WASI, members have opportunity to make significant progress

There appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. members.

After months of mounting frustration with a perceived lack of attention to the wishes and needs of WASI members, there seems to be a new attitude of cooperation and contrition coming from Executive Director Sondra Kaplan and the group’s board of directors.

Mat-Su Elder Watch, a WASI watchdog group, and Wasilla City Councilwoman Dianne Woodruff have appealed to the state Attorney General’s Office, Department of Health and Social Services and even Sen. Linda Menard to intervene. And it seems those appeals have been noticed by Duane Mayes, disability services director for the state’s Division of Senior Disability Services. Although his plate is full as the legislative session in Juneau winds down, he hopes to attend Thursday’s regularly scheduled WASI board meeting.

Saying he’s heard the pleas from Wasilla seniors, Mayes stated he’d “like to go out and reach out to those folks in person to see if there’s anything I can do to help.”

Having an independent, impartial person — and one familiar with senior issues — could be just what the doctor ordered for WASI, its members and its critics.

Emotions have run high, and we’re pleased there appears to be genuine progress being made to address the concerns of local seniors.

In a letter to the Frontiersman responding to the appeals to the state, Kaplan, WASI board president Mary Sears and board member Mike Chmielewski promise the group is listening to those concerns and that “there is a process in place to address the concerns in an appropriate manner.”

What’s been pushed to the back row in this debate is the good work and essential services WASI provides on a daily basis. The lingering feud has hampered the organization’s efforts to raise funds, which is a shame. A recent telephone fund-raiser brought in a fraction of what it has in the past, and Wasilla City Council continues to hedge on granting WASI’s $35,000 request to help fund its food services. While only time will tell if WASI follows through on its promises to be more open, transparent and attentive to the concerns of members, it’s an important first step. We hope WASI and its members put their best feet forward this week, meet with Mayes and move forward with a renewed attitude of unity.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.” We’re confident the strain at WASI hasn’t broken, and that it and its members can emerge truly united.