Tom Curtis: ORTA is not an advocate for retirees

From Tom Curtis, April 18, 2010
Subject: From Dennis Leone...... Where was ORTA?

Hello Educators,

My involvement with the operation of the STRS has come to an end after 7 years. YEA! So you will not be bothered by emails from me any longer concerning the STRS. Well, maybe not completely, but very, very, very few.

I have also rescinded my life membership with ORTA. Many think that was not wise. The following message [see ORTA! ORTA! ORTA!, posted immediately below this post] from Dennis Leone explains very well, why I chose to do so.

Also, I was recently told that Ann Hanning's contract as director of ORTA was renewed for another 3 years. To me, this is comparable to the senate and the house giving themselves raises whenever they like. I believe Ann Hanning's annual salary is $50K+, but she will not respond to requests for this information from various members.

Should a member not be able to know just what their dues are paying for, other then a quarterly newsletter?

As before, I encourage any current member or prospective member to seriously consider why you would choose to support, or continue to support an organization that has done so little for retirees under Ann Hanning's direction?

In my opinion, ORTA is not an advocate for retirees, as it claims to be. ORTA continually sides with the OEA, another organization that does so little for retirees. Why, because retirees no longer pay their outrageous dues. Enough said! It's your money, please spend it wisely.

Tom Curtis