Senator Joni Ernst on her first visit to Greene County after being elected to serve in the US Senate did more listening and less talking than she did as a candidate last fall.
Ernst was in Jefferson Tuesday afternoon for a briefing about how Greene County implemented the Home Base Iowa initiative. Since becoming the first Home Base Iowa community last March, Greene County has set the standard for the rest of the state. Greene County Development Corporation executive director Ken Paxton has visited more than 40 cities and counties to explain the program. Paxton was not able to attend the Tuesday event.
The Tuesday briefing was held at the VFW hall and was hosted by local members of the VFW and American Legion. Jim Andrew, who was instrumental in developing the program, served as emcee and presenter. About 30 persons attended.
During the briefing, Ernst took notes. She made comments at the end. Ernst is a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard and was a company commander in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is the first female veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate.
Andrew and Home State Bank president Sid Jones told of learning of Gov Branstad’s proposed program to encourage veterans leaving service due to the draw down of troops at the same time a shortage in the employee pool was identified in Greene County.
Chris Nation, resident manager of West Central in Jefferson, told of the need for employees with computer skills even in the jobs previously thought to be “unskilled jobs.” He called Home Base Iowa a “tremendous opportunity” for West Central. “For us, it represents a group of people that are proven disciplined, proven that their ability to train in tough circumstances, and longevity and dedication. We couldn’t ask for a greater pool of employees to draw from,” Nation said.
Andrew reported that Home Base Iowa has been part of recruiting at least eight new families to the county.
Andrew said the “value” of a veteran has risen 50 percent since Home Base Iowa started. “We’ve had more thank yous for service, more people acknowledge us, we’re getting attendance at Legion and VFW meetings up, and we’re being asked to come and talk to the schools and to other people.”
Ernst spoke for about 10 minutes following the presentation, saying she is passionate about veterans’ issues. “Our veterans are great American men and women that have raised their right hand to defend our nation’s values, uphold the Constitution, in the face of great adversity. Thank you for acknowledging here in Greene County that these are individuals that you want in your community.”
She told of working at Fort Benning, GA, earlier in her career in a program to assist soldiers leaving the military in developing a plan for civilian employment. The program had no follow up once the soldiers left Fort Benning. “What you’re doing is pulling in veterans. You’re saying ‘Come to Greene County. We’re going to take care of you. We’re going to offer you opportunity.’ That’s what our veterans need. We want them to come to Iowa…. Let’s welcome them to Iowa and let’s provide them and their families opportunity,” Ernst said.
Ernst finished her visit with a trip to the top of the Mahanay Bell Tower.
