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When the elders questioned the youngsters they received no answers and no indication any are forthcoming.
They also asked the juniors for specific information and no one said it would be provided.
When the Kosciusko Council on Aged and Aging met in their regularly scheduled quarterly meeting Wednesday, more than 60 center members gathered to quiz the board.
Tammy Denlinger, board of directors president, told the group the agenda would be seen to first and then the seniors could address the group.
"We're not here for a question-and-answer period," Denlinger said after the regular business was concluded.
She said the board wanted to hear questions and concerns, giving each speaker three minutes to "share" with them.
She indicated the senior center's monthly newsletter is the board's way of communicating with the community and thereafter held her comments, except to quiet the occasional boos and hoots.
Comments were taken from a dozen members for half an hour.
Several comments were made about Jack Felger, who has served as executive director since 1995.
Jeannie Kuczewski said one of the requirements for the center's executive director was a passion for the elderly and Felger came up short in this area. She said Felger doesn't even say hello to folks, has made staff members cry and spends hours playing games on the computer in his office.
"How many hours is the executive director supposed to work?" she asked. "He is never here in the afternoons."
Kuczewski said Felger didn't seem to be visiting civic or governmental groups or doing any fund-raising. She asked where the shipments of food were, shipments that used to be available to the needy.
Wilodene Andrews, acting activity director, spoke in Felger's defense, saying the senior center is alive and well, and that Felger's door is always open.
"Always locked you mean," said someone from the back, and the booing and hissing began.
Andrews said it was entirely unnecessary to send letters to the editor of the Times-Union for all to see, which really raised a commotion.
When the crowd quieted, Andrews said Felger is a champion of the handicapped and the sick, and accused former activity director Jim Smelser, who quit about three weeks ago and was not present, of bucking the system and putting all monies in the senior citizens club account.
"The center belongs to us," said Pauline Kinsey. "You are our servants."
She said money raised by the club belonged to the club, which was established in 1966 and had used various meeting places over the years.
"We feel we're looked down on by the board," she said, referring to a letter sent to the board 2-1/2 years ago and was never answered.
"You ignored us," she said.
Kinsey talked about a time when she broke her foot at the center and was told there was no insurance available. When she contacted an Area II representative she was told there was liability insurance - there had to be.
Kinsey suggested the park board or the city take over the center's operation.
Avis Gormaloose asked about a Senior Center Opportunity Committee and why one wasn't established.
Marv Oakley asked why Smelser's hours were cut from 30 per week to 20 per week before he quit.
"This isn't about Jim," someone said, "it's about us."
Norma Roose asked why only 15 members of the board are listed when the by-aws call for 25 elected members.
In the only answer from the board that day, Roose was told the bylaws have been changed.
Roose asked to see an updated version. She said she wants to know how the board was appointed to their positions.
Florence Reimer asked why the buses haven't been available for transportation in the evening for months, when many activities are scheduled, and now they are suddenly running at night.
Freda Davidson said when Smelser was activity director things really changed, new furniture was bought and different programs were implemented.
"The atmosphere here just isn't the same since Jim left," she said.
Kinsey said, "Remember, you're servants. You may not have it in your minds, but you are."
Kuczewski spoke again, telling the board the handy helpers and handy homemakers programs were virtually unadvertised, that no one knows of their existence.
She asked why a particular restaurant supply store was used to purchase cleaning materials when buying from another retailer would have saved hundreds of dollars a year.
"We want to have the budget posted," she said. "Bring the book work up to date and let us know how and where the money is being spent."
When Denlinger called for the meeting to adjourn, someone in the back said the board knew the members were coming.
"We shouldn't have had to sit through the regular meeting, you should have scheduled time for us," he said.
Kosciusko County Council on Aged and Aging board of directors are: Denlinger; Joanne Kolbe, secretary; Karl J. Reusser, treasurer; Felger; Suzie Light, board committee chairwoman; and members: James Miller, Annie Ryan, James Schmidt, Ellen Schwendeman, Bob Smith, Michael Wray, Virginia Cain, Leanne Coffman, Jane Eherenman, John Handel and Art Gackstetter, who was appointed Wednesday.
