Contact State Senator Folmer to support SB 800 (Yudichak legislation)

[B_Levinson]

UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 800: The Senate is currently in recess, but will soon be returning to work on the budget impass. Meanwhile Senate Bill 800, to reform Penn State's BoT, is still in the House Government Committee. The Committee Chair, Senator Mike Folmer, needs to hear from Nittany Nation, our friends and our families to encourage him to bring this bill up for a vote in his committee. Folmer represents Lebanon and Dauphin Counties, so supporters there, in his home district, are VERY important. Here is Folmer's contact info: Harrisburg: 337 Main Capitol, 717-787-5708; 400 South 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042, 717-274-6735. email is : mfolmer "at" pasen.gov


Here is what I just sent:

Dear Senator Folmer,

cc: Senators Yudichak and Dinniman, Penn State Trustees, Penn State alumni networking


I agree with State Senator Yudichak’s legislation to reorganize the highly dysfunctional Penn State Board of Trustees. State Senator Dinniman pointed out, in fact, that the Business & Industry Trustees whose mishandling of the Sandusky scandal caused so much harm to the University are “serving” in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth. They are supposed to be appointed by state professional and industrial societies, but they changed the selection procedure (without authorization from the Legislature) so they could appoint themselves. The Board’s contempt for the Legislature is underscored by the fact that President Barron’s assistant, Michael DiRaimo, apparently lied to the Legislature about the Board’s position—it has none, having not voted to adopt one—on Senator Yudichak’s legislation. This unauthorized communication was tolerated by President Barron and the Board, and it is far more likely than not that one or more Board members directed Mr. DiRaimo in this manner.


The sworn depositions of Board Chairman Keith Masser and Trustee Kenneth Frazier in the Corman-NCAA lawsuit prove, meanwhile, that the Board not only scapegoated Coach Joe Paterno in November 2011, but then lied about the circumstances of his dismissal in March 2012. The issue is not Joe Paterno; somebody who scapegoats any employee, even one who pushes a broom, is not fit for any position of supervisory responsibility whatsoever. In addition, of course, lying to and on behalf of the organization to which one owes a fiduciary responsibility also disqualifies that person from any position of trust.


Former Board Chairwoman Karen Peetz (Business & Industry) violated the Board’s Standing Orders when she recklessly and without any evidence of due diligence affirmed the Freeh Report’s findings of guilt on Penn State’s behalf. The NCAA used this as an excuse to impose its sanctions, which cost the Commonwealth’s taxpayers as well as Penn State’s students upward of $60 million. Peetz then failed to inform the NCAA that the Board had not, in fact, voted to affirm the Freeh Report; she preferred to cover up her own misconduct despite the enormous damage to Penn State.


Former President Rodney Erickson accepted the sanctions on Penn State’s behalf without the approval of the Board, and apparently without even the knowledge of many Board members. The Board, as then constituted, tolerated Erickson’s circumvention of the Board’s responsibility and authority. (A few Trustees took exception, but the majority as then led by Chairwoman Peetz, and later Chairman Masser, prevented any action from being taken.)


Kenneth Frazier, another Business & Industry Trustee, was not merely a party to the falsehood told by the Board in March 2012. In March 2013, he used a racial slur—“people that look like you who think the O.J. Simpson verdict was correct”—during a public Board meeting in response to an alumnus who challenged the Freeh Report. An audio of the racial slur in question is available online. It’s the first item that comes up in a Google search on "Kenneth Frazier" and "that look like you."


Here, by the way, is proof that every single Board member as of March 2012, including ex officio Trustee Rodney Erickson, lied to and on behalf of the Penn State community about the circumstances of Coach Paterno’s dismissal.


Board statement of March 2012

"While Coach Paterno did his legal duty by reporting that information the next day, Sunday, March 3, to his immediate superior, the then Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley, the Board reasonably inferred that he did not call police. We determined that his decision to do his minimum legal duty and not to do more to follow up constituted a failure of leadership by Coach Paterno. …At about 9 pm, we unanimously made the difficult decision that Coach Paterno’s failure of leadership required his removal as football coach."


Note that the Board used “failure of leadership” twice. Please compare this to what Mr. Masser had to say later when under oath:


“The decision to remove Coach Paterno had nothing to do with what he had known, what he hadn’t done. It was based upon the distraction of having him on the sidelines would have caused the university and the current football team harm. It had nothing to do with what Coach Paterno had done, or hadn’t done.”


Kenneth Frazier’s deposition, while less explicit, supports Masser’s testimony that Paterno was fired solely for public relations reasons. If Paterno was not removed for anything he had or had not done, as affirmed under oath by Mr. Masser, he was not removed for failure of leadership. This proves unequivocally that Mr. Masser and his colleagues not only scapegoated Paterno in 2011, they then fabricated a dishonest and defamatory excuse in March 2012 to cover up their bad decision. This means every Trustee involved—and many of them are still on the Board, including Keith Masser, Keith Eckel, and Paul Silvis—lied to and on behalf of the Pennsylvania State University. This, along with gross disregard for the Board’s Standing Orders, dereliction of fiduciary duty to challenge the Freeh Report (as opined by the Commonwealth Court on 4/09/2014), subordination of the University’s well-being to personal agendas, and of course a racial slur by a Business & Industry Trustee, underscore the need for a massive overhaul of the manner in which the University is governed.


If you would like detailed information to support the legislation, please let me know, and I will be happy to provide it.


William A. Levinson, B.S. ‘78

 

[bjf1984]

UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 800: The Senate is currently in recess, but will soon be returning to work on the budget impass. Meanwhile Senate Bill 800, to reform Penn State's BoT, is still in the House Government Committee. The Committee Chair, Senator Mike Folmer, needs to hear from Nittany Nation, our friends and our families to encourage him to bring this bill up for a vote in his committee. Folmer represents Lebanon and Dauphin Counties, so supporters there, in his home district, are VERY important. Here is Folmer's contact info: Harrisburg: 337 Main Capitol, 717-787-5708; 400 South 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042, 717-274-6735. email is : mfolmer "at" pasen.gov


Here is what I just sent:

Dear Senator Folmer,

cc: Senators Yudichak and Dinniman, Penn State Trustees, Penn State alumni networking


I agree with State Senator Yudichak’s legislation to reorganize the highly dysfunctional Penn State Board of Trustees. State Senator Dinniman pointed out, in fact, that the Business & Industry Trustees whose mishandling of the Sandusky scandal caused so much harm to the University are “serving” in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth. They are supposed to be appointed by state professional and industrial societies, but they changed the selection procedure (without authorization from the Legislature) so they could appoint themselves. The Board’s contempt for the Legislature is underscored by the fact that President Barron’s assistant, Michael DiRaimo, apparently lied to the Legislature about the Board’s position—it has none, having not voted to adopt one—on Senator Yudichak’s legislation. This unauthorized communication was tolerated by President Barron and the Board, and it is far more likely than not that one or more Board members directed Mr. DiRaimo in this manner.


The sworn depositions of Board Chairman Keith Masser and Trustee Kenneth Frazier in the Corman-NCAA lawsuit prove, meanwhile, that the Board not only scapegoated Coach Joe Paterno in November 2011, but then lied about the circumstances of his dismissal in March 2012. The issue is not Joe Paterno; somebody who scapegoats any employee, even one who pushes a broom, is not fit for any position of supervisory responsibility whatsoever. In addition, of course, lying to and on behalf of the organization to which one owes a fiduciary responsibility also disqualifies that person from any position of trust.


Former Board Chairwoman Karen Peetz (Business & Industry) violated the Board’s Standing Orders when she recklessly and without any evidence of due diligence affirmed the Freeh Report’s findings of guilt on Penn State’s behalf. The NCAA used this as an excuse to impose its sanctions, which cost the Commonwealth’s taxpayers as well as Penn State’s students upward of $60 million. Peetz then failed to inform the NCAA that the Board had not, in fact, voted to affirm the Freeh Report; she preferred to cover up her own misconduct despite the enormous damage to Penn State.


Former President Rodney Erickson accepted the sanctions on Penn State’s behalf without the approval of the Board, and apparently without even the knowledge of many Board members. The Board, as then constituted, tolerated Erickson’s circumvention of the Board’s responsibility and authority. (A few Trustees took exception, but the majority as then led by Chairwoman Peetz, and later Chairman Masser, prevented any action from being taken.)


Kenneth Frazier, another Business & Industry Trustee, was not merely a party to the falsehood told by the Board in March 2012. In March 2013, he used a racial slur—“people that look like you who think the O.J. Simpson verdict was correct”—during a public Board meeting in response to an alumnus who challenged the Freeh Report. An audio of the racial slur in question is available online. It’s the first item that comes up in a Google search on "Kenneth Frazier" and "that look like you."


Here, by the way, is proof that every single Board member as of March 2012, including ex officio Trustee Rodney Erickson, lied to and on behalf of the Penn State community about the circumstances of Coach Paterno’s dismissal.


Board statement of March 2012

"While Coach Paterno did his legal duty by reporting that information the next day, Sunday, March 3, to his immediate superior, the then Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley, the Board reasonably inferred that he did not call police. We determined that his decision to do his minimum legal duty and not to do more to follow up constituted a failure of leadership by Coach Paterno. …At about 9 pm, we unanimously made the difficult decision that Coach Paterno’s failure of leadership required his removal as football coach."


Note that the Board used “failure of leadership” twice. Please compare this to what Mr. Masser had to say later when under oath:


“The decision to remove Coach Paterno had nothing to do with what he had known, what he hadn’t done. It was based upon the distraction of having him on the sidelines would have caused the university and the current football team harm. It had nothing to do with what Coach Paterno had done, or hadn’t done.”


Kenneth Frazier’s deposition, while less explicit, supports Masser’s testimony that Paterno was fired solely for public relations reasons. If Paterno was not removed for anything he had or had not done, as affirmed under oath by Mr. Masser, he was not removed for failure of leadership. This proves unequivocally that Mr. Masser and his colleagues not only scapegoated Paterno in 2011, they then fabricated a dishonest and defamatory excuse in March 2012 to cover up their bad decision. This means every Trustee involved—and many of them are still on the Board, including Keith Masser, Keith Eckel, and Paul Silvis—lied to and on behalf of the Pennsylvania State University. This, along with gross disregard for the Board’s Standing Orders, dereliction of fiduciary duty to challenge the Freeh Report (as opined by the Commonwealth Court on 4/09/2014), subordination of the University’s well-being to personal agendas, and of course a racial slur by a Business & Industry Trustee, underscore the need for a massive overhaul of the manner in which the University is governed.


If you would like detailed information to support the legislation, please let me know, and I will be happy to provide it.


William A. Levinson, B.S. ‘78

THIS^^^^

VERY important.

Folmer is one of only 19 Senators who DID NOT so-sponsor the Bill
(link here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS...d=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0800&pn=0969)

He has not been supportive. Folks (especially in his home district) need to let their feelings be known.

Folmer does not come up for re-election until 2018.....but he needs to be reminded that Penn Staters have long memories with regard to those who would ally with the OG Scoundrels.

If he does not acquiesce, and allow this Bill to move out of committee....it really increases the difficulty of the process.

Call, write, stop into his office (if you can).

It is up to us.

 

[psengr82]

The letter doesn't need to be very long. I wrote the following to Senator Vance:

"Senator Vance, I'm writing to ask for your support of Senate Bill 800 calling for the reform of the Board of Trustees for Penn State University. This bill is very important to me and virtually every Penn State Alumni. Thanks,"

She got back with a very nice note to me.

 

[psu00]

UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 800: The Senate is currently in recess, but will soon be returning to work on the budget impass. Meanwhile Senate Bill 800, to reform Penn State's BoT, is still in the House Government Committee. The Committee Chair, Senator Mike Folmer, needs to hear from Nittany Nation, our friends and our families to encourage him to bring this bill up for a vote in his committee. Folmer represents Lebanon and Dauphin Counties, so supporters there, in his home district, are VERY important. Here is Folmer's contact info: Harrisburg: 337 Main Capitol, 717-787-5708; 400 South 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042, 717-274-6735. email is : mfolmer "at" pasen.gov


Here is what I just sent:

Dear Senator Folmer,

cc: Senators Yudichak and Dinniman, Penn State Trustees, Penn State alumni networking


I agree with State Senator Yudichak’s legislation to reorganize the highly dysfunctional Penn State Board of Trustees. State Senator Dinniman pointed out, in fact, that the Business & Industry Trustees whose mishandling of the Sandusky scandal caused so much harm to the University are “serving” in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth. They are supposed to be appointed by state professional and industrial societies, but they changed the selection procedure (without authorization from the Legislature) so they could appoint themselves. The Board’s contempt for the Legislature is underscored by the fact that President Barron’s assistant, Michael DiRaimo, apparently lied to the Legislature about the Board’s position—it has none, having not voted to adopt one—on Senator Yudichak’s legislation. This unauthorized communication was tolerated by President Barron and the Board, and it is far more likely than not that one or more Board members directed Mr. DiRaimo in this manner.


The sworn depositions of Board Chairman Keith Masser and Trustee Kenneth Frazier in the Corman-NCAA lawsuit prove, meanwhile, that the Board not only scapegoated Coach Joe Paterno in November 2011, but then lied about the circumstances of his dismissal in March 2012. The issue is not Joe Paterno; somebody who scapegoats any employee, even one who pushes a broom, is not fit for any position of supervisory responsibility whatsoever. In addition, of course, lying to and on behalf of the organization to which one owes a fiduciary responsibility also disqualifies that person from any position of trust.


Former Board Chairwoman Karen Peetz (Business & Industry) violated the Board’s Standing Orders when she recklessly and without any evidence of due diligence affirmed the Freeh Report’s findings of guilt on Penn State’s behalf. The NCAA used this as an excuse to impose its sanctions, which cost the Commonwealth’s taxpayers as well as Penn State’s students upward of $60 million. Peetz then failed to inform the NCAA that the Board had not, in fact, voted to affirm the Freeh Report; she preferred to cover up her own misconduct despite the enormous damage to Penn State.


Former President Rodney Erickson accepted the sanctions on Penn State’s behalf without the approval of the Board, and apparently without even the knowledge of many Board members. The Board, as then constituted, tolerated Erickson’s circumvention of the Board’s responsibility and authority. (A few Trustees took exception, but the majority as then led by Chairwoman Peetz, and later Chairman Masser, prevented any action from being taken.)


Kenneth Frazier, another Business & Industry Trustee, was not merely a party to the falsehood told by the Board in March 2012. In March 2013, he used a racial slur—“people that look like you who think the O.J. Simpson verdict was correct”—during a public Board meeting in response to an alumnus who challenged the Freeh Report. An audio of the racial slur in question is available online. It’s the first item that comes up in a Google search on "Kenneth Frazier" and "that look like you."


Here, by the way, is proof that every single Board member as of March 2012, including ex officio Trustee Rodney Erickson, lied to and on behalf of the Penn State community about the circumstances of Coach Paterno’s dismissal.


Board statement of March 2012

"While Coach Paterno did his legal duty by reporting that information the next day, Sunday, March 3, to his immediate superior, the then Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley, the Board reasonably inferred that he did not call police. We determined that his decision to do his minimum legal duty and not to do more to follow up constituted a failure of leadership by Coach Paterno. …At about 9 pm, we unanimously made the difficult decision that Coach Paterno’s failure of leadership required his removal as football coach."


Note that the Board used “failure of leadership” twice. Please compare this to what Mr. Masser had to say later when under oath:


“The decision to remove Coach Paterno had nothing to do with what he had known, what he hadn’t done. It was based upon the distraction of having him on the sidelines would have caused the university and the current football team harm. It had nothing to do with what Coach Paterno had done, or hadn’t done.”


Kenneth Frazier’s deposition, while less explicit, supports Masser’s testimony that Paterno was fired solely for public relations reasons. If Paterno was not removed for anything he had or had not done, as affirmed under oath by Mr. Masser, he was not removed for failure of leadership. This proves unequivocally that Mr. Masser and his colleagues not only scapegoated Paterno in 2011, they then fabricated a dishonest and defamatory excuse in March 2012 to cover up their bad decision. This means every Trustee involved—and many of them are still on the Board, including Keith Masser, Keith Eckel, and Paul Silvis—lied to and on behalf of the Pennsylvania State University. This, along with gross disregard for the Board’s Standing Orders, dereliction of fiduciary duty to challenge the Freeh Report (as opined by the Commonwealth Court on 4/09/2014), subordination of the University’s well-being to personal agendas, and of course a racial slur by a Business & Industry Trustee, underscore the need for a massive overhaul of the manner in which the University is governed.


If you would like detailed information to support the legislation, please let me know, and I will be happy to provide it.


William A. Levinson, B.S. ‘78

Bump. Just do it.

 

[Hartzie]

This is mine:
Senator Fulmer,
I have been a voter in Dauphin County for many years. I was encouraged last year by successful efforts to defeat Tom Corbett based (mainly) on his part in the debacle at Penn State. Look at the performance of other Republicans nationwide if you don't think that had a major impact.
I am writing to implore you to help bring Senator Yudichak's Senate Bill 800 concerning reform of the Board of Trustees of Penn State University up for a vote in your committee. My support of you, as well as many other Penn Stater's, depends on you helping reform our state's Land Grant University.

 

[ForesterGump]

A little FYI about Folmer. He came to office because of single issue voters. People were mad as hell over the pay raise and Folmer was the only person running in the primary against the then Senate Majority leader, Chip Brightbill. They tossed Brightbill out on his ear, and Folmer won by default. Nobody ran against him in the last election. Single issue can put a candidate in office or remove them. The unfortunate part is that vast majority of the electorate is not savvy on the how the BOT works. I think it is equally important to educate the masses on why the bill is important. The BOT is just as arrogant and corrupt as the 2005 Legislature.

 

[SteveMasters]

I called Jay Costa, my Senator, a couple of weeks ago and spoke to a staffer about my support for Senate Bill 800. Senator Costa responded with sending me a letter and stating that he has agreed to be a co-sponsor for SB 800. I will continue my dialogue with Senator Costa and Dan Frankel (my rep) regarding Penn State governance and other issues including the false narratives concerning Penn State, specifically the Freeh Report.