Senator Grassley Visits Van Buren County

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition hosted a visit to Van Buren County by Senator Chuck Grassley for a question and answer time with community and coalition members.  This meeting was part of Senator Grassley’s annual tradition to hold at least one Q & A in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties each year. In attendance at the Q & A Session were: Gloria Brown – Van Buren County SAFE Coalition (Board Member), Melissa Daugherty – Van Buren County Hospital (Job Ops, PAT, and Coalition Board Member), Senator Grassley, Jennifer Heins – Senator Grassley’s Office (Director of Scheduling), Jeremy Hissem – Van Buren County Community School District (Superintendent and Coalition Member), Kasha Kite – Van Buren County Hospital (Chief Nursing Officer), Kara McEntee – Van Buren County Hospital (Chief Financial Officer), Lisa Plecker – Van Buren County Auditor (Coalition Board Member), Dean Rankin – Community Member, Kris Rankin – Van Buren County SAFE Coalition (Coordinator), Jon Tharp – Van Buren County Sheriff’s Deputy, and Penny Vacek – Senator Grassley’s Office (Regional Director). 

During the meeting Senator Grassley allowed the attendees to ask questions and share information on what was happening in their area of the community.  The issues discussed included substance misuse prevention work and substance misuse issues in the county, mental health, Paycheck Protection Program Loans, rural health care, back to school plans and guidance, transportation issues for schools and other entities in the county, etc.  Each attendee was allowed a time to present their information to the Senator and ask questions of him.  He also took time to ask questions of the individuals present about the work they are doing and issues they are facing. 

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition would like to thank Senator Grassley for allowing them to host this event and for coming to Van Buren County to interact with his constituents.  The coalition would also like to thank all of the community members who attended the meeting and added to the active and productive dialogue. 

For more information on the SAFE Coalition please check out these online sites: Blog: http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/; Website: http://www.van-buren.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/RESOURCES%7CSAFE%20COALITION; SAFE Coalition Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountysafecoalition/; YLC Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountyyouthleadershipcouncil/ or you may contact the coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.