Paul Boyer's Letter to the Editor, published in the Lima News 04/07/06

April 3, 2006

The month of April is a very important time for all active and retired teachers in the public schools of Ohio. Over the weekend, ballots were mailed to all contributing members, formerly called active teachers, to elect two persons to sit on the State Teachers Retirement Board (STRS) and must be returned by May 1. As a member of CORE, Concerned Ohio Retired Educators, I am strongly urging all teachers to vote for TOM HALL and MARK FREDRICK. CORE members voted to endorse these two men whom we feel will be the most diligent in taking care of the retirees’ needs in the coming years.

In the past three years we have been most successful in changes, beginning with the resignation of the Executive Director and passage of SB 133, a retirement reform bill, that have eliminated most of the waste that was occurring up until that time. Retired teachers can not vote in this election because it is only for contributing members. We are earnestly asking for your help in electing these two good men.

Tom Hall is a professor of Economics at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He was outraged a few years ago when he heard of the stock market losses by STRS and the rampant, illegal spending of our money on board members and employees. .He has pledged the following:

1. Focus on holding down costs of operating STRS.

2. Intelligently oversee the management of the investment portfolio

3. Strictly adhere to Ohio Revised Code 3307.15 which states that board members must act solely on the behalf of STRS members and their beneficiaries.

4. Work to find avenues which will continue health care.

5. Communicate and be responsive to members and 6. Support and lobby for legislation that benefits STRS members.

Mark Fredrick has taught in the Cleveland schools for 26 years. He has continued to provide leadership for his students and colleagues, a continued working, growing and learning throughout his career.

Guaranteed, secure pension funds and affordable health care are the two main issues of my campaign. Remember, this is the pension system which will pay your way after retirement. Please write these two names on your calendar now: TOM HALL and MARK FREDRICK.

I would also like to remind you that in the Primary balloting in May, two of the candidates will be the Auditor and Attorney General, both of whom were on the STRS board and refused to curb the spending.

Paul L. Boyer