Dr. Norris was constantly trying to correct misinformation and put out the correct info, whether at work, on social media, or whenever asked. It may seem futile, Cecilia, but I know you have saved lives. Please keep up the great work!

As you can see, 2021 was a year full of people worthy of our admiration!

*DID YOU KNOW? The racial mix in Johnson County is about 70% white, 10% black, 7% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 1% Native American, and 5% two or more races. (Source: US Census Bureau.)

Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-

www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov.

"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

September 20, 2026

Unfortunately, there were several tragedies in Johnson County last week. My prayers go out to all who are impacted by all of these events. Please try to show each other some grace.

Saturday, September 26 is the Third Annual Africa Fest in downtown Iowa City on the Ped Mall. Be there! It’s great!

(Much of this is cribbed from my friends at Common Good Iowa. Please consider giving them your support! I do, and it is a worthy investment!)

This fall, Iowans will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment that would require a supermajority — not just a majority vote — in both houses to pass tax increases.

The Amendment, which appears on your fall ballot, would require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to pass any bill that increases rates on the individual income tax, corporate income tax, and the sales and use tax. But tax cuts would continue to need only a simple majority to pass.

Iowans defeated a similar referendum in 1999, by a vote of 52% to 48%. Ironically, only a 34% minority would be enough in one house of the Legislature to block any increase in taxes.

The proposal enshrines minority rule on tax and budget policy, enabling that minority to act against the wishes of the voters they represent. It is a betrayal of fundamental democratic principles. A “no” vote would be worth two “yes” votes.

Kansas enacted similar income tax cuts that turned out to be such a disaster that they were largely reversed three years later. This proposal would prevent a future legislature from correcting what will turn out to be Iowa’s mistake. Legislators elected 30 years after passage could be bound to the views of legislators since defeated, retired, or even deceased. It is a terrible idea. The amendment does not trust Iowa voters or the people they elect.

This is a huge gift to the rich. Please join me in voting NO on the Constitutional Amendment, and spread the word! This is REALLY important!

(This ran in Salvos in 2017. I found it interesting in light of the recent dedication of Lulu Merle Johnson Plaza.)

As you may recall, I wrote a few weeks ago about Johnson’s troubling history. My primary goal was to get folks interested in learning the history of Johnson County’s namesake.

In the weeks since, I have received over two hundred emails, many Facebook messages, and a few calls. A few thanked me for bringing the issue up. One woman noted, “I have lived my whole life in Linn County without knowing for whom it was named. Now I’m determined to learn.”

Unfortunately, she was part of a distinct minority. Most people have simply chosen to call me names. Many were upset at the costs associated with changing the name. I agree! That is why I NEVER suggested changing the name! This is a really important point to make.

In the 9-12-17 edition of Salvos, I wrote: “Obviously, changing the name of the County itself would cause millions of problems for thousands of people. But what about honoring a DIFFERENT Johnson?”

I think I was pretty clear – I was talking about the namesake, not the name. I recognize that many people do not read articles thoroughly. I also realize that some people just read what they want to read. But I wish they would stick to the topic.

People have really focused on this as a “black versus white” issue. It really hasn’t even been mentioned that Johnson thought of Native Americans as “vermin”, and kept track of Native American killings the way a deer hunter might be able to tell you how many bucks he had killed. Johnson killed Native Americans indiscriminately, including outside of wars, and he was proud of it.

Now, perhaps you can argue that he was just a man of his times. He was a slaveholder, for example. And lots of Americans have ancestors who killed Native Americans. Unfortunately, Johnson’s attitude was far from unique for the time. In fact, Johnson’s exploits are precisely what made him a popular choice for Vice President. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just have that conversation civilly? What if we were able to actually reflect on just what this meant then, and what it means today? What if we actually brought some African Americans and Native Americans into the conversation?

Meanwhile, I just find this whole episode sad. Only a tiny handful of people are/were willing to have a conversation about our past. Most online respondents bullied the folks who wanted to have an actual discussion, regardless of the side they were on. Over 90% of the people simply replied by calling me names. The guy from the Solon Legion called me all kinds of names, but will not take my call.

That is what has become of political discourse in our country. It is just sad. (And the Press Citizen will not find THAT tragic reality worthy of an article!)

If you knew the late Reverend Bob Welsh, you know that he liked to get things done. So it came as no surprise that the day after I won the 2004 Democratic Party Primary for Supervisor, Bob called me up and invited me to a meeting.

Bob was meeting with County Supervisor Carol Thompson, whose position on the Board I would assume. Also in the meeting was Liz Selk from Heritage Area Agency on Aging, Cher Hahn from Johnson County Public Health, Eve Casserly of Coralville, and one or two others who I unfortunately cannot recall. We met at the old County Public Health Building on Gilbert Court, now known as the 1101 Project.

Bob was determined to improve the lives of seniors in Johnson County, and he was assembling a group he thought might be able to get some things done. That led to a County-created committee called Johnson County Livable Community for Successful Aging. This group brought together aging professionals and others to discuss the needs and wants of older residents of Johnson County.

The group has been around since early 2006, but what it does has changed over the years. I am really proud of the efforts that have been made since the group began. Johnson County has an Aging Specialist who is an amazing help to our seniors and their loved ones.

Unfortunately, like usual, services for seniors now are less available than they were then. The State and Federal governments have both made it harder on our seniors. The good things Johnson County has done do not make up for these losses.

I am proud of the work Johnson County does for Seniors. And I was honored to be named the 2009 Heritage Area Agency on Aging Elected Official of the Year. Now let’s win some State and Federal elections in November, and get to work improving the lives of our seniors!

Gary Pidgeon: Better known as “George,” Johnson County’s longest-serving employee retired after 50 years with the Conservation Department! 50 years of pulling weeds, repairing things, cleaning things, mowing, etc. But it was not the quantity of the years – it was the quality. George was a very hard worker who took great pride in his work. Congratulations, George!

Maryann Dennis: When she started with the Housing Fellowship 27 years ago, it was a brand-new organization. Fast forward to today, and the Greater IC Housing Fellowship is providing about 800 people places to live in about 200 properties. All of this was accomplished through Maryann’s leadership, vision, and perseverance. When she started, affordable housing was a dirty word. Now candidates for City Council MUST at least give lip service to affordable housing, or they cannot get elected. What a legacy! Congratulations, Maryann!

“Essential workers”: This was the year of the essential worker. Doctors, nurses, EMTs, cops, and others stepped up to fight the virus, just like we knew they would. But there were others – teachers, grocery store workers, group home staff, etc. that also reminded us just how important they are. Thanks to all you essential workers!

SEATS Drivers: When COVID hit, County employees responded. No one was more flexible than our SEATS drivers, who all fell into a variety of roles. Because our need for bus rides dropped 50%, we had an available workforce. Some helped at Conservation. Some provided additional cleaning at County buildings. And many served as “greeters”, managing the flow of people into and out of County buildings. SEATS workers have done whatever they were asked, and done it with well. I am proud to work with these fantastic folks!

Dave Koch: When COVID-19 hit, all eyes turned to Johnson County Public Health. Despite uncaring and incompetent State and Federal governments, Johnson County Public Health rose to the occasion. Dave was attacked by anti-maskers, who hung on his every word, waiting for the tiniest slip. Through it all, Dave Koch remained positive and professional, offering Johnson County residents the information they needed. Crisis unveils a person’s character. Dave Koch passed that test with flying colors!

Bruce Teague: Mayor is a tough job anyway. Serving as Mayor during COVID, BLM protests, and a derecho goes well beyond what anyone could have imagined. But Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague rose to the occasion. Bruce listened, empathized, and made the decisions that needed to be made. He was kind, caring, and compassionate, but also tough and decisive. The people of Iowa City may not recognize it, but they were just blessed by a year of tremendous leadership. Thank you, Mayor Teague!

Lance Clemsen: As we anticipate the 2021 opening of the GuideLink Center, it is important to recognize the contributions of Lance Clemsen from UIHC. Lance has chaired the steering committee for this project for several years, and deserves as much credit as anyone for getting it to this point. Lance has been willing to do whatever it takes to make certain every detail is accounted for, and his hard work has set the tone for everyone else.

Zachary Oren Smith: No less a mind than Thomas Jefferson believed civil society could not exist without an informed public. Unfortunately, local media has been drying up for decades. Luckily, we have a shining light in Zachary Oren Smith at the Press Citizen. Zach is a great reporter and a great guy, who does really good work in a very tough environment. We need Gannett to do much better, and pay this guy better than the just-above poverty wages he receives!

Ed Cranston: It is always a challenge to serve as Chair of the Johnson County Democratic Party. It was an even bigger challenge with COVID. Thankfully, local Democrats had Ed Cranston at the helm. Ed has provided a steady hand through tumultuous times. His cheerful demeanor and can-do attitude are exactly what the doctor ordered! Thanks for your leadership, Ed!

Christina Bohannan: It took guts to challenge a ten-term incumbent. Especially during a pandemic where you could not knock on doors. But Christina Bohannan does not let anything deter her! I look forward to Christina bringing that energy to the Iowa Legislature.

*DID YOU KNOW? Almost 10,000 people walk through the Iowa City Ped Mall on an average day.

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!

September 13, 2026

Please join us at the Johnson County Democratic Party Annual Fall BBQ! The event is Sunday, October 4 from 4:30-8 at the Celebration Farm out on Highway 1 north of Iowa City. The keynote should be great, as former US Senator Tom Harkin will be giving the talk!

Tickets are $50 individual, $95 couple, $115 families. Sponsorships are available at $150-$5000. You can get this done at jcdems.org or by sending a check to PO Box 1773 Iowa City, IA 52244.

The Iowa City Scrabble Club is celebrating its 25^th anniversary on Sunday, September 20^th at 2 pm at the Bread Garden in Iowa City.

The Iowa City Scrabble Club meets every Sunday at 2pm at the Bread Garden during nice weather, and at the Hy Vee on 1^st Avenue during colder weather. It is open to players of all skill levels.

There are many opinions out there regarding the financing of a proposed Jail and Sheriff’s Office. I am going to try to explain some of the reasoning behind the finances here. I know it will be seen as a “lie” by my detractors, but hopefully this will be helpful. Let’s do it in a question and answer format.

There are two primary reasons. First, we do not have the cash. This is not unlike a family buying a home. If you have the cash, you just pay cash. No hassle, no interest. But very few people have the resources to pay cash. Similarly, very few governments have the resources to pay cash. So we borrow.

The second reason is obscure, but important. Tax Increment Financing districts (TIF) do not remit taxes to the County. The taxing district (city) that issues the TIF keeps the increment for use in the TIF district. The exception to this is what is called Debt Service (in other words, bonds). TIF districts are required to pay the County for property taxes incurred to pay bonds. There is well over a billion dollars in TIF in Johnson County. So that is a lot of landowners who would not have to pay their share and a lot of money we would miss out on if we did *not* borrow.

First, as stated above, TIFs would not have to pay. But there are additional good reasons. Let’s just say that Johnson County had tucked away $2 million per year every year since the last referendum. We would have about $25 million in savings. We would still need to bond $70 million dollars. Yes, we would pay less interest. But that means we would have had 12-13 years in which we had $2 million less in the General Fund available for services. And again, the TIF districts do not pay into those services. So why sacrifice 12-13 years’ worth of services when we need to borrow anyway?

Then we get to a place that differentiates personal finance from government finance. In your personal finance, your interest rate can go down based upon the amount of your downpayment. Municipal borrowing is a bit different, in that the government doing the borrowing gets “rated.” This rating helps to determine your interest rate. So you could have a lot of money down, but still be viewed as an entity that is not managed well financially. Or vice versa, which should be the case for Johnson County.

Additionally, there is public tolerance. We do not discuss this enough when we talk about government finance. How does the public feel? We have seen over time that the public gets uneasy when local governments build large reserves. They ask the question: “If you do not need all this money, why are you taxing me?” It is a fair question. And to respond, “We are saving for a downpayment on a building we may or may not build in 15 years,” is an unsatisfactory answer.

To some extent, we *did* save. We bought the land where the proposed facility will sit out of our reserves. If the bond passes, we can replenish those reserves from the bond proceeds. But if it fails, we still own the land. (Land in Iowa City continues to be a pretty good investment, so this does not concern me.)

Finally, I find it ironic that the same folks who want to spend down our savings each budget cycle are the folks asking why we have not saved. You cannot have it both ways.

Remember, we do not actually have the $90 million. Voters have to approve it. And bonds do not allow governments to pay for programs and services. (There are a few very limited exceptions.) Bonds pay for buildings and equipment, not people.

And you should be glad about this! We do not want local governments borrowing for salaries. That is part of what happened in the ICCSD, and it needs to be avoided. Borrowing needs to be limited to one-time costs.

There are additional reasons. We are charged by code with providing a jail or paying for it elsewhere. As I have pointed out many times, France, Germany, and Scandinavian countries have spent TRILLIONS of dollars over decades on the best social services on planet earth. European Social Democracies still have jails, and their incarceration rates are not that much lower than the rates in Johnson County. Even with birth-to-death free healthcare, great schools, free childcare, guaranteed pensions, less income inequality, strict gun laws, and the like, those societies have jails. We will NEVER – and I mean NEVER – approach the level of social investments made by these European countries. Local government cannot do it. We’ll never get close. Even if we invested $90 million upstream, downstream, we are still going to need more jail beds than we have.

That is exactly how we got here in the first place! The Board in the late 70s decided to build a Jail and Sheriff’s Office that was not adequately sized and left no room for growth. Best practice when building municipal buildings in a growing area is to find a spot that allows for future growth, then build in a bit of extra space for near term growth. That is exactly what is proposed.

As for the argument, “Why not build it for 60 people? Or 80 people?” The answer is simple. That is too small. Imagine a family of six with a beat-up old sedan. Their car is falling apart, and they need a new one. Should they buy another vehicle that seats 5 when their family is 6 people? It is only logical to buy a car that fits your whole family.

Similarly, the jail is averaging over 90 people per day, a number that has been slowly rising. The recent peak was 123. A few days have hit 115+. So why would we build something for 60 or 80 people? We would still need to spend on transport.

We have been advised by bond counsel to show the impact of the $94.5 million bond on $100,000 assessed value. That number is $88 maximum. But you are not taxed on assessed value. You are taxed on taxable value, which includes a 44.5% rollback in FY27. That means that max of $88 per $100k becomes $39.18 per $100k. That expense would be part of the County budget for 12 years, at which time the debt is retired.

Johnson County passed a $20 million Conservation Bond in 2008, and a $30 million bond in 2024. These efforts are two of my proudest accomplishments as a County Supervisor!

I must admit, the second Bond was not that tough. Once we had done all the great projects that resulted from the ’08 Bond, we just had to tell people, “Expect more of the same,” and they were on board. But the first Conservation Bond? That was a heavy lift!

Here is the origin story: Johnson County had been doing a series of public hearings on some Planning and Zoning stuff, and I was struck how almost everyone over 50 spoke about the bits of nature that were now gone. It was a palpable loss. So I asked Conservation Director Harry Graves to lunch at the Hamburg Inn, got out a napkin, and began scribbling. I suggested that we ask voters for $10 million for Conservation. This would save those areas people felt so strongly about losing. (Later polling showed that people were just as supportive of $20m as $10m, so we went with $20m.)

Harry loved the idea, of course. But there were a lot of questions: Was this legal in Iowa? It had never been tried before. As usual, we had to go to County Attorney Janet Lyness with a big idea. Janet did the requisite research, and felt it would be legal.

Now we had to convince voters it was a good idea. We brought together cycling groups, birders, hunters, anglers, scouts, prairie ecologists, teachers, environmentalists, and more. We got the Chair of the Farm Bureau (Gerry Morgan) and the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Board (Dick Schwab) together on the Steering Committee. Everyone worked their tails off to sell this initiative.

While Johnson County voters love their Conservation, it was not an easy lift. We said we would do bike trails. People asked where. We said we would buy up land to prevent flooding. People wanted to know where. We said we would protect unique sensitive areas. You know where this is going – people wanted to know where. But we could only give vague answers. We did not yet own the land.

The other thing that started working against us in ’08 was the US economy. As you may recall, the housing market crashed. President Bush threw up his hands, and invited the candidates (Obama and McCain) to DC to help him face the challenge. People were very concerned about the economy, and support for any new taxes was slipping.

Thankfully, voters squeezed this one through, with 60.1% of the vote! That first Conservation Bond ended up giving us Ciha Fen, phase 2 of the Dubuque Street Trail, phase 1 of the Clear Creek Trail, phase 1 of the Hoover Trail (Solon to Ely), the Mehaffey Bridge Trail, big additions to Cedar River Crossings (Sutliff), Cangleska Waukon, the Malinda Reif Reilly Fen, Two Horse Farm, and the Pechman Creek Delta.

Read that list again. The 2008 Conservation Bond completely transformed Johnson County. It has been a monumental investment in our natural environment. It also set an example for other counties to follow. Linn, Polk, and Story Counties have followed suit since we broke the ice.

The 2024 Bond has already given us phase 2 of the Clear Creek Trail, Phoebe Timber, and improvements to Kent Park. And much more is on the way!

I have always believed in the classic quote from Robert Baden Powell, the founder of the scouting movement: “Leave it better than you found it.” I feel as though I can definitely say that in terms of Johnson County’s natural environment.

Clayton Schuneman: The Office of the Johnson County Medical Examiner is by far the best in the State of Iowa, and probably far beyond. There are many reasons for this, but chief among them is ME Department Director Clayton Schuneman. I do not even have the superlatives to do him justice. They simply do not come any better! This is a service that most people never think about until they realize they are using it. Rest assured that the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office will handle every case exactly as it should.

Jen Shearer: Bigwigs decided to put an end to the UI Labor Center. They did not anticipate the fight they got from students, faculty, and workers from across Iowa. Had they reviewed the previous work of Jennifer Shearer, they could have seen it coming. Jen is not simply a rockstar as Director of the Labor Center, but a top-notch organizer to boot. Jen is also steady progressive voice on local matters.

Janet Martin is retiring from the Johnson County 4H program after many, many years of quietly shaping our young people. Janet is one of those people that simply puts a smile on my face every time I see her. She really cares about our children, and really works hard. Congratulations, Janet!

Lynn Gallagher: Activists, regardless of the topic about which they are passionate, should follow the lead of Lynn Gallagher of rural Solon. Lynn is a vegan, and staunchly opposes any mistreatment of animals. To Lynn, this includes farming animals for meat and milk. Lynn’s activism is often met with anger and bullying, but she is undeterred. I don’t know any activists who are better prepared and have studied the issues more carefully. Just as importantly, Lynn always follows every rule to a T, and is unfailingly polite.

RaQuishia Harrington: North Liberty continues to grow at a rapid pace. When that happens, it is good to know that someone is looking out for those who growth can leave behind. North Liberty City Councilor RaQuishia Harrington is the perfect leader for this city in this moment. The more time I spend with RaQuishia, the more I realize how much we undervalue this incredible young lady. She could easily be a candidate for Governor or Congress. And probably should be.

Michelle Kenyon: The Executive Director of Field to Family, Michelle is a key mover and shaker in the local food movement. From farmers markets to the Food Hub to changes in county policy, Michelle is an important voice for local farmers and local eaters. Johnson County is at the forefront of the local food movement, and no one deserves more credit than Michelle!

*DID YOU KNOW? Bub Culberson, the first African American to play basketball in the Big Ten (and a City High grad) was a first cousin of Lulu Merle Johnson. So was Hawkeye football legend Duke Slater!

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!

September 6, 2026

Rosh Hashanah 5787 begins at sundown on September 11. Shanah Tovah to all who celebrate it.

My friend Patrick Kearns has retired after 30 years as a nurse at the Iowa City VA Hospital. He wrote the following, and I thought it deserved to be reprinted here:

“I became a nurse after being a paramedic and astutely observing that it did not rain in the hospital. I truly enjoyed being a nurse. I saw people at their best and worst and was allowed to try to make their lives better. That was a privilege that very few people get. Society has become disconnected from the suffering that exists in our lives. When people brag about not getting vaccines they have never seen someone die. When people dismiss seatbelts, car seats, and helmets they have not seen what happens when they are not used.”

Thank you for your service, Brother! The good news? Patrick is continuing as Union President at least until President Trump is gone.

I am not a historian. But I have read quite a bit about James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Warren Harding, and Richard Nixon. All bad Presidents. And none of them come even close to approaching the heinous, horrible, disgusting corruption, moral bankruptcy, narcissism, and incompetency of Donald Trump. There is no question in my mind we are living through the worst Presidency in US history.

Trump may not just be our worst President ever – he may be our worst human ever. I pray for our world every day.

I am always amazed by the number of people who think local government can solve all their problems. I am even more amazed by the number of elected officials who feed that idea.

Local government plays an important role in the lives of the people it serves. But it cannot do everything. An example:

I have been trying to improve health care for Iowans for decades. I used to work in the Iowa Medicaid program. On a local level, Johnson County and our cities do a lot to make healthcare more available and affordable.

But we can barely imagine the scope of this problem. State governments can do much more, but even then, they are not close to being able to solve this problem. It will take the full force of the federal government to meaningfully address this issue.

Should local governments do all they can to help in this area? It depends upon what “all they can” means to you. Should local governments invest? Of course. Should they invest so heavily that they cannot afford to maintain roads or parks or provide police and fire? I would say no.

But there are elected officials out there who would tell you that local governments *can* do this. They are wrong, and they are charlatans. They feed on the understandable anger of the public – who deserve healthcare! – and pretend that local government can fix the problem. They claim the only reason local governments have not fixed it is other elected officials are lazy, stupid, or some combination. Yet they have no plans. They are opposed to the status quo, but offer no specific way to solve the problem.

One of my proudest accomplishments as a Supervisor is the creation of the GuideLink Center. GuideLink Center was created to provide a third option – other than the hospital or jail - for those who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis.

The origins of GuideLink can be traced back to 2000. That year, Johnson County Sheriff Bob Carpenter was pushing for a new jail. Frankly, Johnson County needed a new jail even then. The proposal was not a good one, however, and Carpenter was not interested in selling it. That combination led the bond to an overwhelming loss.

But the jail was still massively overcrowded. So the Board hired a consultant to help them figure out what to do. The group they hired (the State Public Policy Group) came back with a recommendation that Johnson County create a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (CJCC). The County did so, forming this group in 2003. It included representation from the Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, the County Attorney’s Office, the Judiciary, Probation and Parole, social services agencies, and others. The CJCC was charged with finding ways to keep people out of jail, and to get them out more quickly once they were there. (The CJCC met from 2003 until 2015, then reconstituted in 2023. I joined after my election in 2004.) There were all kinds of good things that came from CJCC, including a number of successful jail alternatives still in place today.

Another phenomenon was taking place at the same time. In 2006, writer Malcom Gladwell did a piece in the New Yorker called, “Million Dollar Murray.” It was the story of an ex-Marine in Reno, Nevada named Murray Barr who had long struggles with mental health, alcohol, and drugs. When hospitals, ambulances services, the county jail, and other Reno-area agencies began comparing notes, they realized they had spent over a million dollars providing services to Murray. Yet nothing had changed.

Locals in Johnson County began comparing notes. A group called Systems of Care (SOC) led by Steven Trefz of the Mideast Iowa Community Health Center began meeting to discuss the same phenomenon here. The SOC group began small, with about 8 of us to start. It is still going today, sometimes with as many as 75 attendees between in person and Zoom.

A final catalyst – and she really was a catalyst! Johnson County hired a young woman named Jessica Peckover to serve in our Jail Alternatives program. Jessica was high energy, to say the least. Her infectious enthusiasm got things done that might have languished otherwise.

One of the most important initiatives to come out of these two groups (CJCC and SOC) was Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). While law enforcement officers had always received some training in de-escalation, this was a whole new ballgame. A proven curriculum was adopted, and every officer from every agency was mandated to participate. This was neither cheap nor easy, but it had big impacts. Major Steve Dolezal, a longtime law enforcement officer then second in command at the Sheriff’s Office called CIT, “The greatest advancement in our work since computers.”

CIT was working, and it was resulting in lower arrest rates. We had well-trained problem solvers out on the street, responding to people in need. But there were still too many times where people had nowhere to go. We still needed a place that was not jail, and not the hospital, but safe.

Jessica found just such a place in San Antonio, TX. I was one of the first people from Johnson County to visit, and I definitely wanted to start something similar here. Most folks who visited felt similarly.

There were just a few problems. Was it legal? Where would we put such a facility? Who would build it? Who would own it? Who would run it? How would it be paid for? So yeah – we had some unanswered questions.

But we did not allow that to stop us! I was on the GuideLink Committee for over 15 years. We answered those questions. The facility just celebrated 5 years a few months ago. We have now served over 10,000 people! It has made Johnson County a better place to live! And yes, I am tremendously proud of GuideLink!

Bob Dvorsky (again): A rare repeat winner! Senator Dvorsky is retiring from the Iowa Senate after 38 years in public office. Congratulations on your retirement, Senator. Thank you for all you have done over the years. You have been a friend and a role model. I have learned a lot from you, and you have my never-ending respect and admiration. To Sir With Love. Best wishes.

Dick Schwab and Katherine Burford (again): Another couple repeat winners! I listed their accomplishments once in Salvos; it took the whole edition! They have been the premier philanthropists in Johnson County for 30 years. Nobody else is close. And as they moved away, in a final act of charitable kindness, they make a $1 million donation to the Johnson County Conservation Department! They are truly good people, and I will really miss Dick and Katherine!

Royceann Porter (again): This is the year of repeat winners! When she was honored in 2014, I wrote: “No matter the issue, Royceann Porter has become the “go-to” person for the local African American community. The community is too large and diverse to have a single spokesperson, but Royceann is widely respected as a problem solver. Understand – this is a tremendous weight to place on one woman’s shoulders! But Royceann has proven herself to be up to the task.”

Fast forward to 2018, and Royceann has taken the next step – becoming the first African American ever elected to Countywide office!

Cheryl Stowe: Since I am breaking all the rules anyway – Sherry was not from Johnson County. We used to work together, and during that time, she became one of my best friends. Sherry was absolutely one of a kind. Funny, smart, and caring. Unfortunately, she was brutally murdered earlier this year near her home in Western Iowa. RIP, Sherry. I will never forget you!

Kevin “BF” Burt: The Board recognized Kevin “BF” Burt this year after he won the 34^th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. We could have just as easily honored him for being a damned good guy who freely gives of his time and talent. Johnson County is so blessed to be the adopted home of this musical legend!

Stephen Trefz: Personally, professionally, politically… Stephen Trefz is truly one of the good guys. Stephen recently retired from Abbe Health after a long career serving those with mental health needs in Johnson County. I have known Stephen since the 80s when he was a therapist at Mid-Eastern Iowa Community Mental Health, an organization he later led. He has always been a force for good in our community, and I wish him all the best in his retirement. Thanks, Stephen, for all your great work!

Susan Craig: All she did was run the greatest place on earth for a quarter century! Top that! Congratulations on your retirement after 43 years of service to the Iowa City Public Library, including the last 24 as Director!

Eastside Democrats: The Iowa Democratic Party doesn’t need to staff Johnson County as thoroughly as it used to. Why? Because the Eastside Democrats kick butt! This group of (primarily) women decided to take on electoral politics a couple of cycles ago, and they have changed the game!

Sharon Lake: The leader of the aforementioned Eastside Democrats, Sharon is an indefatigable worker and a dynamic leader. Democrats throughout the State owe her for her remarkable volunteer work!

Jim Pregon: A Deputy Treasurer for the past 28 years, Jim is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. He comes in early, stays late, and works until the job is finished and finished correctly. When you see a guy on his knees in the parking lot, changing license plates for a little old lady? That was Jim. And that is an everyday occurrence. While I congratulate him on his retirement, I know Johnson County will really miss Jim Pregon!

Kurt Friese: Oh, Kurt. My heart hurts. You were quite a character. Gone far too young, my colleague Kurt Friese made a huge impact in a short time as a member of the Board of Supervisors. I will always remember his flair, his wit, and his deep concern for those who are less fortunate. RIP, my friend.

*DID YOU KNOW? State Medicaid matches are based upon each state’s relative wealth. Connecticut (1) has the highest state match, while Mississippi (50) has the lowest. Iowa’s match is 35% - ranking us 31^st. Not at the bottom, but poor. (When I worked there in the 90s, Iowa was 24^th. We have fallen.)

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!

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