• FLOODS of '08 VIDEO
Hundreds of Eastern Iowans have lost their jobs in the last few months. Just about every week there seems to be more lay offs. Cryovac, Whirlpool, Yellowbook they're all cutting. But with the state of the economy is there any hope?
Wednesday CBS 2 met up with Governor Chet Culver as he toured the plumbing training facility at Kirkwood Community College. We asked him if there was a way to keep jobs from disappearing in Iowa. He didn't have much of a solution. Just that he will continue to promote job training like the classes here at Kirkwood.
Governor culver also assured CBS 2 that flood recovery is still his number one priority going into the next legislative session. But with the economy and the flood some worry it's just too much for the government to get a handle on.
Many in the flood zone say they do not feel as though they are getting the help they need. On many streets there is still flood debris piled up on the curb. Many say their streets have rarely been plowed this winter making it hard for them to get in and get the work done they need to do. But most importantly they still are not back into their homes. And now some are without jobs as well.
"I'm currently looking for work, currently on unemployment," says Chris Wenger.
Wenger says the search is a job in itself. The Army National Guard Specialist says he just returned from duty in Iraq. His homecoming: the flood, a new baby girl to take care of and no job.
"I've had more help from the VFW and the American Legion than I have from the state right now. The state honestly has really caused me nothing but heartache."
Chris says he feels all that comes out of elected officials’ mouths right now is lip service. He says what some officials say and what they actually get done is not the same thing. He says the condition of many of the flooded homes in downtown Cedar Rapids is proof that for some what is currently in place in not working.
“I’m tired of hearing talk,” says Wenger
Right now Chris says they are barely able to pay the rent. He says their FEMA money has been delayed. And he says Governor Culver's pitch for more job training isn't enough.
"What good is training if you have no job to go do when you are done?"Governor Culver Visits CR
