NAMI Walk

I attended the NAMI Walk kick-off event today. My spouse and I are regulars on the NAMI Walk. We missed last year and I had to look up the reason why. We were riding our bicycles for cancer research in the QC Tour de Brew with my Mom and our friend Marla. The year before, the NAMI Walk may have been the most wet ever. Even the dog wondered what we were doing walking at Trueblood in a torrential downpour. The joke is it always rains on the NAMI Walk day, although last year was a beautiful day, so they may need a new joke.

The NAMI Walk is important on many fronts. It raises money for programming, education, groups and R Place. It also is important for the community to show of support for those living with mental illness. The walk is a collective lifting of the stigma often implied or associated with mental illness.

Today at the kickoff, a few people told their stories of dealing with mental illness/depression/anxiety. There were tears shed as the stories hit home with others in the room.

We walk and donate to the NAMI Walk for many reasons, but one reason is we do it because others may not be able to on any given day. Cancer or mental health are both illnesses and our society needs to treat them the same in funding, compassion and research.

Please consider joining the Johnson County Team JC Lift the Stigma or donating to my page. Every $1 helps and is important.

https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=141465

Night of 1,000 Dinners

Robin and I attended the Night of 1,000 Dinners fundraiser for a school at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. There were five people that spoke on a panel that spent 5-10 years at the camp. The camp was established in 1969, in 2014 it was the home of 60,000 people.

Thanks to the United Nations Association Johnson County Chapter for  a inspiring evening.

Site Visit to the 1901 Courthouse

The Board of Supervisors had a site visit with County Attorney Janet Lyness this afternoon. We explored all the offices and courtrooms of the 1901 County Courthouse. Thank you to Janet and everyone that works in the courthouse for putting up with us traipsing through.

We are working on a long range plan for courthouse renovations. Last year we remodeled a courtroom on the 3rd floor and I think it is safe to say it was a roaring success and people are anxious to keep going. I also spent a bit of time post site visit with facilities and Sheriff Deputies talking about the secure entrance and security.

I love the historic courthouse and would love to work in a historic building. I went to high school in a castle and college in the only remaining site of a Lincoln-Douglas debate, so it is in my blood. Historic buildings have to be treated with great care when remodeling and updating technology. This beautiful building was built for a population about 1/6 of where we are today, so all the remodeling in the world won't create the ultimate space needed. Figuring out a plan will take a lot of listening, vision and leadership.

Here are some photos:

I love reading days

Reading, learning, studying and thinking are all part of my work. This was in the mail today. Add in a few newspapers and a bunch of on-line stuff and I am in heaven.

Get your Rettig for Supervisor window sticker

Johnson County Aging Specialist

The senior population of Johnson County is growing and accessing services is not always clear or easy. About nine years ago, Johnson County was approached by senior advocates that encouraged the Supervisors to create a Livable Community committee. Johnson County received an innovation award in 2009 for the Livable Community initiative.

I am serving on the Livable Community board for my second time. Each month, we talk about issues people aging are facing trying to age in place or in obtaining services. The Livable Community Resource Guide and quarterly newsletter are great resources to learn more about what is available and what is happening. You can find these at: www.livablecommunity.org

Even with all these wonderful volunteers in Livable Community, it became clear that people need so more. The Supervisors talked about the issue and authorized the hiring of an Aging Specialist. To understand a bit more about the job and the needs, please read this article:

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/johnson-countys-new-aging-specialist-to-help-seniors-20180303

Joint Meeting with Lone Tree

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors regularly holds joint meetings around the County with the cities. The next one is Monday in Lone Tree.  All are welcome to join us.

https://johnsoncountyia.iqm2.com//Citizens/detail_meeting.aspx?ID=2382