Molly Janczyk: Informative 2006 campaign literature for Tom Hall and Mark Fredrick, candidates for STRS Board
From Molly Janczyk, Jan. 26, 2006
Somewhat reduced version; feel free to adapt or use the following:
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Many educators are continuing to push for changes at STRS, electing fresh and independent thinkers who will vote for STRS Membership, acting solely on the behalf and for the benefit of ALL membership in an equitable manner.
CORE is endorsing Active Prof. Tom Hall and Active classroom teacher Mark Fredrick. OFT is also endorsing Mark Frederick as an OFT member.
CORE represents all educators who will be retired under STRS' pension system. Actives, the future retirees, and current retirees are the membership of CORE unless they chose not to be.
CORE formed as a result of misspending by the former OEA-controlled STRS Retirement Board of 2001-2003. These spending abuses were uncovered by Dennis Leone and John Lazares. Dennis Leone requested information from STRS and was provided data by Damon Asbury, current Exec. Direc. who was Ass't Exec. Direc. at the time. Leone then researched and found numerous areas of misspending and informed the public at the 5/03 STRS Board Meeting. Some of the STRS membership had notified media by then, and investigative reporters researched and verified all the findings outlined in Leone's report. All research, facts and reports are available upon request.
Information was turned over to the Ohio Ethics Commission (OEC), which uncovered ethics violations and forwarded them to the Columbus City Prosecutor, Lara Baker. Baker has filed charges against former Exec. Direc. of STRS, Herb Dyer, who was forced to step down, and Hazel Sidaway, former OEA Active Board Member. The OEC Exec. Direc,. David Freel, visited CORE and stated many more violations are forthcoming, affecting all levels at STRS. We have reason to believe all the former 5 active board members and one former retired board member who formed a block of approval voting for perks and pleasures will be charged for receiving gifts, dinners, etc., illegally.
Misspending members' money is comparable to your broker skimming from your earnings on your contributions. That is what occured here. Money for the above areas was taken from earnings on STRS membership contributions.
Since Leone's report and the formation of CORE, many of these areas have seen cutbacks due to diligence appearing before STRS monthly, demanding changes and meeting with Damon and Staff on a regular basis. Bonuses and staff have been reduced as well as cars, credit card use and gas. Subsidies eliminated for cafeteria and fitness and down to $130,000 per yr for childcare soon to be a cost neutral. Non investment staff receives no bonus , only investment staff which is typical in other like systems. parties, dinners, etc, must be paid for by Staff, not STRS funds.
Active educators elected active candidate John Lazares to the STRS Board in 2004, ousting long time OEA incumbant Eugene Norris. Retirees elected Dennis Leone to the STRS Board in 2005. Both these men answer only to the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3307.15: the law which mandates that the STRS Board act solely on behalf of its membership, for its benefit only.
This year 4 Candidates requested endorsements from CORE for the active seats up for election in 2006. CORE interviewed them on 1/19/05:
-Prof. Tom Hall, Economics Prof. at Miami U.
-Prof. Brackett, American-African Studies
-Mark Meuser, classroon Math teacher and OEA local Assoc. Pres. of Gahanna-Jefferson
-Mark Fredrick, classroom English teacher with some investment background.
CORE chose to endorse:
1. Economics Prof. Tom Hall of Miami Univ. for his prolific background and experience in investment and market trends and economics. He has authored numerous books and articles in these areas. Hall was adament that former board behavior never be repeated and outraged at the misspending of members' money. He feels capable to help lead the board to future solutions to problems. Hall comes with no organization influencing him. He will have an open door to the educators, the membership of STRS.
2. Mark Fredrick, classroom English teacher, for his dynamic thinking approach for problem solving and ability to connect in his interaction with the audience. He promised to be an independent thinker as a board member with only membership as his influence. He is also endorsed by OFT for his strong qualities. Mark, as an English teacher, is used to stacks of reading and has some investment background to help with the understanding of the challenging reading and study to come on issues. Mark, too, promised to have an open ear to the STRS Membership and hear their concerns.
CORE realizes that many board members come unprepared to STRS and need a long learning curve due to lack of experience in issues before the board. CORE feels both these candidates were better prepared and were more knowledgeable of the issues they face as board members as well as the history of misspending at STRS.
Please help elect these 2 fine candidates who will fight for your rights. Both made strong statements regarding securing your future retirements and health care. Neither is bound by any organization's politics or agenda.
Flyers will be sent for you to print and share with your staff and actives you know. Only actives and inactives (not retirees) are eligible to vote in this election. Ballots will be mailed in early April to be returned in early May.
Please help keep STRS independent with board members who represent YOU as dictated by law and not their organization.
Sincerely,
Molly Janczyk
posted by Kathie Bracy at 4:29 PM
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