From: Dennis Leone
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 4:16 PM
To: 'Nehf, Mike' Cc: 'Neville, Bill'; 'Treneff, Nick'; 'Board'
Subject: Questions
Mr. Nehf -- Thank you for your reply below.
Regarding #1 below: What was “clear as presented ” (using your words in #1
below) in this matter is that the ballot issued a command of “Select Two
Candidates.” So while you are saying to me that no one at STRS asked the
election vendor employed to change the ballot language from 2009, are you also
saying that the change just happened on its own, that no one at STRS felt the
new ballot language needed to be changed, but that the change occurred
mysteriously anyway? This is not making much sense? The STRS Board not
bothering to even look at the ballot language ahead of time would be like a
school board authorizing a bond issue, then not looking at the ballot language
before the board of elections printed the ballot. Hands-off governance at its
worst.
Regarding #2 below: If the ballot information was clear, as you wrote in
#1 below, then why did STRS deem it was necessary (as you wrote below in #2) to
offer a second ballot to “make voters aware” (using your words in #2 below) that
they may vote for up two candidates in this election. You didn’t feel a need to
make it clear with the paper ballot that retirees did not really have
to “Select Two Candidates” (even though that is what the ballot said to
do), but you felt a need to make clear with online voters that voters
could chose up to two candidates. Don’t you see the
inconsistency?
Regarding #3: Yes, I am well aware that the board may only go into
executive session for matters authorized in ORC 121.22(G), but your statement to
me (see #3 below) that it would be inappropriate for you to disclose “the
content of the executive session” does not address what I am asking you. I am
not asking you to specifically disclose WHAT was
discussed in executive session. I do not care to know the specific content of
what was discussed. I am simply asking IF the ballot
issue or voting concerns WERE discussed in
executive. There IS a big difference. I am entitled to
know IF these issues were discussed in executive
session. That is all I am asking. If these issues were NOT discussed in
executive session, then you have nothing to worry about. If I asked you whether
you discussed the Ohio State Cheerleaders in executive session, my guess is that
would quickly say no and you would not dodge the issue. But for sure, if you
DID discuss the Ohio State Cheerleaders in executive session, I suspect you
would not want to admit it. Is this perhaps why you are NOT telling me if the
ballot issue of election concerns were discussed in executive session? Yes or
no? Was there executive session discussion about ballot issues or election
concerns on 4-18-13 at STRS?
Please provide me with needed clarification and answers to questions above.
Given the large number of retirees who have told me they desired to vote
for ONLY one candidate, but – for concern that a single vote would invalidate
their ballot – ended up voting for 2 candidates so they would not disobey the
“Select Two Candidates” command on the main ballot or the online second ballot,
I hereby make the following public records’ request:
I wish to have a copy of all written communications (including – but
not limited to – letters, memos, emails, text messages, and other electronic
communications) sent by you or received by you in the current fiscal year that
pertain in any way to the 2013 STRS Board election, 2103 Board election
petitions, 2013 ballot concerns, or 2013 board election process concerns. (I do
not desire copies of any election petitions that were turned in for retiree
Board candidates.) This request includes communications on said topics to or
from VR Election Services, STRS employees, or STRS Board members, or copies of
communications that were authored by STRS employees or STRS Board members on
said topics. Understand that since STRS Board members are public officials, I am
entitled to copies of written communications they authored on topics pursuant to
this request, whether said communications were generated by their STRS email
system, their home email system, work email system, or any other electronic
communication device they have used to communicate information pertaining to
said topics. I am asking you to make sure the board members (who have been in
office during the current fiscal year) are made aware of this request and to
instruct them to comply with my request with copies of communications they
authored on said topics. I am willing to pay the printing costs associated with
this request, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code.
Thank you.
Dennis Leone
From: Nehf, Mike
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 11:27 AM
To: Dennis Leone Subject:RE: Questions
Dr. Leone, below are my responses to your questions. Be assured that I
have given consideration to the concern you have raised about this year’s
Retirement Board election. I have reviewed these items with my staff and
understand that they have been in contact with you throughout the election
process. I believe these responses clearly state STRS Ohio’s viewpoint on the
matter.
From: Dennis Leone
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 7:17 PM
To: Nehf, Mike; Neville, Bill
Subject: Questions
I would appreciate answers to the following questions:
1. Why does this year’s Board election ballot read “Select Two Candidates”
when the ballot in 2009 read “Select Up To Two Candidates?” In both years,
there were 4 retirees running for the 2 open spots on the board. Response: VR Election Services, the vendor STRS Ohio hired to
administer the election, prepared the ballot – we did not ask the vendor to
change the ballot language from what they prepared in 2009. My communications
director subsequently reviewed the voting packet contents in its entirety
(including the ballot) and believed the instructions were clear and correct as
presented.
2. Why, when I voted for myself electronically this year by clicking the
word “submit,” was my ballot not accepted until a I rejected an additional
pop-up reminder that I could cast a second vote? Response:
The pop-up reminder was included to help make voters aware that they may vote
for two candidates in this election. Voters, whether they vote online, by phone
or by mail, are able to cast a vote for only one candidate.
3. Was there any discussion in executive session on April 18 at STRS about
matters pertaining to this year’s board election process, election documents, or
election complaints expressed by me? As you know, the Board
may enter executive session only in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section
121.22 (G). It would inappropriate for me to disclose the content of executive
session.
4. What will happen if the active teacher “teller” who volunteered to
represent me on May 11 cannot attend the vote tabulation at STRS? She has just
informed me that she may need to have surgery. Will my board candidacy be
jeopardized if there is no active teacher teller present for me on May 11?
There are hundreds of retirees who would enjoy serving as a teller for me, as
retirees did in 2005 for both Dave Speas and me. Response:
The inability of your teller to attend the meeting on May 11 will not affect
your eligibility to be elected.
Thank you.
Dennis Leone
