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Bibo: Mold in VA clinic shuts facility for repairs

____________________________________

By _TERRY BIBO (tbibo@...)_ (mailto:tbibo@...)

OF THE JOURNAL STAR

Posted Aug 08, 2009 @ 09:01 PM

Last update Aug 08, 2009 @ 09:02 PM

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PEORIA —

Starting Monday, the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Downtown Peoria will be

shut for two weeks.

Depending upon the excitability of your source, the reason is toxic mold

or G. Becker’s lack of attention via bankruptcy. Or both.

There are elements of truth to both rumors, although neither is entirely

accurate. A couple of things are certain: There is mold in there. Becker or

one of his offshoots did own that building, for almost 30 years. And now

cleaning it up is expected to cost $600,000. The U.S. government will split

the cost with the new owners.

This story started a couple of weeks ago with an anonymous tip: After the

roof started leaking, nasty mold began circulating through the VA Clinic. A

study showed serious problems. A plan to shift operations to Proctor

Hospital was scotched because of the cost. Months later, the clinic was going

to

take care of it. Now staff members were being asked to use some of their

personal vacation and leave time during the shutdown.

“A lot of employees are getting sick,†the caller said. “They’re scared

to talk.â€......