Now that is community!

To the editor:

After a 20-day notice that the lease was terminated, the Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District recently moved its office from the Meta Rose Square building in Wasilla to the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman office off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. The interesting challenge was, due to drastically reduced funding, the District did not have financial nor physical resources to entirely make the move on our own.

Refreshingly — and in answer to prayers — the community pitched in to ensure we vacated on time.

First, we are grateful to you, Heather Resz, as managing editor, for connecting us with your publisher, Mark Kelsey, which resulted in an offer to provide a temporary space in the Frontiersman building, thus, keeping us off the «homeless» list!

Second, Eddie Ezelle, Executive Director of the Mat-Su Food Bank helped us by providing a large truck and driver for the major move.

Others to commend as community «heroes» include: volunteers LuAnn Andre and Joseph Phillips, for boxing and transporting; the moving day crew, which includes Dwayne Shelton, Mat-Su Food Bank, LDS Church Missionary Elders Timmons, Carlson, Clark, and Billeter, and John Schirack; the logistics and cleanup crew, which includes Megan Vincent, owner of Younique Boutique, Al Glatz with the City of Wasilla, Bob Shumaker, President of the Alaska Farmers Union, Franci Havemeister, Director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture, Frontiersman reporter Brian O›Connor, and Dan Lucas of Greatland Welding and Fabrication; and any unknown, behind-the-scenes folks who may have slipped by us. Kudos to all!

We remain vigilant in our search for a long-term, low-cost office space to continue community service operations. Because of the kindness of the Frontiersman, we now have some breathing room.

For more than 66 years, the District has been helping fellow neighbors with conservation needs via technical assistance and practical projects and programs. It is rather humbling and gratifying to accept the spirit that was extended to us in our unexpected time of need. That is community — thanks!

Chuck Kaucic

District Manager

Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District