The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund, is conducting an election this fall to fill two member-at-large seats for representatives on the CalPERS Board of Administration, according to a statement. The board sets policy and oversees the administration of retirement and health benefits as well as oversight and investment of fund assets. Ballots will be mailed to eligible active and retired CalPERS members beginning September 4, 2009. Voted ballots must be returned to CalPERS or postmarked by October 2, and results will be tabulated beginning October 5. The terms of office for the current at-large representatives, Charles P. Valdes and Kurato Shimada, will expire January 15, 2010. The successful candidates will serve a four-year term beginning January 16, 2010, through January 15, 2014, representing active and retired members. Valdes is not running for re-election; Shimada is seeking re-election. Seven candidates in total are competing for the two seats. If no candidate receives a majority vote in the Position A election, a runoff election will be held in November between the two Position A candidates who received the highest number of votes.
Two CalPERS Board Seats Up For Election
The board sets policy and oversees the administration of retirement and health benefits as well as oversight and investment of fund assets.
September 2, 2009
I just received my “Candidate Statement Booklet”. It contains the usual meaningless motherhood statements.
But there are some noteworthy observations, some of the candidates have webpages and email address so that you can contact them. I would encourage everyone to “demand” that the candidates (CALPERS too) have interactive webpages where you can leave questions for the candidates to answer. It is ridiculous in this day and age for candidates not to have webpages and for CALPERS not to offer such a forum. Do not vote for candidates who have failed to provide an interactive webpage.
Also, as voters we should demand that CALPERS use it’s voting clout to “fire” corporate executives that are not performing, such as Immelt at General Electric and Kindler of Pfizer.
With my encouragement, both candidates have now agreed to appear on Jeffrey Callison’s show, Insight, on November 16th. It runs from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., but candidates will probably be on for about 15 or 20 minutes. If you are in the Sacramento area, you’ll be able to listen on KXJZ at 90.9 FM. Elsewhere, listen on the internet at http://www.capradio.org/programs/insight/.
This should be a great show. Callison is a expert at asking questions that get straight to the point. Expect him to help you differentiate between these candidates. I suggest you listen, before casting your run-off ballot.