Tom Curtis: Letter to the Canton Repository

July 31, 2006 STRS board needs leadership that will put needs, concerns of members first Recent comments by State Teachers Retirement System Board President Conni Ramser about Dennis Leone, the board member most dedicated to saving the STRS system, are truly pathetic (“Strife leads STRS board member to resign,” July 13). They show her inability to view the importance of the agenda needed to right a sinking retirement system and to keep our pension system intact. What her comments do indicate is her lack of business or financial background. This is utterly ridiculous. The Ohio educational community elected her without any knowledge or willingness to learn about her credentials, or lack thereof. It is obvious the educational community in Ohio does not understand what background is needed for someone to be on the STRS board today. I am a retired teacher, and in my opinion, Ms. Ramser has been totally brainwashed by the Ohio Education Association leadership throughout her only career as a special education teacher. She exemplifies the saying that the apple does not fall far from the tree. For nearly 100 years, most Ohio educators have placed their faith and trust in STRS and OEA concerning their future. For approximately two decades, the leadership of both organizations has not been worthy of that faith and trust. Those leaders were far more concerned about their own financial future than that of their clientele. STRS members are now beginning to find the future of their retirement system to be disastrous. Already, 20 percent have been financially affected by the drastic changes in the health care benefit. Those not experiencing financial concerns to date may start seeing their pensions reduced soon, along with the absence of a health care benefit, because of the unethical leadership in place within these two organizations. Only then will they finally begin to understand what Dr. Leone and John Lazares have been trying to accomplish for four years. THOMAS CURTIS, PLAIN TOWNSHIP