No way I would join WASI now

To the editor:

Over the last several months I have read with interest what is going on at the Wasilla Area Senior Center. At times I hesitated, thinking maybe Ms. Kaplan had some valid points. But, in looking back at all the articles written by reporters of the Frontiersman — whom I believe to be un-biased and there only to report the news — and letters from members, I have come to the conclusion that at this time I, and maybe many other seniors out there who may need or want a place to go and join others of like needs and wants, will not join.

The most recent Frontiersman editorial was on this subject. It was very fair, very balanced and certainly speaks for who I’m sure are many people who don’t yet belong to WASI. If we belong anywhere, in any organization formed to benefit a group of people, there do have to be rules or bylaws to follow, but they should be monitored and adopted by all members, not a select few people with delusions of grandeur. We do not have kings and queens in this country with absolute rule.

The fact, that the Frontiersman, an entity that could even help to be a mediator in this conflict because it has no horse in the race, is turned away, given no answers and threatened with legal action tells me we may have a queen at the helm of WASI.

I am just a few months shy of being a full-privileged member. Last year when the fitness center was being advertised I was very interested. As someone who is disabled with chronic pain, it would have been a godsend to me. I called the center and spoke directly with the fitness director and later came in and she took me on a tour, told me of all the great plans they had. For someone in my situation and I’m sure for many of the seniors currently at the center (though maybe not disabled, they may have chronic issues) the fitness center made a huge difference in their daily lives. I ended up being sent to PT and did not join, but planned on joining this year when I could be a full member.

There is no way I would join now! Not because I don’t care, it’s because I have a tendency to care too much and get too involved in issues, and then it hurts me physically, that I can’t join.

There are serious issues at WASI. I’m trying to be fair here and say the board might have a few valid points. However, after reading the multitude of extremely well-written letters detailing how the seniors are being treated, they can’t all be wrong. Where there is smoke there is fire. What a consummate insult to refer to seniors as “frail.” Just the fact that the board sees their members this way tells me they are out of touch.

That a few seniors have now banded together to form Elder Watch, good for them! They are showing the board and the community that they may be senior, but their minds still work just fine and they are not going to be railroaded!

At this point, as an outsider looking in, it seems as though the current board needs to either step down in its entirety, or at a minimum the bylaws have to be fixed and adhered to in an open and honest manner. Allow the Frontiersman in to all meetings, answer all requests for information openly and promptly. If you are supposedly doing your jobs correctly, then you, the board, should have nothing to hide.

Karen Nichols

Houston