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Federal aid uncertain as Marshalltown mayor meets President Trump

AP PHOTO President Donald Trump pumps his fist after getting off Air Force One in Dubuque. Marshalltown Mayor Joe Greer was in attendance and shook hands with Trump one week after the tornado came through Marshalltown.

DUBUQUE — While Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer shook hands with President Donald Trump just one week after an EF-3 tornado swept through the heart of Marshalltown, not promise of federal was made. Greer shook hands with Trump as he got off Air Force One prior to a workforce discussion held in Dubuque.

Trump asked how things were going and Greer told the president Marshalltown still needed a lot of help. U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, who visited Marshalltown the day after the tornado, was also aboard Air Force One with Trump.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg were also in attendance, along with the mayors of Pella and Bondurant, Iowa communities also hit hard by storms last Thursday. Greer said he was given contact information for a person in the governor’s office who could give the go ahead to get the National Guard’s help in Marshalltown.

Just before Monday’s city council meeting, the White House staff informed Greer about the meeting. They said they wanted him and a first responder to be in attendance so the president could thank them. Greer was accompanied by Marshalltown Fire Chief Chris Cross.

“Overall it was a really good three or four hours spent,” Greer said. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is expected in Marshalltown Friday morning, adding another avenue for hope to federal disaster relief.

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