Brad Walton: Spreading the word in Knox County

From Brad Walton, April 6, 2006; Subject: STRS Candidate endorsement

Being sent to each Knox County schools active teacher. I had to cut back to get under 300 words for the Peoples Forum. Feel free to use it in any way you can to spread the word.

To the Peoples Forum (290 words)

Dear Active Teachers and Educators:

While the State Teachers Retirement System (S.T.R.S.) was losing millions of dollars a few years ago, board members spent exorbitant amounts of money on cars, plane tickets, lodging, entertainment, and employee perks including bonuses that doubled some base salary.

The Ohio Retired Teachers Association (O.R.T.A.) and the Concerned Ohio Retired Educators (C.O.R.E.) have been working on behalf of all active and retired educators to correct these problems to prevent future misspending. They have been influential in replacing the Executive Director and the guilty board Members.

After appointing a new Executive Director and the election of new board members, things have turned around. Your retirement benefits are safer now than they were before, but we still have a long way to go. It is imperative that we continue to elect S.T.R.S. Board Members, who will be vigilant watchdogs of our retirement benefits.

After interviewing all of the candidates running for seats on the S.T.R.S. Board, C.O.R.E. has endorsed Mark Fredrick and Thomas Hall in the upcoming election. Please give both of these candidates consideration, and vote before May 1. Brad Walton, President Knox County Retired Teachers Association

Mark Fredrick

Mark Fredrick, a 25-year teacher with the Cleveland Municipal Schools, has an extensive background in economics and accounting to enable him to assist the Board in budget planning and contract review. As an English teacher, he will easily handle the heavy reading load that challenges new Board members.

Thomas Hall

Thomas Hall, a professor at Miami University, holds a doctorate in economics and has experience with the U.S. Department Bureau of Economics and Business Affairs. His extensive background in the areas of investments, market funds, and economics will bring valuable skills and knowledge to the S.T.R.S. Board.