RH Jones: Blackwell, one of the Three Stooges

From RH Jones, March 22, 2006

To all:

In regard to our STRS, the definition of the Three Stooges has been exemplified by Ohio's GOP (Grab Our Pension) group: Blackwell, Montgomery, and Petro. Multiple media exposures of their incompetence have been reported. The Beacon, editorial of 03/21/06, mentioned how flawed and dangerous in particular is Blackwell's TEL program. This would: "...cripple both the concept of representative democracy and the ability of the state and local governments to invest in what's needed to grow the state's economy..." . Further: "For local governments, particularly school districts, Hill and O'Brien correctly see the TEL as an agent of chaos in already uncertain and difficult times. ...". ( Hill is a professor at CSU & O'Brien is at CSU's Center for Public Management.) "Another 'great unknown' is how the TEL would affect the transition in school funding that is taking place over the next five years, general revenue funding taking the place of the tangible personal property tax. Keeping the growth of state school districts to ask for more local tax levies."

These Beacon quotes speak for themselves. Montgomery and Petro's incompetent service to us in STRS is a matter of record. To us retired/active Ohio STRS members, The November vote is even more important than the April STRS vote for the two active board candidate vacancies.

After the STRS board election, CORE will need to endorse political candidates for state office. Having a "friendly" STRS board will not help us if the wrong people are voted into our state government. As their past records show, electing any of the three stooges would be harmful to the extreme.

RHJones, CORE