John Curry: Tim Myers letter -- you have asked so, here it is!

From John Curry, October 9, 2006

This is the letter (to me at my Yahoo email address) from Tim Myers (on June 12, 2003) that Paul Boyer has related to. Tim, an active teacher at Elida Schools (in Allen County), has been mentioned as a possible candidate for an open STRS Board seat. After combing through the June 8, 2003 Cleveland Plain Dealer STRS article, I am still having difficulty finding "too many flaws in Leone's accusations." In fact, I couldn't find any flaws. Maybe Tim could assist me?

As far as Tim's query, "Are you following Leone blindly," I say, no -- not then and not today. My eyes are wide open, just as they were in June 2003. Dr. Leone's 13 page report HAS passed the test of time and still stands today as an expose' of the "mismanagement" that has existed at STRS.

I stand behind what I said to Tim in June of 2003 and I still stand behind it I today.

John, a Proud CORE member

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From: Tim Myers

To: John Curry

Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2003

Subject: Re: Leone email

John,

Did you read the article about STRS in the Plain Dealer? It gives an objective report on the problem. They did some of their own research, and find too many flaws in Leone's accusations.

It was on the front page of the Sunday June 8th edition.

Was there an excess? Yes. Was there mismanagement? No. Did the excess have anything to do with the health care problem? Absolutely not.

Don't get me wrong, I do not trust Herb Dyer. But I do trust the teachers on the board, Joe Endry, and two of the three statutory representatives.

And John, if I was an ass-kissing person, I would have never engaged you in this dialogue. That is why I have been going to each meeting personally to find out what is going on. Are you following Leone blindly? The next insurance meeting is next Thursday (19th) at 9:00 in the STRS building. Come to the meeting and find out for yourself.

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From John:

Tim, if the OEA has been so vigilant and so worried about the plight of retirees, then they wouldn't have let this entire mess happen in the first place. They have manned the STRS board with a majority (5/9) of the board. They were asleep at the helm of the ship they should have been minding. Thanks to their carelessness, the ship is sinking. Wake up, open up your eyes and stop kissing the OEA's ass.

John

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From Tim Myers:

John,

OEA released this statement today.

Tim Myers

NEA Board of Directors

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OEA Statement

As officers of the Ohio Education Association, we are very much aware of the allegations toward STRS contained in the document written and widely distributed by Dennis Leone, Superintendent of Chillicothe City Schools. Despite his efforts to discredit STRS management, the OEA remains committed to working with STRS and its staff to find solutions to the health care crisis that is affecting our members. Especially through our work with the Health Care Advocates for STRS, the OEA?s focus remains on fixing the problem, rather than fixing blame.

Although Mr. Leone?s allegations raise concerns, many of the incidents he wants ?corrected? occurred in the past and cannot be changed. The context in which he addresses these issues appears to be of his own creation. The STRS Board and management have addressed the issues Mr. Leone presents. These issues need to be reviewed continually and any resulting change needs to be for the benefit of current and future retirees. The present members of the STRS Board are committed to improving the operation of STRS. We encourage them to communicate these improvements to members. While improving its operation is important, STRS is finding solutions to the health care crisis for now and in the future. The OEA supports this effort.

Mr. Leone?s motives for his decision to broadcast his claims far and wide are unclear. Much of his logic is difficult to follow. In contrast, the OEA?s purpose and reasoning are clear: we will work with the Health Care Advocates and the STRS Board to protect and promote the welfare of current and future STRS beneficiaries. We respect that ? first -- STRS must protect our guaranteed pensions, and recognize that the Board fulfills its fiduciary responsibility in doing so. Anyone can point fingers and create division, especially with the advantage of hindsight and when communicating about such an emotionally charged issue, but the OEA refuses to operate in that destructive way. We believe in the integrity of the State Teachers Retirement System and the individuals on the Board. We remain committed to working with them in a unified way to solve problems and create solutions for the benefit of our shared constituency.