Jim N. Reed: A letter of appreciation

From Jim N. Reed, April 21, 2009
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Leone challenges the OEA to a debate! "OEA can pick the date, the time, and location. I will be there."

Dear Dr. Leone,

You've done it again! Each time in the past four years that I have become so frustrated and disenchanted with STRS and become selfishly complacent you have provided a pep talk or letter that has restarted the juices. Where did you coach? I've been in that business for 45 years and never been around anyone who does it better!

Your invitation to OEA, Leibensperger in particular, to public debate is a much-awaited event. I believe we could sell tickets. I would be proud to be in your corner.

My thought is that neither OEA or Leibensperger will accept the challenge. I think they know they can't survive the factual data, as supplied by their own union and our retirement system, combined with your expertise and logic. Even though they can afford the costs of making any kind of arrangements, publicity, propaganda, etc., they cannot afford to be publicly exposed for their unethical, even fraudulent, behavior past and present. Such a public conversation would only lend itself to additional STRS/OEA condemnation among uninformed educators, board members, and taxpayers.

However, the rules have changed in our favor. Due to your tenure on the Board, the membership of OEA and STRS will never again be totally subservient to the brainwashing tactics stakeholders have been exposed to during their careers.

There is a growing number of OEA/STRS-literate actives and retirees who will no longer sit on their hands and play the role of the union-indoctrinated passive, apathetic educator. There are still too many who have not actively sought out available information but that number is shrinking as this letter is being written. I know because concerned educators have contacted me. And I know they have contacted others who have refused to look the other way, charter advocates like John Lazares, Kathie Bracy, Tom Curtis, John Curry, Molly Janczyk, and members of CORE. Especially encouraging are the new faces that have entered the fray, men like Jim Stoll, Bob Stein, Ralph Roshong, and Rich DeColibus.

Never again will OEA and STRS have a free pass.

Dennis, you cannot be replaced on the Board. You are a true pioneer in what you have accomplished. That ground had never been traversed. But you have been an inspiration to others who will strive to advocate, to educate, to question, to debate, to watchdog and to reform on behalf of 450,000 educators and their beneficiaries. No one will ever have your unique style but you have provided a template and produced proteges who have learned from a master mentor.

From a 45-year educator, I can not express adequately my sincere gratitude for what you have accomplished as an advocate for the security of families of Ohio's active and retired educators.

Jim N. Reed