A thanks to Dave Speas

From John Curry, Sept. 7, 2006
Subject: Re: Dave, have you heard back from ORTA?

Dave, thank you. I do understand what you are saying and am glad you took the time to "lay it all out" in print.

John
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From: Dave Speas, September 7, 2006

John, This is a situation that is very sensitive at this time. After what ORTA went through with the STRS fiasco using the bylaws as they were written and doing the process as it was designed and getting drilled by members who were not happy with the decision, I think any one looking at the situation would agree that after getting and paying for legal advice on the matter of general elections, ORTA leadership, of which I am one, would be very careful in this matter.

Not only are there members of both political parties in the organizations but there are many independents like me who want to be able to choose our candidates and stances without political party influence.

There comes a time in the way the organization is built that the individual chapters need to take the lead and do what each local feels necessary. All political decisions affect all of us in some way but ORTA must be careful in the area of direct impact on retirees only. In Clark County, we are giving our people all the issues and allowing them to make the decision based on their own thought process. Every person who has a dog in the fight wants backing from everyone but local control in the form of township trustees, county commissioners, school boards, and etc. are the best way to keep government close to the people.

I believe it is ORTA's job to lead the locals into doing what is best for their membership on the individual chapter level. CORE can do what it pleases because it has no strings attached, although that will change when constitutions and bylaws are put into place in the near future and the organization begins the road toward where ORTA is today.

I am sure the locals who began the statewide organization did so in 1947 with the same ideals CORE has today. I believe the strength of ORTA is in its local chapters and that they are the ones to dictate to the state organization where it should go. The power then belongs to the people and not to the state leadership. That is what got us in trouble statewide. It was the local chapters who were used by CORE to get the word out and make the things happen that did. Without the ORTA chapters around the state already formed and active, it would have been much more difficult to get what we got done finished.

I am active in ORTA because I want the locals to be the power and not a few people in Columbus. Should we inform and be the conduit by which retiree work should be done, yes, but each local should have the power to act on its own for the retirees in their area AND across the state. I will continue to look at this and be the squeaky wheel.

I believe that the leadership of ORTA would be responsive to the locals if they moved us toward a certain goal. Until then, healthcare has been the issue most often mentioned across the state and then keeping us out of social security. ORTA is working hard quietly to get the added funds for healthcare and working hard with politicians from both sides of the isle to get it done.

There are many pitfalls that have to be measured against what is best for the retirees directly. I assure you that discussions and hard work are going on every day in the organization. My hope is that local organizations will have more say at the state level and that is why in November the presidents of every chapter will be in Columbus to listen and be listened to. My hope is that a more prudent way will be found to involve the local leadership in the decision-making will be found and adopted.

Dave
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From: John Curry, September 7, 2006

Dave, thanks for your input on this matter. I know you are just the messenger in this. I think it is fair to say that almost all political elections affect retirees either directly or indirectly. We are finding this out after detailed study of the misdeeds of STRS and the players who could have and should have investigated the STRS fiasco but didn't (especially Petro,Montgomery, and Taft).

Just a simple admission by ORTA officials stating that they, in fact, could have encouraged local chapters to take a political stance but chose not to would have gone a long way towards enhancing their credibility. These days, employee organizations who don't become politically active often find themselves (and their constituents) on the "short end of the stick." Like you, "I am still curious as to the specifics." I have a hunch that Hades will freeze over before we will get a substantive reply. Will the squeaky wheel get the grease this time round? Thank you, Dave.

John
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From: Dave Speas, Sept. 7, 2006

John, So far the only reason given by the experts asked about this issue is that the constitution and bylaws of the organization is set up that the leadership cannot speak for the 90 chapters without a vote or direction from them in a political election that does not have issues that affect the retirees directly.

Since ORTA was set up by local chapters the power flows from the chapters to the state organization. Since STRS elections directly affect the status of the retiree, and is not part of the general public elections, it is proper for the state organization to be involved but representation from locals must be part of it as the 16 member committee was in interviewing the candidates last time.

As you know, even when that happens a statewide hullabaloo can happen. My understanding is that 501C4 may be set up to do political work but ORTA's original reason for existing was to promote retiree issues and not general political party issues. I have asked for clarification on specifics but as all of us know, lawyers do not always respond in specifics but generalities.

I will continue to try to get a clearer picture of the reasons but cannot promise more than this as the experts used are not our general lawyer under contract to advise us but were asked to comment by the board. I do not know what we paid them but I am sure no lawyer works for a small amount. I am sorry I do not have more on this front but will advise you if more comes. By the way, my own legal person helped me with this as I am still curious as to the specifics.

Dave