By Finch VanDyk, Iowa City
I’m standing at the ballot box and staring down the future of Johnson County. Like it or not, there it stretches in front of me: 50, maybe 60 years lived in these 613 square miles. What kind of future will it be?
Two names stare back at me from the ballot. County Offices, Board of Supervisors, District 4. Rod Sullivan.
V Fixmer-Oraiz.
One of these two names will become the decisions, votes and policies that shape the Johnson County I will live in.
I’ve watched a lot of Board of Supervisors meetings recently. Both Rod and V are serving current terms while running for their next, so it’s a great chance to see both candidates already doing the job they’re running for. Convenient!
Here is what I saw in those meetings.
I saw Rod Sullivan, incumbent of 22 years, talk over and interrupt his coworkers. I saw him dismiss concerns without considering them. I saw him fail to ask questions where questions were warranted. I saw him, in a meeting to plan for the future, write “blah blah” on a sticky note as his contribution to the discussion because “that’s what all this sounds like to me”. I saw an uncurious man looking to maintain the comfort of his own present.
I saw V Fixmer-Oraiz, elected in 2022, listen. I saw them think. I saw them ask questions and make sure they understood a subject before they spoke on it. I saw them treat their colleagues with the respect expected of an elected official, even when receiving less than the same in return. I saw them work to strategize, collaborate, plan ahead. I saw a leader with a vision for the future — my future, our future — and the dedication to make it happen.
I’ve seen a few other things in the six years I’ve lived here, too.
I’ve seen Rod Sullivan lead the legally dubious firing of Executive Director Guillarmo Morales against government protocol, opening up the county to a lawsuit our tax dollars are paying for.
I’ve seen V Fixmer-Oraiz personally hand out water bottles in a Johnson County trailer park whose management had failed to provide water to its residents.
I’ve seen Rod Sullivan compare a constituent Ph.D. research student to RFK Jr. when she pointed out the flaws in a study.
I’ve seen V Fixmer-Oraiz at the state capitol defending our rights against unjust legislation. I’ve seen Rod Sullivan call his (current!) colleagues unfit for office in his personal public blog.
I’ve seen V Fixmer-Oraiz use their social media platform to provide critical information about government structure.
I’m standing at the ballot box and staring down the future of Johnson County. Two names are staring back at me. Two choices. Two paths.
In one direction I see stagnation. Questions not asked, solutions not explored, tax money wasted and constituents treated with outright disdain. A downhill slide caused by failure to act.
In the other I see progress, proaction, prosperity. I see leadership by example, governance with intention and our best interest in mind. I see something brighter, something better than we have now.
I’m taking the pen and I’m choosing a path.
V Fixmer-Oraiz.
Which future will you choose for Johnson County?
Election Day is June 2.
