John Curry: Sounds good, doesn't it? A gubernatorial mystery

From John Curry, Jan. 11, 2006

Wonder who issued these famous words?:

What are your political or personal strengths that make you the best candidate for the job? "Worked in private sector for more than 20 years and understand importance of sound management. In public office, have reduced spending and carried through on promised reforms."

Well, let's see! During his tenure on the STRS Board, this gentleman approved the following "sound management" and "reduced spending" practices at State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio:

1. Approved a 17.4% administrative expenses increase average (per year) for 6 years between 1996 and 2002

2. Approved a 75% increase in STRS staff over the same years.

3. Approved the awarding of 24.4 million dollars in bonuses and cash awards.

4. Approved 33 staff members to receive higher annual salaries than the Governor of Ohio and the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

5. Approved $4,100 retiree dollars for a private retirement party for retiring Board member, Hazel Sidaway.

6. Approved the spending of $18,810 retiree dollars for a dedication ceremony of a 94,2 million dollar palace for STRS employees.

7. Approved $818,000 retiree dollars for STRS employees' child care center in said building and the waste of $428,057 to run it during the first year of its operation.

8. Approved $530,284 for Board travel between 2000 and 2002. And the list goes on and on!

Q. NOW, WHO IS THIS POLITICIAN OF "SOUND MANAGEMENT" AND "REDUCED SPENDING" AND WHAT OFFICE DOES HE WISH TO HOLD?

A. Jim Petro- CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF OHIO

His "sound management" and "reduced spending" statements can be found in his resume which appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal thumbnail sketch below. Notice how he mentions charter schools? Could that have anything to do with campaign contributions to him from the White Hat charter schools magnate David Brennan?

	Posted on Thu, Dec. 01, 2005 (Akron Beacon Journal)
	Jim Petro Age: 57. Party: Republican. Hometown: Brooklyn, Ohio. Family: wife, Nancy; son, John; daughter, Cory. Education: bachelor's degree, Denison University (1970); juris doctor, Case Western Reserve University School of Law (1973). Political experience: 2003-present, Ohio attorney general; 1995-2003, Ohio auditor of state; 1991-95, Cuyahoga County commissioner; 1981-84 and 1987-90, member of Ohio House of Representatives; 1980, Rocky River law director; 1977-79, member of Rocky River City Council; 1976-77, Rocky River prosecutor; 1974, Cleveland assistant law director; 1973-74, Franklin County assistant prosecuting attorney; 1972-73, special assistant to U.S. Sen. William B. Saxbe; 1971-72, staff assistant to Cleveland Mayor Ralph J. Perk. What are your top three priorities for the first year in office? Reforming taxes, including cutting personal income tax rates, reorganizing state government and making college more affordable while creating ``centers of excellence'' in university system with degrees linked to area job opportunities. What should Ohio be doing for its young people that it is not doing today? Providing choices for primary and secondary education through charter schools and vouchers, expanding preschool opportunities and reducing the gap between property-wealthy and property-poor school districts. What are your political or personal strengths that make you the best candidate for the job? Worked in private sector for more than 20 years and understand importance of sound management. In public office, have reduced spending and carried through on promised reforms. If Jim Petro is allowed to manage the Ohio's government for over 11,000,000 Buckeyes like he managed the STRS of Ohio and the lives of over 100,000 STRS retirees, then maybe citizens of Ohio really deserve him. by John Curry, a Proud CORE member