With Metiva out, Wasilla chamber can start new

Finally, Cheryl Metiva did the right thing. While not repentant for sending the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce into a public relations quagmire — and a fiscal mess — she is moving on and so can the chamber.

But no one should think this episode is over. The chamber is in financial trouble and much of that can be directly attached to Metiva. That’s why a third-party audit must still go forward.

Every dollar should be accounted for and if, in fact, she has repaid some of the charges on the chamber credit card, there needs to be proof of that. If she hasn’t, there needs to be some explanations the business community that supports the chamber can believe.

Or there should be charges filed, or a civil suit against her or a lien on her home until all the money is back in the chamber’s account.

Do you think that’s a little harsh? You wouldn’t if it were your money.

Before she came to work, the chamber had reserves in five figures. Now they don’t have enough to pay attention.

Filing charges against Metiva isn’t out of line even if she does repay the money. In court that’s called restitution.

Think about it this way: Somebody steals your car and then a week or two later brings it back. Would that satisfy you?

There is a case in Anchorage that is eerily similar to what has happened to the Wasilla chamber.

The Anchorage Daily News has been reporting about Travis Robinson, who has admitted online that he stole more than $108,000 from the nonprofit Alaska Marine Conservation Council. He used the council’s credit cards to spend on personal gifts to himself: televisions, trips, meals, spending sprees at stores.

The executive director of the council resigned.

Now Robinson is on run the and wanted by authorities for felony theft and fraud charges.

When he is found, he’ll be doing prison time.

Some people near Metiva have commented that she didn’t know what she was doing was wrong. Do they think she’s 12?

This woman, by most accounts, is a sharp cookie, but still managed to overcharge the credit card limit at least six times in a couple of years.

The chamber has done away with the charge cards, but that cow has left the barn.

The third-party audit needs to happen sooner rather than later so the chamber can begin to regain its credibility in the community. In the meantime, the chamber members shouldn’t let Metiva out of their sight.