Paul Boyer's speech to STRS Board, November 16, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, staff, retirees and guests: As many of you know, I am Paul L. Boyer, speaking for myself, the Allen County Retirees and expressing the views of most, if not all, of the retirees in this state. I retired from Paulding Exempted Village Schools in 1985 as an industrial arts teacher. When you receive a copy of this speech, you will note that we have a new address, as we have moved into the Primrose Retirement Center in Lima, a brand new facility which we call the Cadillac of retirement homes at a modest cost.

One appointed board member recently chided another board member on wasting time with his question and comments and that same complaining member the next day did the same thing with another question. Ladies and Gentlemen, EVERY BOARD MEMBER HAS AN EQUAL RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS AND MAKE COMMENTS UNTIL HE OR SHE GETS AN ADEQUATE ANSWER WITHOUT BEING CRITICIZED BY ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER.. You are all equal; none of you are above any others. Any board member who does not realize the value of a few dollars to us retirees, please take a good hard look at yourself and resign from the board. Two or three of you were backed by CORE because you promised certain things and have not done them. DON’T EXPECTED TO BE ELECTED AGAIN.

Also, no member has the right to make a motion for something that is not on the agenda for the day, including the chair. If you want to do this, then you must move a change in the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. I can see no need of having to give Dr. Asbury an extension of his contract at this time without all board members having had information on it beforehand.

NOW, IT IS TIME FOR EVERY BOARD MEMBER TO PLEDGE TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE SYSTEM. REMEMBER, THIS IS OUR MONEY TO BE SPENT FOR OUR BENEFIT AND NOT YOURS TO SPEND AS YOU SEE FIT. Have you memorized the applicable Ohio Revised Code so you can follow it to the letter?

Also, please do not consider cutting the reimbursement for Medicare for 2007 or you may regret it.

Thank you.