Seniors protest Reybrock’s departure
By James Card
It was standing room only at the lat Waupaca City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
Taking up all the seats and standing shoulder to shoulder against the walls of the council chambers, 47 senior citizens came to express their displeasure at the departure of Sara Reybrock, the Waupaca Senior Center coordinator.
City officials and Reybrock did not offer comments on the situation as the matter is a personnel issue. It was confirmed that Reybrock’s departure is related to a compensation dispute.
Because of the large crowd, Mayor Brian Smith immediately opened the meeting for public input.
Some of the visitors held hand-written signs that read: “Sara 4 Mayor,” “Sara Strong,” “Reinstate Sara,” “Seniors for Sara” and “Senior Strong.”
Reybrock and her teenage daughter were present at the meeting.
The first to step up to the podium was Harold Mohr, the instructor of the woodcarving group.
We feel a great disservice has been done. Not only to all of us as senior citizens but to the entire community of Waupaca. The Senior Center in Waupaca is talked about in a lot of places and in a very good light,” Mohr said.
“I guess what we don’t understand, in this day and age, when good employees are hard to find, and exceptional ones like Sara and her staff are, are so easily pushed to the side,” continued Mohr. “To try meet her request – for that not to happen – we just don’t feel it’s right.”
Roy Luellen was next at the podium.
“If a two, three, or five-year plan has been offered, at least we would have some glimmer of hope for our senior center coordinator. We the people, the members, the staff of the senior center hope this door is not closed. We need to do the right thing. In closing, I would to offer four words of advice,” said Luellen, raising a sign: “Peace, Love and Rock and Roll.”
He stepped away from the podium with a big round of applause.
Goes the extra mile
Next was Judy Shively, a member of the senior center since its inception.
“I have seen Sara and her staff work far beyond the call of duty. She always goes the extra mile and always with a smile. She gets to know each of our seniors personally and takes a very good interest in us. Her position might be filled but Sara can never be replaced for what she has done for us,” Shively said.
Gene Antoniewicz noted that Reybrock has a degree, a dozen certifications, started more than 30 programs, brought in grant money and overseen two accreditations. He suggested that the coordinator position to be changed to that of a director.
“She’s running an organization and she’s got people reporting to her,” Antoniewicz said.
Reybrock has been the coordinator since October 2015 and has a degree in therapeutic recreation from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She has more than 20 years of experience in working in nursing homes and has worked as an activities director and a volunteer coordinator.
“I have Parkinson’s disease and the Rock Steady [boxing] program has made a world of difference this year for me and the 20 others that have been attending classes over the various months this year. We need her and the city needs her,” Don Tommet said.
Fellow boxer Peter Manley of Wisconsin Rapids also spoke to the council.
“This program has members from Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids and Antigo. They drive quite a ways for it. Frankly, we are not here because of Sara, we are here because of Sara’s quality programming. And the quality of programming in the rest of the senior center is part of making quality of life that makes Waupaca attractive,” he said.
Doctor recommended
Jane Legault told the council that some of the programs at the senior center are recommended by doctors to help with age-related ailments. Legault also made a case that senior Waupaca residents are a growing demographic using statistics from the U.S. Census.
She also pointed out that Reybrock has brought in $25,000 in grant funding for the senior center.
“We have an incredible program here which matches or would overtake any other community. I travel a lot, I see a lot of other people who go to senior centers—they have nothing compared to this,” said Legault.
At the end of the public input, city council members and city officials did not make any comments and they continued with the regular meeting.
City Parks and Rec Director Andrew Whitman told the Waupaca County Post that he could not comment on Reybrock’s departure from city staff because it was a personnel matter.