Tom Curtis to Mark Fredrick: some background on CORE

From Tom Curtis, Wednesday, February 8, 2006

Thank you Mark,

This is what we have always tried to do for the candidates we support. Molly and I and others work closely together in an attempt to do such. Molly by far puts out the most visible effort and is always on top of most everything, if she can be.

Please keep in mind, we (CORE) are all volunteers and receive little or no financial support for doing this, as opposed to the OEA, OFT, ORTA and other associations that have paid staff to do such, and a large influx of income to pay for expenses. Those of us that have large printing costs, or snail mail expense receive reimbursement from CORE, if we turn in the receipts; otherwise, we all cover our own expenses. The CORE leadership pays for most everything out of their own pocket and has no other means of financial support, but their own pension. That is why this group is so unusual.

Most of us are the ones who suffered the most when the health care subsidies were removed and are the least financially capable of this. The vast majority of retirees that were least affected by health care expense appear to have little concern, so they are unsympathetic to our cause. We (CORE) have made a definite impact, and have supported such because we believe in helping all STRS members, not just retirees, as some would say. Many of us have found how difficult it has been to lose one third of our pension nearly overnight and do not want others to have to experience such. Unfortunately, without the backing of the actives, we have little ability to bring about much change.

We are constantly told by the STRS that we (CORE) only represent a small minority of the membership and that the rest of the membership feels the STRS is doing a great job. That is management's position and they are sticking with it! That is exactly why the STRS pays for so many studies, to prove just how well they perform, so they can get their usual multiple bonuses each year. The STRS pays for the studies, they get the financial benefit, we lose the financial backing we all worked to obtain. Doesn't that seem appropriate? Actives never realize this until they retire, then they are perplexed at the inequities. Go figure.

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From Mark Fredrick, Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Subject: Re: Info On 2 Candidates Endorsed By CORE

Thanks to you also Tom for all your support and effort on my behalf in the STRS run. I see that Molly gets the word out there and the job done quickly. Lets get the vote out in April too . Keep me in all the loops.

Mark