Molly Janczyk: Getting ORTA and CORE together

From: Molly Janczyk
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005
Subject: : LEONE:ORTA: Board minutes

I read this email to Dennis and he agreed with the content and felt this was a good idea.

Dear Ann, Lou, ORTA Board,

1. Rec'd the email below from an RTA member.

2. Also, it was suggested there be a Collaboration Reception with ORTA and Retirees from CORE, etc. by several folks over the last weeks. No one would have to issue apologies-just make statements of unity wishing to work together for common goals to show ALL that we wish to move forward. Mostly, to actually be in a group together to talk informally about objectives and unified efforts to be effective. This is all that was meant regarding a statement. All would make statements.

Can we set a date for a reception? A response would be appreciated. Sincerely, Molly Janczyk

To: Molly Janczyk

RTA groups I know about are all deadly serious about wanting to use all available means to have a new communication link (using you, John Curry, Kathie Bracy, etc.) with all 88 counties in the event ORTA does NOT step up and foster genuine collaboration. They feel , and I agree -- that with Leone on the inside -- it will provide more information than we saw in years past to mobilize action. The recent letter effort to Judge Reece is an example in my opinion. An upcoming one, I believe, is the Petro issue: and the fact that STRS will be receiving a bill from Petro. My suspicion is that retirees will NOT support paying one dime to him. So at the right time, this could be a big communication action piece for all.

It really boils down to whether ORTA wishes to be a factor in their own fate.

From: Molly Janczyk
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005
Subject: ORTA: Board minutes

Let me clarify my understanding which I conveyed to Richard and Lou D'Orio. Dennis Leone felt that certain apologies should be made to heal old wounds. Dennis said the only 'condition' as Stearns put it to writing for the Qrterly was some show/statement by the board of collaboration with all retirees/RTA's/CORE. Doesn't seem much to ask in light of all the hits, etc. taken during the past 3 yrs., election and attempt to steer retirees away from contributing to CORE. I can be very specific and have the letters and slants saved along with remarks over the past years. So, let's not review that. We know what happened. A simple extension towards Leone and CORE who worries about the local RTA's and visits them continually is all that is needed.

I have been told this would happen with no results. CORE and Leone have made many attempts to reach the ORTA Board and Exec. Direc. over the past 3 yrs. inviting members to legislative meetings, making the first move when Travis would not, interviewing with honesty and lack of politics, etc.

It's time for the ORTA Board and Exec. Direc. to propose a real and specific collaboration and extend themselves for the good of all. A simple sentence saying we all need to work together is no such statement.

Molly Janczyk