John Curry to Conni Ramser: 'Try it, Conni, it won't poison your mind'

From John Curry, January 27, 2006

"Kathy,
Since I never read Dr. Leone's statement, I will offer no opinion on it or Gary Allen's comments.
I will be happy to respond to questions that I was involved in. I do not take responsibility for others.
Conni"

Ms. Ramser,

In reading your reply above to Kathie Bracy, you state that you have not read Dr. Leone's 13 page presentation re: misspending and mismanagement which happened at the STRS -- "I never read Dr. Leone's statement."

I find it rather odd that you haven't read it as tens of thousands of retired and active educators have read this very same document or parts thereof which appeared in educational journals, newspapers, and college publications throughout Ohio.

Your letter goes on to say that, and I quote, "I do not take responsibility for others." Ms. Ramser, in fact, you take the responsibility for over 100,000 STRS retirees lives and responsibility of the lives of over 200,000 active teachers in the State of Ohio as an STRS Board member. You should also take responsibility to know what has happened during the history of the organization you are a leader of.

So that you can get a better understanding of what has transpired at STRS before you came on the Board, I have included an attachment (from the Cleveland State University -- American Association of University Professors) which contains that very same Dr. Leone report that you say you didn't read. You, as an STRS Board member, have an obligation to inform yourself of a document which listed the not-so-nice expenditures of your (and my) retirement system's monies and which acted as the catalyst for the majority of legislators in the State of Ohio to demand the resignation of the former Executive Director of STRS, Herbert Dyer. Try it, Conni, it won't poison your mind.

John Curry

An STRS retiree
A Proud CORE member
An Allen County Retired Educators Association Member
A person who expects ALL board members to be well versed on documents that relate to the past and current operations of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio

ORC 3307.15 - not just a wish,
IT'S THE LAW!