Blog: Waterloo and Delhi

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Tour of VGM

This morning I stopped by VGM and Associates in Waterloo to take a tour and meet with employees. VGM specializes in purchasing and providing home medical equipment to small businesses, and has a great facility that houses nearly 500 employees.

It was fascinating to learn about their growth process - VGM has expanded into insurance and even purchasing sports equipment for golf courses. I especially enjoyed visiting their onsite fitness center and hearing about the exercise classes they offer. Research has shown that investments in workplace wellness boost productivity and lower health care costs, and it was refreshing to see a company that not only understands this, but puts it into practice.

Visit with Former Atalissa Workers

After my morning visit at VGM, I headed over to Exceptional Persons' Inc. to meet with several men who had worked at the Henry Turkey Service in Atalissa. The company, which employed the men to butcher and process turkeys, was closed by the Department of Health and Human Services in February of 2009. We talked about the living and working conditions they experienced and the frustrations they dealt with during their time there.

We also discussed their transition into new housing and employment. These men have a great spirit, and they are assets to their communities. It was an honor to meet with them, and with Chris Sparks, the director of Exceptional Persons' Inc. I look forward to doing everything within my power to see that justice is served in this case.

Tour of the Delhi Dam Area

After lunch I drove from Waterloo over to Delhi to meet Donna Boss, the Delaware County Economic Development Director. We went out to Joe and Lori Hoeger's farm in Hopkinton to survey the damage that had been done to their land when the Lake Delhi dam breached in July. The Hoegers had about 120 acres of pasture and 70 acres of field corn affected by the flooding. Joe took me down to the edge of the water, where I got a good look.

We also visited the dam itself, and I was struck by the devastation there. There has been a lot of confusion as to how the cleanup will be financed, and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Jim Willey, President of the Lake Delhi Recreation Association, to learn more about how FEMA has previously classified the area.

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