Molly Janczyk re: Voting and performance patterns of some STRS Board members

From Molly Janczyk, August 20, 2007
Subject: Voting: Aug. 16 STRS Meeting Highlights & Some Very Interesting Board Votes

Please let Jeff Chapman and Mary Ann Cervantes know how you feel about their voting patterns. Neither seem, in my opinion, to dare ask troubling questions nor do in depth research into important matters. The Medicare Advantage Plans are trouble all over the U. S. with many of us bringing news of these plans to STRS' attention. Many feel that Meuser and Ramser seem to go with whatever STRS wishes and while they may seem to peruse issues, it never seems they find any opposing stands to STRS stands. Meuser has been a serious disappointment in this area. I feel Chapman and Cervantes are both decent folks but lack the initiative to demand accountability for retirees, current and future. Retirees voted Chapman in due to his statement when he ran and I see precious little of the person who spoke to us or wrote that statement.

Both Cervantes and Chapman are OFT and the former late President, Tom Mooney, questioned all things in depth to see how they would affect every retiree. He stood, in my opinion, alongside Leone and Lazares in most all positions and fought for never signing contracts without having reviewed documents while some board members found that intrusive. Mooney fought for most of the same important issues as Leone and Lazares and never feared taking a stand. I lament Cervantes and Chapman's seeming lack of dynamic strength to question and go to all sides for debate on important issues and to place themselves in our circumstance, always, as ORC:3307.15 states.

We constantly hear Leone and Lazares ask the Board how they can raise costs without searching every avenue for retirees who cannot afford meds, etc. No response and no apparent in depth studies requested beyond STRS staff input by some.

I feel we need a stronger Retiree Board Member and Jeff Chapman's position is up in August 2009. Mary Ann Cervantes' position is up as well in 8/09, I believe, as an active representative. We need questioning minds, strong oversight and persons elected who understand that to simply go along is not what Tom Mooney ever intended as he clearly stated to me.