Charlie Seipelt: Stories about OEA/STRS relationship from a former STRS Board member from a more distant past

From Charlie Seipelt, November 2, 2006

Subject: Re: HCA Proposal - from Paul Boyer

Former STRS Bd. Member, Lou Koenig (sp), related the exact story about how Herb Dyer was hired to a sizable group of disgruntled retirees from SW Ohio some time ago [See Paul Boyer's "Back off" letter of Nov. 2 below]. This was at a gathering set up by officials of ORTA at a restaurant (called Five Points) near Fincastle shortly after Dennis Leone had blown the whistle and things began to unravel at STRS. He said he was miffed over the process at the time as he was supposed to be on the STRS selection committee but got directed by the OEA group as to how they were to proceed. He said he was bothered by it at the time and continues to be troubled by how STRS and OEA had operated then and now. He claimed that OEA leadership and control had changed from the time he went on the STRS Bd. until he left. Lou had no reason to lie about this matter as he was merely providing information as to how things were in regard to STRS/OEA relationships at the time. From all I read, things haven't changed a great deal when it comes to who is running the ship (direct or indirect).

Letters from, Ray Sutherland, former and respected OEA Field Rep. for SW Ohio, that have passed through this email chain have indicated some similar issues in regard to OEA control and present leadership. I believe Ray said something like, "OEA isn't the same organization he had known and worked for during his professional career." So, draw your own conclusions on the influence OEA has had on our STRS during the past decade. They may try to deny their control but it has been a fact for years and I guess they are ashamed (or belligerent enough) to admit it now that so much (got caught stuff) has come to light.

I don't know if anything I have written means anything but denial of historic facts is a sad thing.

Charlie