John Curry, Flashback: Mourning World?

Many CORE and non-CORE members may have forgotten the name Stephen Ohlemacher. Stephen was also a pioneer in the investigative reporting at the early stages of the exposure of the misspending, mismanagement, and entitlement mentality at STRS. Within one week of Paul Kostu's initial STRS coverage of the STRS debacle, Ohlemacher inked a Sunday edition (June 8, 2003) front page article entitled, "Teacher pension losses don't stop spending."

Along with this excellent article, a series of photos featuring some of the million dollars plus of artwork at STRS graced that Sunday edition. The photo below features the aluminum tube artwork that hangs in our building- I am sure, if you've visited STRS, you have seen. The name of this piece is, A Whole Morning World. An attempt to justify the purchase of this $300,000 plus expenditure was touted by former Executive Director Herbert Dyer and others at STRS in an effort to pacify their critics. Their claim- it was mandated by the "1% rule- an allowance for 1% of total building costs that could be spent on art work to decorate state buildings. This excuse was quickly exposed as just that- an excuse. The "1% rule" only applies to state buildings, and STRS is not a state owned building- so much for that CYA attempt.

Since this 6/8/03 article appeared, Mr. Ohlemacher inked a few more STRS investigative reports and has moved to New York State. He will be remembered by those of us who value truth over misleading justifications for highly questionable actions by the "old" STRS Board. Should this artwork be renamed, "A Whole Mourning World?"

John, a Proud CORE member