Focusing efforts on tornado relief
I want to begin this column by saying thank you to the voters who returned me to the Statehouse to continue representing all of you in Marshalltown, Bangor, Liscomb, Albion, Green Mountain and the rural areas in between. It is an honor to continue serving you.
As I knocked on doors throughout Marshalltown, it reinforced what I already knew: considerable and long-term efforts are needed to restore residential and commercial property. I made it a point to distribute as many flyers about the additional tornado relief moneys that homeowners may be able to access telephone 641-754-6583 to obtain more information). In doing so, I walked through the affected neighborhoods from 16th Street to 15th Avenue.
While I am grateful that there has been state aid and private financial contributions, I am very concerned that we did not receive the Individual FEMA assistance grants. While this is still under appeal, it has been five months in which the taxpayers who were affected by the tornado have not received this aid while many others across our nation have received this support.
The damage in Marshalltown is still heartbreaking.
This was a major reason why I decided to not seek reelection as Minority Leader in the Iowa House of Representatives. While I enjoyed traveling Iowa and meeting with so many different people across our state, I feel I need to be in my district more to provide as much help as possible to those affected by the tornado.
This was why I notified my caucus on Nov. 10 that I would not being seeking re-election to the Minority Leader position after serving in it for more than five years.
My religious affiliation is Disciples of Christ and I worship at Central Christian Church here in Marshalltown. Like so many other congregations, we’ve opened our doors to agencies and programs to provide long-term aid. I know there is discussion of our congregation becoming a “Week of Compassion” station where people will come, stay for a period of time and help.
The block on Bromley Street where Second Baptist Church is located is an example of how much work is still needed and why efforts like the “Week of Compassion” workers are still needed. I contacted Pastor Cooley shortly after the storm to see if his congregation needed a temporary home and his response was that the congregation was committed to worshiping where they had for so many years. Helping them do so is just one of many acts of kindness still needed.
Next week, we celebrate Thanksgiving. Agencies are working diligently to ensure the holiday is a time for families to enjoy great food and great kinship. Any and all help supporting these efforts is greatly appreciated.
Here is wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
I can be reached at 641-750-9278 or at mark.smith@legis.iowa.gov.