RH Jones' speech to STRS 8/16/07

From RH Jones, August 18, 2007
Subject: My STRS speech of 08/16/07

To all:

I have 4-topics:

First, I would like to congratulate the STRS investment employees, and the board, for having 0% dollars of ours sunk in Sublime Mortgage Investments. I salute you.

Second, I would like to invite all those retired educators who reside in other states to return to live, and to spend their checks here in Ohio. Somehow, if legally possible, the STRS Ohio needs to reward those teacher members who do live and vote here.

Third, 2-years ago, I brought to the attention of the STRS board and Dr. Asbury that the Veteran's Administration (VAS) "Health Buddy" -- a small lightweight electronic appliance -- could save my STRS much money. In the meantime, the VA reported last year that 11,713 patients, diagnosed with any of 45 different chronic health disorders, transmit daily to their health care providers. Therefore, this device can be especially helpful to those of them who do not live near health facilities, live alone, or who are infirm; and, by avoiding more hospitalizations per patient, individual costs are lowered from $50,000 per year, to $10,000. This "avoidance factor" consequently also lowered of the number of visits to the ER, or ICU, reportedly brought down costs from $100,000 per year, to $25,000, a significant savings. Improvements in the "Health Buddy", such as voice recognition, are ongoing. Even more reasons for chronically ill retired patients to now have this device. The cost of the "Health Buddy" would be a bargain for the STRS.

Fourth, and lastly, to the majority STRS board members who voted in June for divestiture" It is obvious to reasonable persons that the outcome of the vote was not in the spirit of the ORC 3307.15.

Respectfully submitted, Robert Hudson Jones (End of speech)

Note: To those who are not aware of ORC 3307.15, it is basically an Ohio law that says that the STRS board members are to vote solely in the interests of the STRS members.

A further explanation of my speech: First, I would like to a say to those of you who live out-of-state: "Y'all" come home to Ohio! And to everyone: If you want to read the whole explanation of the "Health Buddy", it can be found ( Note: Better late than never, notice that it is a 2006 magazine) in the VFW magazine, September 2006, page 24 an article entitled: "Health Buddy; T-E-L-E-M-E-D-I-C-I-N-E T-O G-O by Janice Arenofsky."

In conclusion of yesterday's events at the STRS meeting, I would like to report to you that I am extremely proud of my CORE group. Those who spoke were tremendous. And, retired board member,.Dr. Leone, and board member, John Lazares, together were even more tremendous. They are competently representing the interests of all STRS members, not only retired members. They are just great. You have a moral obligation to back these wonderful gentlemen. Please remember that they and CORE are volunteers, for you! By the way, at the meeting, there was no comments to the board from the OEA/OFT or ORTA Pres. Dr. Don Bright, or of the ORTA Ex.Director, Ann Hanning. Also, by the way, my SummitCRTA is planning 2-bus trips this month. Neither of the two were to sit in on a STRS meeting. How sad.

RHJones, an extremely proud CORE member and SummitCRTA Leg. CMTE Mem.