Mary Woolford: Where's the beef?

From Molly Janczyk, November 4, 2008
Subject: Re: The hidden cost of the "Hefty bonuses," STRS employees ARE contributing members to the OPERS retirement system

When Board members wonder WHY we are so angry, feel the pain in this email. It is because Board members are not suffering and cannot put themselves in our shoes.

Mary Woolford to Molly Janczyk, November 4, 2008
Subject: Re: The hidden cost of the "Hefty bonuses," STRS employees ARE contributing members to the OPERS retirement system!

Why aren't more teachers, both active and retirees up in arms about this? Why not reinstate our 13th check and give 6% COLA instead of a mere 3% and then consider bonuses for investment staff who don't deserve them. Do you know what a pittance 3% of less than $20,000 is??

Our cries fall on "deaf" ears!! We are impotent and might as well accept it since we are ignored anyway. Does the Board answer to us, and if not, why not?? If they aren't going to reflect our views and wishes, who are they representing instead??

Month after month, and year after year, this has been going on. I am almost seventy-seven. Does the Board know what we want to happen?? Can it happen in my lifetime?? We are innocent "victims" of a system now in place that is not working in our behalf. And, we can't do a darned thing except continue to be stepped on.

If all the exposure of fraud a few years ago did nothing to change things, what makes us think our voices will be heard and listened to now?? Unless we have legal representation and a Goliath fighting for us, nothing will change. Aren't there some former teachers who now hold government positions in our state that will add their voices and some "clout" to our cause?? Aren't there some journalists who can stay on this case and make enough noise to draw the attention of the strong and powerful to act in our behalf?

What is it we are wanting done? Who are we specifically aiming at and missing so much?? Why are we being ignored by so few who represent so many?? Something just doesn't add up. Do we have a case worthy of the fight? Where's the BEEF and why aren't the right people hearing us??

Mary Woolford