From the Canton Rep

Taxpayers would be stuck with $500K bill if Ney exits
COPLEY OHIO NEWSPAPERS

COLUMBUS - U.S. Rep. Bob Ney’s troubles with the law could cost Ohio taxpayers another $500,000 if he resigns or is expelled from Congress after pleading guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges.

Ney, R-Heath, has not said whether he plans to resign after he formally pleads guilty Oct. 13.

But if he leaves the House before the end of the year, Gov. Bob Taft, a fellow Republican, has the legal authority to decide whether to hold another special election to fill the rest of Ney’s term.

Such an election would cost Ohio taxpayers $500,000, according to James Lee, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office.

Ney’s attorney William Lawler was noncommittal when asked if Ney planned to resign.

“I think he’s taking it one step at a time,” Lawler said.

I liked Bob Ney and I'm sad to see it come to this.

On the bright side, maybe Bob will end up giving tours of previously flooded areas, just like disgraced Democrat Congressman Bill "Cold Cash in my Freezer" Jefferson.

from the Canton Rep

Third member of STRS board submits resignation
By PAUL E. KOSTYU COPLEY COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS - A third member in as many months has resigned from the board of the State Teachers Retirement System.

Michael N. Billirakis of Pickerington submitted a letter of resignation effective immediately Thursday during the board’s monthly meeting. Billirakis, an executive committee member of the National Education Association, did not attend.

He is expected to appear in Franklin County Municipal Court next week to face four counts of violating state ethics law. Billirakis and three other former board members are accused of accepting and failing to disclose tickets to the Broadway Show “Hairspray” from the Frank Russell Corporation-Russell Real Estate Advisers. Billirakis also is accused of accepting and failing to disclose tickets to a Cleveland Indians game that he got from Salomon Smith Barney. The retirement system was doing business with both firms at the time.

STRS has been run by a number of shady bureaucrat hucksters for a very long time. Here is an example, via an Enquirer story from 2003:

The funds have been beset by controversy this year. In August, the State Teachers Retirement System's executive director took a $550,000 buyout and resigned following criticism on ethical and spending issues, including the payment of $14 million in bonuses to staffers, the board's use of funds to purchase artwork, and travel expenses considered to be extravagant.

That is quite a job! You are a corrupt sob, so they give you a 1/2 million dollar buyout plan!

Ohio teachers, and the taxpayers who pay for their work, should be deeply offended.

What ever happened to just using some investment services on the private market. Why would we allow such a corrupt bureaucracy to exist? It makes as much sense as having a government agency offering insurance for workers comp claims (BWC).

When reading the Enquirer this morning, I couldn't help but notice the difference in pictures between Tom Raga and Lee Fisher:

I guess for Doom and Gloom liberals, smiling is not an option.

And CJ Prentiss looks especially unhappy! Probably because it's 2pm and shes still sober.