John Curry to Damon Asbury re: Better accessibility to Board meetings for all
John Curry to Damon Asbury, January 10, 2007
Subject: Governor Strickland's Executive Order of 1.8.07
Damon,
Just a few days ago our new Governor issued an Executive Order (1.8.07) which primarily dealt with tightening governmental ethics rules, but also dealt with timely electronic transmittal of governmental board meetings. I quote from text of this executive order of Jan. 8, 2007 ..."The executive order also encourages all cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions to make public meetings more accessible, including presenting meetings live or recorded on the Internet."
Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for receiving the recorded CD's of the audio portion of current Board meetings however..... I get the package of CD's approximately three weeks after the Board meeting is adjourned. It's kind of like (to use something that folks of our age are familiar with) getting your draft orders to report to Cincinnati, OH to take your Uncle Sam pre-induction physical in your mailbox three weeks after your scheduled appearance for the physical. It just isn't the same!
I am aware that the topic of a Board live video feed has been discussed and financial reasons were given as a reason not to proceed. What hasn't been thoroughly explored is the much cheaper audio (only) feed.... either live or delayed and presented to STRS stakeholders via a link on the STRS website. Many organizations and even some churches are now offering this service. This cost would be offset by the savings of not having to produce the many CD's (5 in my recent packet of the December Board meeting) and to mail them to those who have requested them. This packet cost us at least several bucks to produce and mail. Surely our IT department is capable of handling this task ("presenting audio feeds of Board meetings live or recorded on the Internet") that is now strongly recommended by our new Governor.
If the STRS can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a "study" from the Independent Fiduciary Services, Inc. that took in the neighborhood of two years to arrive I (and other retirees) feel that the STRS could part with a few "well-spent" dollars to come into compliance with what our new Governor is encouraging. This way, any STRS stakeholder or citizen who has access to the Internet can, in a timely fashion, hear discussion and decisions being made that will affect the futures of all STRS stakeholders. Many of these deserving people are unable to attend STRS Board meetings due to ill health, physical limitations, weather, finances, and/or are back to work (in my case) so that they can afford "affordable" healthcare insurance since the spousal subsidy has been eliminated.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
John Curry -- an STRS retiree and a Proud CORE member
Subject: Governor Strickland's Executive Order of 1.8.07
Damon,
Just a few days ago our new Governor issued an Executive Order (1.8.07) which primarily dealt with tightening governmental ethics rules, but also dealt with timely electronic transmittal of governmental board meetings. I quote from text of this executive order of Jan. 8, 2007 ..."The executive order also encourages all cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions to make public meetings more accessible, including presenting meetings live or recorded on the Internet."
Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for receiving the recorded CD's of the audio portion of current Board meetings however..... I get the package of CD's approximately three weeks after the Board meeting is adjourned. It's kind of like (to use something that folks of our age are familiar with) getting your draft orders to report to Cincinnati, OH to take your Uncle Sam pre-induction physical in your mailbox three weeks after your scheduled appearance for the physical. It just isn't the same!
I am aware that the topic of a Board live video feed has been discussed and financial reasons were given as a reason not to proceed. What hasn't been thoroughly explored is the much cheaper audio (only) feed.... either live or delayed and presented to STRS stakeholders via a link on the STRS website. Many organizations and even some churches are now offering this service. This cost would be offset by the savings of not having to produce the many CD's (5 in my recent packet of the December Board meeting) and to mail them to those who have requested them. This packet cost us at least several bucks to produce and mail. Surely our IT department is capable of handling this task ("presenting audio feeds of Board meetings live or recorded on the Internet") that is now strongly recommended by our new Governor.
If the STRS can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a "study" from the Independent Fiduciary Services, Inc. that took in the neighborhood of two years to arrive I (and other retirees) feel that the STRS could part with a few "well-spent" dollars to come into compliance with what our new Governor is encouraging. This way, any STRS stakeholder or citizen who has access to the Internet can, in a timely fashion, hear discussion and decisions being made that will affect the futures of all STRS stakeholders. Many of these deserving people are unable to attend STRS Board meetings due to ill health, physical limitations, weather, finances, and/or are back to work (in my case) so that they can afford "affordable" healthcare insurance since the spousal subsidy has been eliminated.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
John Curry -- an STRS retiree and a Proud CORE member
posted by Kathie Bracy at 3:16 PM
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