Meat, potatoes, and social niceties are nice but....they don't put the meat and potatoes on the table!

From John Curry, November 21, 2008

Below are the letters of two county retired teachers' association presidents; Don Gatchell of Ross County and Gorge Doyle of Allen County. The have the courage to speak out against the bonuses that are proposed to be awarded to STRS investments associates through fiscal year 2009. These presidents have courage and are to be commended. There are, however, some local chapters who have leadership that is not so bold or in tune with what is really going on at 275 E. Broad St. in Columbus.

I have visited various local county retired teachers association meetings and find that many of the retirees are ill-informed of what really is going on at STRS. All they know is what they read in their ORTA magazine which doesn't relate the whole story of what is going on so....they are satisfied eating their meat and mashed potatoes and seem to be happy knowing that all the world is just fine!

I have also just visited ORTA's website and find nothing on it concerning the bonus situation other that what was released to them by STRS's official press release.....it isn't the whole story, just like the STRS 25 billion dollar (now 30) loss wasn't in the previous STRS official release. I made the decision 5 years ago not to join ORTA because I felt they weren't addressing the current needs of STRS retirees...I still feel the same way. Thanks to Don Gatchell and George Doyle maybe there is still hope that ORTA will pick up the reins and take a stand on a controversial issue (bonuses)...but, I doubt it as it isn't a "nicety," is it? Niceties don't put meat and potatoes on retirees' tables, do they?

Am I criticizing ORTA? NO, I'M CHALLENGING ORTA TO BECOME PARTICIPATORY ON THIS ISSUE! Encourage your local RTA president to take a stand.

John Curry
A Proud CORE member