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Muzyn 2018 TVARS Campaign Statement

Please share with others and consider voting for me
The voting period is August 20 - September 5 

The TVARS board recently approved a term limit amendment to the rules by a 4-3 vote which attempts to disqualify me. Please do not let the confusion surrounding this amendment undermine the power of your vote. Please vote for me if you would like me to continue working for you. I am qualified to serve. My nominating petitions, signed by many of you, were accepted before this amendment was approved. The timing and effect of the approval of this amendment clearly demonstrate that:
  • It is an ex post facto attempt to nullify my candidacy and remove me from the board with four votes instead of the legally required five.
  • It is in retaliation for my providing information to the GAO team auditing TVA’s finances which clearly demonstrated the need for additional TVARS funding. TVA made an additional $500 million contribution in 2017 following the release of the GAO report to Congress in March of that same year.
  • It is in retaliation for my asking TVA’s Acting Inspector General on October 28, 2017 to investigate potential conflicts of interest involving TVA management and some TVARS board members. I asked this because of the unusual nature and circumstances surrounding the October 30, 2017 special called meeting. The remaining one year term of the paid selected retiree director was extended an additional year with the deciding vote cast by a lame duck elected director.
  • It is in retaliation for my continuing to push to fund the pension over the next twenty years per the recommendation in the GAO report. On June 15, 2018, this funding amendment was again brought up for a vote. It failed again, but this time it had the support of three board members instead of only two.
A few of my other current projects and past accomplishments:
  • Continuing to increase the visibility of TVARS board actions by sharing information with you at employee and retiree gatherings, through my TVARS blog site at http://tvarsmuzyn.blogspot.com, Facebook, and tvarsmuzyn@gmail.com.
  • Continuing to push for the elimination of conflicts of interest to reduce the likelihood of future 4-3 votes to reduce your 401(k) and pension benefits.
  • Continuing to call for the retiree director to be free of any business relationships with TVA, open TVARS board meetings, and the disqualification of executive TVARS board members who qualify for the SERP.
  • Helping you make an informed decision during the July/August “Voluntary 401(k) Election Opportunity.” See https://tvarsmuzyn.blogspot.com/2018/06/cash-balance-election-window-faqs.html for my list of FAQs.
  • Continuing to provide you with a competitive selection of very low cost funds in the 401(k), including well diversified target date funds as the default selections.  
  • Led opposition to TVA’s initial proposed benefit reductions in 2009 and 2016. The final pension reductions were less severe and the 401(k) contributions were higher than originally proposed.
  • Led the search for an independent TVARS auditor to replace the use of TVA’s.
  • Co-led the successful effort to open the fixed and variable funds to all.

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