Jim N. Reed to Ann Hanning: You missed the point

From Jim N. Reed, April 13, 2007
Subject:Re: ORTA, Dr. Leone, CORAS, and Snowbirds
Ms. Hanning, thank you for your generic response. At least you have demonstrated the courtesy of recognizing my letter. I would think that any educator who contacts their retired teacher organization would be extended the same courtesy. Ignoring "concerns" of any educator who has taken the time to identify any ORTA issue would seem to be bad manners, bad public relations, and bad policy.

However, Ms. Hanning, it seems you have missed the thrust of my note. These are not just my or our "concerns."

Whether you want them or not, you and ORTA officials own these "concerns" as well.

Yes, one of those "concerns" is the continued foolish ploy of ignoring Dr. Dennis Leone. I am extremely interested, as many others are, as to the reasons for the lack of ORTA's recognition for what Dr. Leone has exposed at STRS and what he has accomplished in getting some corrections in an absolutely awful litany of abuses of every teacher's retirement contributions.

As co-owner of these "concerns," we are strongly suggesting that you do something different with them than what you have failed to do up to this point. "Business as usual" is not acceptable to many who belong to ORTA. I believe the number is growing.

Are you aware that recruitment of new members will become more and more difficult? A new, more aware generation of retirees are on the heels of the current crop who failed to pay attention, who failed to demand a pro-active retired educator organization prepared to aggressively advocate for all retirees. I believe the newcomers will insist that their professional organizations accept nothing less than the enforcement of ORC 3307.15 at all times.

Are you aware that many ORTA members have "dropped out," or are strongly considering doing so, frustrated at the lack of relevant, meaningful meetings and real leadership? Some of the county affiliates are so out-of-touch that there is a sense of surrealism in their social club gatherings.

Ms. Hanning, I do appreciate that you did not totally ignore my letter. But I implore you to go beyond this courtesy and begin making some serious adjustments and begin realigning ORTA's goals so that they might actually make a difference in the lives of some 120,000 retired educators. (Whether they are CORE card-carriers or not, they are ALL CONCERNED OHIO RETIRED EDUCATORS.)

Jim N. Reed