CORE members react to Dr. Buser's resignation 8/9/06

From Nancy Hamant, 8/9/06

Dr. Buser,

On behalf of Warren County retired teachers, I want to thank you for your efforts on behalf of all Ohio's teachers. You provided a voice of experience, patience and acceptance to all STRS members. Your presence will be sorely missed. We are sorry that you are leaving the STRS but we understand your need to concentrate on your personal business. Ohio's treasurer will be hard-pressed to find a replacement with your empathy, expertise and thoughtful examination of the issues facing STRS especially in the area of health care.

Again, thank you for the time you have given to all Ohio teachers.

Nancy B. Hamant,
Legislative Chair
Warren County Retired Teachers Association

Response from Steve Buser:

Thank you for the kind words. But I hope you are wrong with respect to finding a replacement. After all, I am a retired member of STRS as well !!

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From Molly Janczyk, 8/9/06

Buser was a kindly man whom I personally liked but he did vote nearly always with the 9 on imp. issues affecting retirees. I personally was most disappointed in that. I feel we need more public minded appointees who feel they need documentation in front of them to approve contracts and that the Exec. Direc. needs oversight beyond a $1,000,000 limit. To my knowledge, Buser did not vote for these measures at all or it took some time. He voted with the majority most of the time on issues needing change and imp to retirees . Molly J.

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From John Curry, 8/9/06

Below is a news release from STRS indicating that Board member Dr. Buser will resign from his Board position effective Aug. 17, 2006. Dr. Buser WAS reform minded and cared just as much for the health and welfare of retirees (as well as active teachers) as he did for the financial well being of our retirement system. He was and is a humanitarian as well as an investments expert - will his appointed replacement have ONLY a corporate mentality minus the reform mentality and a true concern for retirees' well-being in his/her votes on STRS issues that are not investments related as Dr. Buser did? ?? I guess we shall see. I wish Dr. Buser well.

John - a Proud CORE member.