To the Editor:
As past and present Council on Aging board members and colleagues of the current chairperson, Leanne Jasset, we feel compelled to write regarding the outrageous allegations by former COA Director Rita Kalcos. She has stated that her dismissal is somehow the result of retaliation for Leanne referring “non-seniors” to the COA for assistance.
Wiliam Keegan, Town Administrator, writes in his Dismissal Decision to Kalcos, dated Feb. 20, 2010;
“Your attempts to blame and even discredit Ms. Jasset are disturbing … You claim that Ms. Jasset initiated the investigation of you hiring your son to retaliate against you because the two of you had a disagreement about her referring disabled individuals who were not senior citizens to the COA for assistance. This is simply untrue.”
We are all honored and truly privileged to have once, or now serve as dedicated volunteers. We believe that we have a responsibility to not only contribute to our respective Boards, but to assist those who are in need, regardless of their age, gender, or circumstance. Leanne Jasset’s beliefs are no different!
Since being elected to the Board of Health, Leanne Jasset has served as its liaison to the COA. One only needs to know Leanne Jasset to know that both professionally, in her capacity as a well-respected pharmacist, or personally, as a wife, mother, and friend, helping others is what she is all about. Leanne Jasset is always available to lend an ear, offer advice, or suggest where one may find help to resolve his or her problem. As long time civic volunteers, each of us can say we have responded to individuals who have looked to us for help. Would turning someone away be the right thing to do? Is that what we would expect from those in public service?
The inaccurate accusations of recent events involving the dismissal of Kalcos has created a most unfortunate situation for Leanne Jasset, and has resulted in an unwarranted and unfounded attack on her integrity, both personally and professionally. It is evident to all who know her that there could be no truth to this nonsense.
It has also been said that Leanne Jasset has “an agenda.” In the many years we have all had the privilege and pleasure of knowing Leanne Jasset, we can say with certainty that she does indeed have an agenda; Leanne Jasset’s agenda has been and continues to be that of helping others.
Perhaps the saying is true---”No good deed goes unpunished.”
It is our hope that a period has now been put at the end of the sentence. We believe it is time to move on to the important work at hand – supporting, advising and providing services for one of our most precious resources – the seniors of Dedham.
Marie-Louise Kehoe
Margot Pyle
Maureen Teti
Ann Peterson
Theresa Haugh
Amanda Perry
Geraldine Pacheco
Eileen Lombardi
