Another message to STRS Board Chairman Brown on the issue of public speaking slots and equity for all

Dear Dr. Brown,

I am a retiree who lives in Columbus and have easy access to STRS Board meetings. I am also younger than many retirees, in excellent health and have no problem with driving, so getting to STRS is no problem for me, and I am there for many Board meetings.

However, there are many retirees who must drive great distances to get here from all parts of the state, many of them not in the best of health, and for whom today's gas prices may force them to make sacrifices to get here. Will they be told they may not get a chance to speak to the Board when they show up at a meeting?

Remember, your next door neighbor, OEA, has launched a campaign to get out their speakers, possibly in an effort to make up for their notable absence the past 2-1/2 years. This is fine; I'd like to hear what they have to say; hopefully, they will recognize and have some solutions to many of the problems facing STRS today. But I also believe we need a level playing field.

This is an issue that cannot wait until next February. Emergency measures must be put into place now. February may be too late for some of these people. If you have the power to delay the decisions on this issue until February, you also have the power to put a temporary solution in place until then. This needs to be resolved before October 20, less than two weeks away. Please -- do the right thing; find an equitable solution for all.

Thank you.
Kathie Bracy
10/13/05