Tom Curtis to RH Jones: Retirees driving that far on their own nickel deserve more than three minutes

Tom Curtis to RH Jones, January 20, 2007

Subject: 012007 Curtis, Re: STRS Board Chair "hammers" Dr. Fluke out-of-order

Excellent letter, Bob!

Thank you and Kay for driving down to Columbus this week. Your presence was greatly appreciated by all.

It was good to see both of you once again and each of you gave strong presentations to the board. Unfortunately, many on the board just don't get it. The few of us that come down from our area or any area above us have a long way to travel and it pretty much takes your entire day to do so. This is also true for those that drive from south of Columbus. To spend that much time and energy to do so, should certainly be worthy of more time then 3 MINUTES to speak to the people that supposedly represent us! This is especially true, as many of the board members do not answer emails, so just how are we to get their attention?

I personally thank you and Dr. Fluke for your dedication to STRS retirees and their families. Those of us in CORE are very fortunate to have 2 educators of your quality continue to be involved in such an honorable mission. We all feel obligated to provide some oversight to help to keep a retirement system that was put in place for teachers, to stay in place for those coming behind us.

We have gained a lot in these past 4 years at the STRS, but there is so much more to be gained. We have opened doors, continued our mission, organized and have begun to be looked at as a serious organization.

Thank you again,

Tom Curtis