Group discusses poverty issues

from Valley News Online

By Becky Synacek,

About 25 people gathered Sunday afternoon, Dec. 10, for dialogue on poverty and economic development in the Shenandoah Historical Museum's Delmonico room.

The dialogue, led by Frank and Kimberlee Spillers of Global Horizons economic development company, was open to everyone.

"The goal was to look at economic development from a different point of view," said Kim Spillers. "Iowa is a low wage state and we need to determine whether or not we have the kind of wages here that people can live on."

Another focus of the dialogue was to inform the public that not everyone was taught the skills of money management and that many people struggle to make ends meet.

"The majority of our population is one paycheck away from disaster," Kim Spillers said.

Mark Heninger of Lloyd's and Habitat for Humanity said he was happy the dialogue took place.

"I'm glad Shenandoah conducted it," he said. "I'm glad someone is talking about it because it is an issue."

Shenandoah Mayor Richard "Dick" Hunt said he learned from the experience.

"I learned that insurance and health care are really big issues,' he said.

Gregg Connell, Shenandoah Chamber and Industry executive director also learned the importance of these things.

"I learned that a good paying job is not all that is needed," he said. "Benefits, health insurance and retirement are also very important. All these together make a good job and the dialogue has led me to renew my efforts to make more of these types of job available."

Connell offered his services to those seeking jobs.

"At least I can give them the opportunity to maybe meet an HR person rather than just handing in a resume," he said. "It's all about hope and opportunity and through my job I can provide that."