Meal program denial 'beyond comprehension'

To the Editor:

I attended the Feb. 20 board meeting of the Aging Unit of Iron County. Speaking as one who was raised in Hurley and moved to Mercer, Wis., in 1957 — and worked closely with the Aging Unit years ago — I could not believe what I saw and heard.

To think anyone in their right mind would arbitrarily cut off meals in the dead of winter to an elderly disabled man living in poverty is beyond my comprehension.

For the executive director of the Aging Unit to drop someone from the meals program without a careful evaluation of that person’s circumstances is unprofessional. For her to deny billing him for $60 when her signed letter is in circulation raises ethical issues.

Watching all this makes me question who would put such a person in charge of an important program with the primary mission of providing meals to elderly and disabled people.

One of the gentlemen who spoke during the public comment part of the meeting said the executive director’s performance was “shameful.”

Frankly, I think it was much worse than that, and I just hope that people who care about our elderly and disabled shut-ins and care about this program are watching to make sure this never happens again.

Mary Ann Sabec

Mercer