Porter’s experience needed by Johnson County

Royceann Porter will make an excellent Johnson County upervisor because she recognizes that people are human beings and not statistical ciphers. This is important in Iowa where officials don't think people need to be talked to face-to-face, especially when it concerns affordable housing with a statistical numeric value, not a human value.

I have a dear friend who had to have her toe amputated because she is a diabetic and had no health insurance. I wanted to cry because no one had ever taken the time to talk to her face-to-face about how to obtain insurance, about the Free Medical Clinic, or about her fear of losing her housing. She is a short-order cook and being on her feet and a shortage of insulin led to infection and amputation.

I don't want this for my fellow Johnson County residents, friend or foe.

Furthermore, not being able to afford safe and secure housing can be a cause of the high rate of rural suicides that occurs in Johnson County where people feel they have no hope. Affordable housing is problematic throughout Johnson County.

Royceann's work with labor to obtain a decent livable wage marks her as one that understands $7.25 is a slave wage, which does not allow families to be families because it takes so many jobs to make end meet.

Mary Gravitt

Iowa City