WASI seniors’ questions remain unanswered

After several weeks of trying to communicate with the Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. board, the troubled affairs of WASI are still roiling. Questions have been raised as to the deep cloak of secrecy — “confidentiality” — engineered by Mrs. Kaplan. We feel that the affairs of a public charitable organization should be transparent, with information supplied if legitimately requested. We wonder what there is to hide.

Recently, the WASI board has conceded to a few minor requests. There is now a sign on the locked office doors that the staff is available to members at any time. The formerly closed and curtained inquiries window is now open. The staff is making an effort to communicate with members by coming from behind the locked doors into the dining hall. We have requested a directory of members, have volunteered to do the actual work and have been denied the information.

Why?

This fundamental question remains unanswered.

According to the WASI by-laws, authority resides in the membership, whose decisions are relayed to the board, and from the board to the executive director.

This board refuses to recognize members’ rights, and to all appearances, is dominated by the executive director. Neither the board nor the director is empowered to make policy decisions. Members have been stonewalled as to whether WASI is $81,000 in debt or in danger of closing. Several requests for a balance sheet and cost analysis have been labeled “confidential.” Information has been requested about the staff — what are their duties and salaries?

“Confidential,” we’re told.

Why was the fitness club closed permanently after six months of successful operation in spite of a $135,000 grant? We did learn — not from the director — that WASI had billed the Mat-Su Health Foundation for expenses incurred before the grant was operative but had not billed for the three months after.

Why at a Wasilla City Council meeting where a $36,000 food grant was being debated, could WASI staff not supply the financial information requested? They admittedly “didn’t know.” To this date, city council has not received that information, although the grant was still possible.

Why did the director blame Mat-Su Elder Watch for the refusal?

Two employees were terminated without reference to the procedure in the by-laws. Two others were demoted and their salaries cut. Kaplan also has ordered the chef (one of those demoted) to fire two of his kitchen staff this week.

A Spectrum in the Feb. 1 Frontiersman reveals that MEA must pay $650,000 in damages to two employees illegally terminated. It is expected litigation in the case will cost another $1 million. And two of WASI’s illegally terminated employees are seeking legal recourse.

The fitness center is a major bone of contention. The franchise was launched last July under the direction of Karla Atwood, a well-known master trainer with added medical and therapeutic experience. During the first three months, nine classes were established with open gym for the remainder of the day. The gym membership was increasing steadily until one day, class members found a “closed” sign on the door.

The club computer was removed to the main office. After that, two additional class schedules were placed on Mrs. Atwood’s desk, effectively closing down the existing classes. Mrs. Atwood was instructed to refuse any new applicants and that fees would be returned to the class members. About 20 applicants were turned away.

Diana Straub was moved into the gym office and designated as Mrs. Attwood’s supervisor. (We were not told whether Mrs. Straub’s salary would be charged to the gym account.) Overnight, the locks were changed on the gym door, leaving Mrs. Atwood locked out. No reason was given for this. Then Mrs. Atwood was offered a contract as an independent contractor. Though Mrs. Kaplan and Mrs. Straub made several appointments with her, none was met. Finally, she received a letter from Mrs. Straub designating her a “hostile” employee and saying that she refused further contact. There was no reason given for any of these destructive measures, nor was it clear that Mrs. Kaplan was authorized to override Mrs. Atwood’s decisions.

Mrs. Kaplan has announced that the gym would re-open full time on Feb. 1, if volunteers can be found to man it. At this point, we wonder about the $135,000 Mat-Su Health Foundation grant.

WASI seniors want their gym program back with Mrs. Atwood in charge.

At this point, there are no activities programs for WASI seniors. There is a large dining hall, two large meeting rooms, an activity room with a Wii machine and a computer game. Locked in a closet is a large-screen TV with DVD equipment. All of this expensively remodeled expanse is empty and unused while seniors sit alone and lonely at home. It would be possible to have an extensive program using the talents of members. Several volunteers’ services have been rudely refused or ignored. I have volunteered to try to start a viable activities program and will continue to do so.

I am Mary Hall, a 93-year old WASI member. I am wheelchair bound and was one of several others who were seeing improvement in mobility through Mrs. Atwood’s classes. Randy Smith and Lois Wier add their voices to mine. Many other class members required specially designed exercises for elderly failings.

Mat-Su Elder Watch will continue to press for senior rights and responsible governance.

Mary Hall, a WASI member for about a year, retired after 62 years of teaching high school. She was a volunteer in WASI’s Club 50 Fitness center at one point this past year and witnessed some of the struggles there between WASI management and employees.