Comments re: 9 and counting (They didn't include the 3 and counting from STRS) and so, we have the DIRTYDOZEN (and counting)

From Molly Janczyk, June 28, 2006

Thank you, Dave. I do and many do understand this reasoning. I think the frustration lies with all the years of underfunding and WHO has the background and track record for education issues. Taft never had. Blackwell is surrounded in controversy and does not to my knowledge have a proven record backing education. Strickland is more education friendly and has been named a friend to education by organizations researching for change to funding and backing proposals. I don't care who it is as long as they have shown such direction. It happens to be Strickland rising to the forefront on those issues. What difference does party make when we are so devastated by these past years and decades of underfunding at the CORE of the issue. For those reasons, to protect retirees and to promote education in Ohio, I do believe that ORTA should take a stand as to not do so can most likely result if further lack of attention to education issues and further harm to retirees.

Sometimes leadership has to step up and as a result, many do listen and change their opinions when reasoning supports it. To do less, is remiss in my opinion, as we are in crisis. This is why OEA and OFT are interviewing and endorsing only education minded legislators with track records and commitments not just empty words heard for the first time.

This is a time of urgency. Retirees need protected and advised on whom it is that have worked hard for them. They can listen or not but at least all efforts would have been exhausted. To not do so in a time of great devastation is not a sign of leadership,
(my opinion) but merely trying to walk the line without ruffling feathers. ORTA can now show it has the gumption and strength and vision to make recommendations and interview legislations as well as an organization for retirees carrying out its duty to find the best qualified legislators to serve its constituency.

I feel it is ORTA's DUTY to lead. Enough years have been spent in shadows. The bulk of membership I hear wants direction and action.

Thank you.

Best regards, Molly J.

_________

From Dave Speas, June 28, 2006

Subject: Re: 9 and counting(They didn't include the 3 and counting from STRS) and so, we have the DIRTYDOZEN (and counting)

Dear readers,

I write this as a private citizen who has given much time to my retired teacher group in Clark County, across the state, and in service. I have watched and participated in many of the activities educationally, politically and emotionally as have many. In my trips, the number one problem talked about by retired teachers is health care.

In ORTA's regional meetings that was the top problem chosen. ORTA has made that the number one goal, better healthcare for our retirees. It is working with the healthcare advocates to get sponsors for a bill that will put more money in the healthcare fund. Some of them are Democrats and some of them are Republicans. If they do not sponsor the bill, it will not get a hearing or a vote.

ORTA is in the forefront of this movement to recover healthcare benefits for retirees. I privately am for a political change but feel strongly that possibly setting back the time table for this bill is not in the best interests of retirees. ORTA exists for retirees and its primary goals should be set for their betterment not for specific political parties.

If the retirees said getting certain candidates elected was their first priority, we would have to respond. I can assure you that our political membership is not one sided. Since there are many political views in our organization and healthcare is the number one priority by statement of our members, anything the organization would do to jeopardize the hard work and long hours of political savvy individuals to make our lives better would be wrong.

Governor Taft made many promises before he was elected governor. No politician can be trusted to carry out their promises. Hard work in the trenches by people who care about all retirees is the only way to get relief. We are too far along the road of getting possible relief for our most needy retirees in the healthcare area to alienate the very people who are ready to listen to us and write the bill.

It is easy to sit out there and yell and shout and leave organizations because you do not agree and more positive when we roll up our sleeves and work to change the organization for the better. I will continue to talk to my legislators, drive many miles to speak and inform, and work within the guidelines of goals our membership's majority have said is their top priority.

Backing political candidates is a personal issue and sometimes a group issue. I am personally backing Strickland and wish ORTA could too but at this time too many hours and too many inroads have been made in partnership with other hard working organizations to jeopardize what has been accomplished to this point.

I honor anyone's views. If they are different than mine, I will defend to the end of my life your right to say and believe them. I hope those who do not agree with me and ORTA will do the same.

Dave

_________

From Molly Janczyk, June 27, 2006

I cannot imagine why any group supporting educators, active or retired, would not be backing an educated minded candidate for Governor such as Strickland. This is such an important election and we are doomed to backstepping without unified efforts. I hope this lack of endorsing does not continue. A stand is needed and appropriate on behalf of membership. I did not agree with the lack of endorsement for STRS board candidates but appreciated the work ORTA did for CORE's candidates. I understand some in ORTA will not agree. Results should be the underlying reasoning and Ohio needs to properly fund education. We need ORTA to be assertive when it comes to change in Ohio for educators. Please reconsider this action. We need leadership from ORTA. Regards

________

From: James O. Kimmel

To: ortastaff

Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Subject: Fw: 9 and counting (They didn't include the 3 and counting from STRS) and so, we have the DIRTY DOZEN (and counting)

Dear ORTA:

I decided some time ago to remove myself form membership in ORTA because of your failure to act for the good of retirees in several important instances. It is my understanding that you will not be backing Ted Strickland for governor of Ohio. You have indicated that you need to work with whoever is in power. Are you KIDDING ? Look at the list of crooks who have already been indicted and found guilty so far. Even the Head Crook- Bobby Taft. We need serious change in Ohio and the ONLY way to do that is get some of the opposition into power. This is too serious a matter to stay on the fence. ORTA has a chance to prove that it still has some testesterone left and do what is right.Do you really think that the return of Republican power in November will help retirees ? I sometimes wonder if ORTA would have collaborated with Hitler and his followers in 1933 "just to be able to work with those in power".

Sometimes one needs to take a stand. If you remain flaccid in your politics Jim Petro will just laugh at you if he wins. If he does win you can BET we will never get to the bottom of the STRS mess and it will go down hill from there. Remember, Petro voted for all that bad business at STRS during the Dyer years and after. You need to take a position this time because there is too much at stake.

James Kimmel

Former ORTA member STRS Retiree

________

From: John Curry

Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006

Subject: 9 and counting (They didn't include the 3 and counting from STRS) and so, we have the DIRTY DOZEN (and counting)

_________

Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 26, 2006

Task Force Results

Task force results Monday, June 26, 2006 Over the last year, nine people, including six who were on the state payroll, have been charged in an unprecedented public corruption investigation by a federal, state and local task force, the largest undertaking of its kind in Ohio history. The charges have ranged from misdemeanor ethics violations to federal bribery and racketeering charges. The probe continues. Here are the people caught in the task force's net so far:

July 29, 2005

Brian Hicks, Gov. Bob Taft's former chief of staff, is found guilty of a misdemeanor ethics violation for failing to properly report two vacation stays at the Florida Keys home of Toledo-area coin dealer and Republican fund-raiser Tom Noe. Noe, at the center of the scandal, managed a $50 million investment by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation into rare coins and collectibles. Cherie Carroll, Hicks' former assistant in the governor's office, also is convicted of a misdemeanor for failing to report more than $500 worth of meals from Noe.

Aug. 18, 2005

Taft is convicted of four misdemeanors for breaking state ethics laws by failing to report free golf outings, meals, hockey tickets and other gifts from some of the state's most influential business and political leaders, including Noe.

Oct. 27, 2005

Noe is indicted on three federal charges that accuse him of illegally donating $45,400 to President Bush's campaign. The indictment, which stems from a Columbus fund-raiser in 2003, accuses Noe of illegally skirting campaign donation limits by reimbursing friends and associates for donations they made.

Feb. 13, 2006

The state indicts Noe in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on 53 charges, including racketeer-

ing, theft, forgery, money laundering and tampering with records, related to his management of the rare-coin fund for the state.

Feb. 24

Two more former aides to Taft are convicted of misdemeanors. H. Douglas Talbott pleads no contest to concealing $1,960 in campaign contributions from Noe to three Republican Ohio Supreme Court justices. Talbott also pleads no contest to two ethics charges for failing to disclose that Noe lent him $39,000 for a vacation home in Lakeside. J. Douglas Moorman pleads no contest for failing to report a $5,000 loan from Noe.

May 31

Noe pleads guilty to the three federal charges of illegal campaign contributions to Bush and awaits sentencing. He faces an October trial on the state charges in Lucas County.

June 7

Terry Gasper, former chief financial officer for the Workers' Compensation bureau, pleads guilty in both federal and state courts to racketeering, money laundering and ethics violations and awaits sentencing. Authorities say he accepted unfettered access to a luxurious Florida Keys condo from two brokers, a $25,000 investment from Noe, college tuition for his son and other gifts in exchange for doling out lucrative bureau business. His plea deal includes an agreement to testify against others.

June 19

Investment brokers Michael Lewis of Willoughby Hills and Daniel O'Neil of Chester Township are indicted on charges that they bribed Gasper with use of the Florida condo and other things of value and lied to the FBI about the arrangement.