John Curry re: Governor Strickland's Executive Order on 1.8.07 and 'accessible government'

From John Curry, 23 Apr 2007

I wonder if Dr. Asbury informed the Board, during last Wednesday's discussion re. broadcasting STRS meetings, that Governor Strickland issued an Executive Order (on 1.8.07) which encouraged presenting board meetings live or recorded on the Internet! Below is a letter sent to Dr. Asbury on Jan. 10 of this year. I wonder if some of the Board members were even aware of this Executive Order?......I doubt it!

It appears as though the majority of the Board feels there is not an interest in this movement to produce transmittal of said minutes. They appear to not understand that it does not need to entail both audio AND VIDEO....just audio. They also do not appear to be aware that our Governor has requested it!

This could be placed on the STRS website so that a user could click on it to hear the proceedings. Audio production would be a lot cheaper than video + audio.... even less than monies spent during that one year at Christmas time for poinsettias to decorate the STRS building! John

Below is a copy of Governor Strickland's Executive Order with the highlighted text pertaining to broadcasting of board meetings followed by my letter to Damon on 1/10/07:

1.8.07 - Strickland Takes Oath of Office; Issues Executive Order Tightening Ethics Rules

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today performed his first official action, immediately after he and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher took the oath of office, by signing an Executive Order to establish new ethics requirements for himself, his staff, cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions.

The Executive Order will require that Strickland and his staff decline virtually all gifts, excepting token gifts. The Order also requires every state department and agency to appoint a chief ethics officer to insure that staff is educated about ethics requirements, and calls for an anonymous reporting system for possible ethics violations.

The Executive Order requires a process to be established for companies wanting to do business with the state to certify in writing that they understand and will abide by this order and Ohio ethics and conflict of interest laws. Finally, the order requires government agencies or departments to put in writing and make available to the public reasons for awarding no-bid contracts.

"Recent scandals in Columbus have created the perception that decisions are made to reward political friends instead of making decisions that are best for Ohio," Strickland said. "The people of Ohio need to have faith in their government, and this first Executive Order is the first step in strengthening their faith."

Under the order, the only gifts Strickland and staff will be permitted to accept will be from: close family members, personal friends who are not lobbyists, who have no contracts with the State, and who do not receive grants from the State; individuals or groups who present him or staff with an inexpensive, token gift such as a t-shirt, cap, mug, meal under $20 or lapel pin; and government officials from another state or country who offer gifts as a gesture of friendship to the people of Ohio.

The same requirements apply to directors and employees of cabinet agencies, and those employed or appointed on state boards and commissions. All accepted gifts will be in accordance with Ohio law, and will be fully disclosed.

In order for all state employees and vendors to know and understand the new ethics requirements, agency directors will designate a senior staff member to serve as a chief ethics officer who will work with the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Governor's Office to develop an Ethic's Education program within the next 60 days. An anonymous reporting system will be put in place to facilitate state employees and chief ethics officers reporting ethics violations.

"This order sends a clear message to all Ohioans that their government will answer to them, not special interests." Strickland said. "Let everyone know: it is no longer business as usual in Columbus, and we are all working together to make Ohio better."

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.

"Ohioans deserve an open, honest and accessible government," Strickland said. "This executive order marks the beginning of an administration that is committed to giving Ohioans that government."
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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