Molly confronts Bill Leibensperger and OEA Central on remarks published in 'Communique'

. . . and you cite 'exaggerations' but you can't give examples; please explain

From: Molly Janczyk
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 3:22 PM
To: Gary Allen and Bill Liebensperger
Subject: "Naysayers" says OEA; and an OEA Fairy Tale vs. FACTS and ques. for Bill L.

It continues with the: Name calling starts under section: **WHAT HAPPENED: I am sorry for the length but hope you find this informative.(( )) indicates my words inserted in places in the article.

The Nov. issue of the Central OEA/NEA 'Communique' has a lengthy article written by Bill Leibensperger. In spite of asking that the rhetoric stop so we can move forward on HC legislation, the editorial states:

"Sept. STRS board meeting was successful one for OEA due to quick and effective action. He goes on saying he will tell what happened, why it is important and make a plea for action on behalf of OEA members.

RESULTS THEY WANTED: He speaks of the positive outcome of the day. The STRS and HCA's: Member Educ. and Engagement Campaign and Proposal was adopted and endorsed afterwards by OEA Exec. Comm. members will be asked guidance and opinions on a change of law so a dedicated stream of revenue can be created to sustain a health care benefit for both current and future retirees. ((THAT is good)).

WHY OEA TESTIFIED: OEA has been a key leader in the HCA working in collaboration with STRS board members and staff for last couple of yrs. AT THIS TIME WHEN FINALLY READY to craft legislative proposal with the approval of memberships, THE FACE OF THE STRS BOARD CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY. No longer is there and active majority of contributing members on the board and CONCERN THAT THE 3 NEW STATUTORY MEMBERS CREATED BY SB 133-'investment experts' appointed by the Gov., Pres. of House and Pres. of Senate and Speaker of the House-MIGHT HAVE A MORE NARROW INTEREST THAN THOSE BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED BY THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SYSTEM LED TO SOME VERY EFFECTIVE POLITICAL ACTION IN SEPT. THAT I (BILL L.) HOPE YOU (OEA MEMBERS) WILL HELP US BUILD UPON IN COMING MONTHS."

((INSERT NOTE: by Molly.J.: REMEMBER, THESE INVESTMENT EXPERTS WERE APPOINTED DUE TO THE SPENDING OF OUR MONEY BY THE PREVIOUS 5 OEA ACTIVE BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN OR MOST LIKELY WILL BE INDICTED FOR THESE ETHIC VIOLATIONS FORCING THE NEW SB133 WHICH PLACES OVERSIGHT BY INVESTMENT EXPERTS ON THE BOARD AND THE ABILITY TO REMOVE VIOLATORS IN THE FUTURE. Most of the previous and some of the current board members haven't a clue about investments and have had to play catch up re: finances. CONNI RAMSER ASKS LOTS OF QUESTIONS TO HER CREDIT BUT ADMITS TO KNOWING LITTLE WHEN SHE JOINED THE BOARD AND JUST MONTHS AFTER SHE WAS SEATED, IT WAS BEEN SAID BY AT LEAST ONE OF HER CO-BOARD MEMBERS, THAT SHE DIDN'T BELONG ON THE BOARD AS SHE WAS LOST IN THE DISCUSSIONS.. That was probably the norm in yrs. past BUT now, MOST of the board members are very fluent in finances having served on boards and possessing a better understanding of such issues than Conni. Leone and Lazares and the investment experts also researched issues and know what questions to ask and what points to make for a much more knowledgeable and effective, efficient board. They hit the ground running vs. spending time and money being trained in areas past elected board members knew little or nothing about wasting a year more getting 'with it.' m.j.))

Back to the Bill's editorial:

The article goes on:

WHO SAID WHAT:

"Being made aware that STRS would be entertaining a motion that will shape the future of retiree HC benefits for our (OEA) members, 18 active and retired OEA members composed testimony that stressed the importance of the compact between the STRS and public school educators for HC and retirement benefits and public policy that protects it. ((A list of names follows of those who)) spoke "ELOQUENTLY EXPRESSING THEIR SUPPORT FOR STRS'S CONTINUAL EFFORTS TOW COST CONTAINMENT AND MEMBER EDUC. AND ENTHUSIASM FOR SURVEYING MEMBERS AND EMPLOYERS. THEY ALSO addressed the importance of the 35 yr benefits and the peril of shifting to a defined contribution plan for HC. With the assistance of OEA and HCA, I (Bill L.) also testified and coordinated testimonies."

**WHAT HAPPENED:

"They made a huge impact. (The 18 speakers) STRS Board members and staff alike commented on the POWER of their professional, articulate and passionate testimony.

THE STARK CONTRAST BETWEEN THE OEA MEMBERS AND TOO MANY OF THE USUAL ((THAT WOULD BE US: CORE)) PARTICIPANTS IN THE PUBLIC INPUT portion of meeting who have launched personal insults, unreasonable demands and angry diatribes for the past couple of years was a vivid one. A positive, unintended consequence of this testimony by these professional educators was the huge morale boost it gave to a beleaguered STRS staff and board."

******

QUESTIONS FOR BILL L.:

1. Did we not have a chat about this? This rhetoric which is a fairy tale, hurts actives and retirees. By not giving them the facts, you continue to perpetuate untrue rumor and harm cooperation between all YOUR membership.

I addressed you about this type of talk and asked you to provide ONE SHRED OF EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING SAID BY CORE OR LEONE AND LAZARES WAS UNTRUE OR NOT STEEPED IN FACT. YOU SAID, "THERE WERE EXAGGERATIONS IN LEONE'S REPORTS AS ALLEN." I asked you to GIVE ME ONE! You were unable to do so after repeatedly trying to say there were exaggerations. I said CORE wishes to ALWAYS retract any statement not correct and to tell me anything not true and that it was all substantiated BY INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS: KOSTYU of the Canton Repository, ((WHO WON AN AWARD FOR HIS INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH ON STRS)), OLHEMACHER of the Cleveland Plain Dealer who broke the story on 6/08/03 followed by subsequent articles, JEFF HIRSCH WHO REPORTED TO CH.12 CINCI., and many more. FACTS regarding the misspending were PROVIDED BY DAMON ASBURY, EXEC DIREC OF STRS, and DENNIS LEONE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR HIS RESEARCH PAPER ON STRS.

((I told Bill that he was saying they were all lying if he continued his remarks. At that time, he simply said , Well , there were a lot of facts in the report and gave me NOTHING that was an exaggeration. I then said, again, that CORE was REACTIVE to OEA rhetoric and IF OEA STOPPED, GUESS WHAT? NO REACTION! He said he understood but could not control others but indicated he would try or that was my understanding. WELL: HE CERTAINLY DIDN'T TRY HARD AS HE CONTINUES TO INSULT CORE THOUGH DOES NOT NAME US. I continued that we were going to start addressing this issue by ASKING him directly at meetings to PRODUCE FACTS for his comments and that he needs to come prepared or stop this. So Bill,

2. QUES: WHICH FACT OR ITEM WAS EXAGGERATED IN ANY OF OUR (CORE) OR LEONE'S PUBLIC RESEARCH PAPER, FACTS IN THE CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER BASED ON IT FOR ALL TO ACCESS OR KOSTYU'S NUMEROUS ARTICLES ON THIS ISSUE? ((THIS IS TYPICALLY WHEN OEA BACKS OFF AND DISAPPEARS WITH NO RESPONSE)).

Bill's editorial continues with:

"Concern that a new STRS board might consider such destructive ideas ideas as repealing SB190 (which includes the enhanced 35 yr. rule and other gains for members) and moving away from the subsidized defined HC benefit for current and retired retirees WERE ALLAYED FOR THE TIME BEING. At the end of the day, everyone seemed to be on the same page moving forward as reflected in the board's unanimous vote and supportive comments from everyone in the audience -- INCLUDING PREVIOUS NAYSAYERS!"

FAIRYTALES, BILL! I was in the audience along with many of those you call 'naysayers.' You write as though this was some remarkable achievement when what happened was 18 folks spoke and most of us wondered WHY they weren't more informed of reality by now. of course, that happens when one does not seek all info from all sides and then proceed to decide issues for themselves vs. relying on one entity only for their spoonfed and one sided info.

3. QUES: WHO BESIDES RAMSER AND BROWN (who takes liberties as board chair that are out of line according to Damon, STRS EXEC DIREC) ON THE BOARD THOUGHT YOU BROUGHT ALL THIS MORALE BOOST TO THE BELEAGUERED BOARD?

-4 of the 5 active OEA beleaguered board members have been replaced and cannot return to the STRS board due to overspending language in SB 133. One and probably all 4 or 5 of the former and one current OEA active board members and one retiree board member who voted with them will be indicted for spending our money on themselves for perks and pleasures. (That would be naysaying, rt.?) -The 3 investment experts with what you call possible 'more narrow interests' don't seem to have your support so did they feel 'boosted' by OEA?

4. QUES: Who in the audience gave all this feedback except OEA members? I do remember Nancy Hamant, CORE, turning to you and welcoming actives and saying we'd be rt. beside you in the fight for HC where WE HAVE BEEN FOR OVER THE PAST 2 yrs. I heard many in the audience say: WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN FOR OVER 2 YRS WHILE WE'VE BEEN HERE FIGHTING FOR SPENDING REDUCTIONS, STAFF CUTBACKS, ELIM. CREDIT CARDS AND CARS, TRAVEL CUTBACKS FOR MOST EXPEN. AIRFARES AND HOTELS, BAR BILLS, DINNERS, DECORATIONS, ART AND BLDING, FITNESS CENTER AND LUNCHROOM SUBSIDIES ,CHILDCARE SUBSIDY ELIM. ALL OF WHICH ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS PAY FOR OUT OF EARNINGS OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR ACTIVE AND RETIRED EDUCATORS FOR OVER 2 YRS ON THESE ISSUES TO DEMAND OUR EARNINGS BE INVESTED AND SPENT WISELY VS ON PERSONAL PERKS.

5. QUES: WHERE IN ANY OF THIS, DO YOU FIND: "Unreasonable demands?"

Angry, sometimes, yes, at having our guardians of our money say 'it was theirs to spend as they wish'. Herb Dyer, former Exec. Direc., of STRS was fired for such a remark. Is it reasonable to be angry if your broker spent your earnings on investments on his own trips, cars, etc.? YES! THAT IS WHAT STRS DID!

As Dennis Leone said in the Oct. STRS board meeting, public speak session to an active who said someone was heard to ask "Where have they been?"

Leone asked to speak and I think board members will now be doing so in response to comments and questions addressed to them or to the board to which they qualified to answer:

Leone said: "I said that. I asked where they have been?" I am happy that the actives are here now but I wonder why they weren't here over the past 2+ yrs. when the going was tough to help with changes positive for all STRS membership: active and retired."

Also, he brought up the RUMOR that NEW board members wanted to change the 35 yr. rule and wondered where that came from as neither HE nor the board since his inception HAVE EVER DISCUSSED IT! Nor is he particularly interested in changing it.

DAMON ASBURY HAD INSIGHT ON THIS AND SAID: "I think it came from the JULY 2005 STRS statement THAT ALL AREAS AND POSSIBILITIES WOULD BE LOOKED AT INCLUDING THE 35 yr. rule. to look at cost saving measures."

IT DID NOT COME FROM LEONE YET UNFAIRLY HE IS BEING BLAMED!!!!!!!!!!!! (No surprise when it comes from OEA tactics.)

It has also come to my attention that suburban educators are hearing negative remarks still about Leone's research from possibly no other than Bill L.'s wife, Dawn.

6. QUES: BILL AND DAWN: AGAIN: WHAT SPECIFIC POINT(S) DO YOU HAVE VERIFIABLE PROOF ARE EXAGGERATED SINCE ALLFACTS WERE PROVIDED BY DAMON AND RESEARCHED BEFORE PRINTING BY SEVERAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS?

********

ACTIVES: WHEN YOU HEAR THESE COMMENTS: YOU NEED TO ASK THEM FOR SPECIFICS AND THEN FORW TO US OR THE REPORTERS OR DAMON ASBURY OF STRS FOR CLARIFICATION AS ALL FACTS GIVEN BY CORE AND LEONE ARE JUST THAT: VERIFIABLE FACTS!

The article continues:

SECTION: WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

Bill writes:

"......time for leaders and members from other parts of the state to come forward and help the new board understand these concerns really do represent everyone. Make plans to attend or send reps to future STRS board meetings to provide testimony ((love that word: implies their word is somehow steeped in truth, unfortunately, this article is not, in my opinion for reasons stated)) or presence or both. ((OEA HAS 4 or 5 show up in Oct.)). I (Bill ) will help you ((evidently he doesn't trust OEA actives to write their own speeches: kinda insulting, I think-more like use you as a mouthpiece)) with the logistics of your participation and development of 'testimony'. Please email me, (Bill) at: (_) to indicate your interest.

Then he lists the meeting dates and continues:

"Please make it a priority to ensure an OEA presence at these meetings. Let me know how I can be of assistance."

*************

CORE is very happy for this hopefully increased attendance at STRS BOARD MEETINGS:

As with the Oct. STRS BOARD MEETING, it gives actives a chance to address the board and NOW be answered ON THE SPOT regarding any concerns from those board members interested in responding to ques. and comments then and there. I know Leone and Lazares are willing to speak directly to you and this helps overcome false RUMORS and provide facts ALL ENTERED THEN IN THE MINUTES AND UNREFUTABLE for future misuse.

PLEASE ATTEND AND GET FACTS VS FAIRYTALES: HEAR ALL SIDES AND MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS ON WHO THE NAYSAYERS AND PROMOTERS OF MISINFORMATION REALLY ARE! CORE STANDS UP FOR ITS STATEMENTS AND WELCOMES ANY AND ALL DISCUSSIONS.

As Dr. Buser, investment appointee to the board, said to me: "WHY DO THESE ORGANIZATIONS DISLIKE CORE? CORE ASKS REASONABLE QUESTIONS AND JUST WANTS TO HELP! Don't they understand you are all working for the same thing?"

You'd think, huh? But they continue to badmouth us even though we work to pass you info and help inform all of the HCA plan for legislators and LEONE IS THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER TO ATTEND HCA HC DISCUSSION MEETINGS AS HE FEELS IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW HIS SUPPORT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS IF ASKED RE:THE PROPOSAL! HE HAS COMPLIMENTED EVERY PRESENTER HE SAW AND HAS ONLY POSITIVE COMMENTS FOR THESE MEETINGS HOPING TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SAVING YOUR FUTURE HC!

OEA CENTRAL: You continue to disappoint with negative rhetoric about persons who have fought for and secured reduced spending and guaranteed it stop so STRS can focus and ACT SOLELY on its membership per ORC: 3307.15, the law which states it must do so. You HARM RELATIONS BETWEEN GROUPS IN YOUR MEMBERSHIP WITH FALSE STATEMENTS. YOU are NOT working to coordinate all of your groups to combine efforts to work together. You thank me for trying and then turn and speak ill. YOU CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS! Only YOU, OEA CENTRAL, have to power for change but you repeatedly turn your back. We are true to our word and more and more (half your membership, I am told) wish for collaboration with CORE. Also, more and more actives are hearing the facts and you ONLY hurt yourselves as TRUTH RINGS CLEAR! CORE, Concerned Ohio Retired Educators, fights for ALL EDUCATORS WHO WILL RETIRE OR ARE RETIRED UNDER STRS.

Bill, OEA CENTRAL, I invite ANY dissent with ANY comment and WILL retract any item if not accurate PROVEN by you to be false.

Molly Janczyk
STRS Retiree who fought to build CEA and OEA since early 70's.
OEA Member as an Active
OEA-R Lifetime
ORTA Lifetime
FCRTA
CORE