Nancy Hamant's tribute to Dennis Leone
June 18, 2009
DR. DENNIS LEONE--LEADER AND FRIEND
It is impossible! We can't believe it! Say it ain't so! Dr. Dennis Leone's term on the STRS Board ends in August 2009. Just two months away!
For over six years, educators across Ohio have been privileged to be represented by Dr. Dennis Leone. Dr. Leone's efforts on behalf of all STRS members are countless. All educators have benefited from his work and leadership.
Six years ago, Dr. Leone responded to a retired teacher's call for help when her letter to Herb Dyer was sent back with comments in red. That callous action sent shock waves across Ohio. In support of the teacher, Dr. Leone persistently gathered information on STRS's management practices, Board members' travel, cost of the new building, and bonuses paid to the entire STRS staff. Educators responding to the excesses gathered in Columbus and marched to the State House and to STRS. Dr. Leone's partner in examining STRS's management practices was John Lazares. Changes have occurred at STRS that STRS members have to be eternally grateful to both Dr. Leone and Mr. Lazares, including the addition of another retiree STRS Board Member seat.
When I think of all that Dr. Leone has done over the past six years, I think the following words describe Dennis and his work: courageous, questioner, organized, energetic, devoted, fearless, advocate, ethical, staunch supporter of educators, never "politically correct", high moral standards, trustworthy, integrity, clairvoyant, predictor, long-term vision, and most of all--friend and leader.
It is unbelievable that in the next two months, STRS members will no longer have Dennis (or John) looking out for their best interests and protecting their retirement and health care benefits at STRS.
The only way that we can thank Dennis and John enough is to step forward and try to carry on their work. Monitoring of STRS administrative actions is not completed. We must work diligently to protect the changes brought about by them. We must work with the two new retiree Board Members, Mr. McGreevy and Mr. Stein, to alert them to our concerns and to support their efforts on our behalf. STRS Members best tribute to Dr. Dennis Leone and to Mr. John Lazares is to continue their work!
So, Dennis, best wishes for a relaxed future, free from STRS Board stresses, and full of love and activities with your family. From time to time, we all hope to see you at STRS Board meetings and look forward to any insights that you care to share with us!
DR. DENNIS LEONE--LEADER AND FRIEND
It is impossible! We can't believe it! Say it ain't so! Dr. Dennis Leone's term on the STRS Board ends in August 2009. Just two months away!
For over six years, educators across Ohio have been privileged to be represented by Dr. Dennis Leone. Dr. Leone's efforts on behalf of all STRS members are countless. All educators have benefited from his work and leadership.
Six years ago, Dr. Leone responded to a retired teacher's call for help when her letter to Herb Dyer was sent back with comments in red. That callous action sent shock waves across Ohio. In support of the teacher, Dr. Leone persistently gathered information on STRS's management practices, Board members' travel, cost of the new building, and bonuses paid to the entire STRS staff. Educators responding to the excesses gathered in Columbus and marched to the State House and to STRS. Dr. Leone's partner in examining STRS's management practices was John Lazares. Changes have occurred at STRS that STRS members have to be eternally grateful to both Dr. Leone and Mr. Lazares, including the addition of another retiree STRS Board Member seat.
When I think of all that Dr. Leone has done over the past six years, I think the following words describe Dennis and his work: courageous, questioner, organized, energetic, devoted, fearless, advocate, ethical, staunch supporter of educators, never "politically correct", high moral standards, trustworthy, integrity, clairvoyant, predictor, long-term vision, and most of all--friend and leader.
It is unbelievable that in the next two months, STRS members will no longer have Dennis (or John) looking out for their best interests and protecting their retirement and health care benefits at STRS.
The only way that we can thank Dennis and John enough is to step forward and try to carry on their work. Monitoring of STRS administrative actions is not completed. We must work diligently to protect the changes brought about by them. We must work with the two new retiree Board Members, Mr. McGreevy and Mr. Stein, to alert them to our concerns and to support their efforts on our behalf. STRS Members best tribute to Dr. Dennis Leone and to Mr. John Lazares is to continue their work!
So, Dennis, best wishes for a relaxed future, free from STRS Board stresses, and full of love and activities with your family. From time to time, we all hope to see you at STRS Board meetings and look forward to any insights that you care to share with us!
posted by Kathie Bracy at 10:59 PM
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