Editorial

Synopsis of Bill Leibensperger's speech before the STRS Board, October 19, 2006

I am here to address a new board again, this month. (Tom Johnson was appointed by the Governor to replace former Board member Judith Fisher, who resigned.)

Health Care Advocates is working to subsidize health care for current and future retirees. Mike Billirakis' experience will be hard to replace in this area as is his experience and behavior as a Board member. I want to thank Mike for all his work. We welcome Tom Johnson and know him for his professional behavior. He sets a tone for respectability and professional atmosphere. Anything less undercuts us with legislators. Let's work as a coalition of professionals. We worked with Judith Fisher and we look forward to working with Tom Johnson.

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More garbage from the ranks of OEA?

What kind of speech is THIS? Another thinly veiled slam at the only two Board members (Dennis Leone and John Lazares) who have consistently put themselves out to DO THE RIGHT THING FOR RETIREES? The history books are filled with liars, cheats, and crooks whose outward behavior was pristine -- "respectable," "professional," etc. Mike Billirakis was a perfect gentleman in every way from his outward behavior; no visible character flaws except what came out in court, of course; a gentleman who had many fine qualities and apparently did his best to atone for his weaknesses before his court date. I have no problem with that, except that he should never have veered from the straight and narrow in the first place. He was no less guilty of the ethics charges than the rest of them!!!

I also have no problem with efforts to find people to serve on the STRS Board whose behavior reflects "respectability" and "professionalism." I have even seen evidence of such traits in the outward behavior of others: Herb Dyer, Hazel Sidaway, Jack Chapman, Joe Endry, Eugene Norris, Mike Billirakis and others yet to be named. I DO have a problem, however, with those whose DEEDS as Board members smack of anything BUT "respectability" and "professionalism": Herb Dyer, Hazel Sidaway, Jack Chapman, Joe Endry, Eugene Norris, Mike Billirakis and others yet to be named.

Mr. Johnson -- welcome to the Board. While Mr. Leibensperger will probably be monitoring your behavior for signs of respectability and professionalism, you may rest assured the retirees will be watching for similar traits in your deeds. More than that, we will be watching for honesty, integrity, and signs of a sincere desire to help retired educators, who, as you are no doubt aware, are in far more dire straits than most STRS Board members and OEA officers ever will be. We are counting on you to be a true leader in helping those who need it most.

As a side note, one cannot help but notice that four of the six names mentioned two paragraphs above are those of formerly high-ranking officials in the Ohio Education Association, including one President. Could there possibly be a pattern here? Should we be taking a closer look at all these OEA "leaders" who seem to pride themselves on "respectability" and "professionalism" in their outward behavior?

Kathie Bracy
October 22, 2006