Dave Speas to STRS Board: Stop the bickering and steer the boat before we drown

From Dave Speas

February 2, 2006

Molly, The group included many who have been to Columbus and many who are not happy with OEA, STRS, and et all. However, if there are six board members who can agree to work toward the priority goals set by the board for the members then let them get to work.

Too much time is being spent fighting for turf when many retirees are waiting for relief. Every minute spent fighting for turf is taking away from positive work that is needed to be done. The majority can over turn the chairs if they want to force the issue and the chairs will have to move on to the issues of the future.

Too much time has been spent on repair, the group feels it is time to get to the issues of saving all of us out here from more dire problems. Six is all it takes to move on. Are you telling us that there are not six who can agree on the top priorities and move on them. Where is the leadership from ALL the members?

We want POSITIVE action from whomever is willing to lead out of this infighting and name calling. We thought we selected adults who can move beyond the individual issues and get to the issues that are to be dealt with. Every day that movement is not made toward the top priorities set by the board, is that much longer and that much closer we get to more heartache.

It does not take 11 members to set direction. It takes six members. Get the six members on page 1 and go. The ark is sinking, the people are getting ready to drown and the crew is arguing over who is right and who is going to steer the boat. Stop it and steer the boat. We want to hear how they are going to get the make the boat seaworthy, not who is going to steer. When is this going to end? The next election or the election after that? That will be too late for some of us.

We do not need to be in Columbus to know that this board was elected to move forward from where we were. Find six members and move and leave the others studying the direction and bring them along by the power of the debate not by beating them into submission. Whether you feel we are out of line we are waiting for strong movement toward the very thing all of us fought for in the past few years, a board dedicated to US.

The statements were not directed at any one board member but to all of them. We want them to be partners as chairs and as members. Stop the bickering, every one of them and get on with the job at hand. NOW!

Respectfully,

Dave Speas and the band of 37