<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Y' know, I think I can settle this for y'all<div><br></div><div>I hearby relent on All-Joel, All -the-Time</div><div><br></div><div>Though, a little more Waldman c'unt hurt,</div><div><br></div><div>Y'kno wut i mean?</div><div><br></div><div>jc</div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div>On May 19, 2014, at 7:49 AM, Tim Bray wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> <div class="moz-cite-prefix">Seven member committee... decision by consensus... if no consensus, Mary decides. That pretty much spells out why the previous PAC incarnation did not work.<br> <br> I could get behind a proposal for a three-person PAC, whose reviews and recommendations would be public, if we can figure out a good process for selecting them and setting criteria for their work. (From watching the previous committee, I would have to say this is much harder than it seems.) Then the Program Director could still have authority to make the decisions, and the whole process would be more open than at present. Such a PAC would operate largely independently from staff and require as little staff time as possible.<br> <br> Basically what I am hearing is that a number of people simply don't trust the current Program Director to make these decisions. I'm not sure that's fair, but having an independent PAC to introduce some public input might be a way to alleviate that concern.<br> <br> Do you have an alternative to "NPR-haters?" NPR-dislikers just doesn't sound good to me. :) As for preferring different news sources, KZYX runs at least four: DN, Hartmann, PRI, and NPR, plus a little bit of local news (and I know the management is really hoping to expand that). If you are not in favor of eliminating NPR, then what do you propose? Basically we get Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Fresh Air, plus a few shorter weekend shows (Wait Wait, LRC, On the Media). If you want to eliminate one or more of those, let us know which. If not, then why are we discussing it? Did I misunderstand, and it is some other syndicated programming to which you and others object?<br> <br> Now, as to the mix of public affairs vs. music programming: I will provide those numbers, but first, I have to admit to some sensitivity about this. I think music programming is important and makes valuable contributions to our community, and KZYX has some standout music programmers whose contributions are sometimes ignored when the focus is on public-affairs programming. I am doing both, having taken on a monthly production of Ecology Hour, and understand the two types of programs require different kinds of effort, skills, and commitment.<br> <br> Note: This is pasted from an Excel spreadsheet table. Depending on your e-mail reader, and the Listserv settings, the formatting might not work.<br> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;width:144pt" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="192"> <colgroup><col style="width:48pt" span="3" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt" height="20" width="64">hrs/wk</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">2009</td> <td style="width:48pt" align="right" width="64">2014</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl66" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt" height="20" width="64">NPR</td> <td class="xl65">28</td> <td align="right">32.5</td> </tr> <tr style="height:30.0pt" height="40"> <td class="xl66" style="height:30.0pt;width:48pt" height="40" width="64">Other Synd PA</td> <td class="xl65">42.5</td> <td align="right">43.5</td> </tr> <tr style="height:30.0pt" height="40"> <td class="xl66" style="height:30.0pt;width:48pt" height="40" width="64">Synd Music</td> <td class="xl65">3</td> <td align="right">7</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl66" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt" height="20" width="64">Local PA</td> <td class="xl65">17.5</td> <td align="right">12</td> </tr> <tr style="height:30.0pt" height="40"> <td class="xl66" style="height:30.0pt;width:48pt" height="40" width="64">Local Music</td> <td class="xl65">77</td> <td align="right">73</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td class="xl66" style="height:15.0pt;width:48pt" height="20" width="64">Total</td> <td class="xl65">168</td> <td align="right">168</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br> As to the demographics, I don't think it can be disputed that they are changing, though maybe it can be overstated. In any case, I don't think it is realistic to expect that KZYX programming would not change as well. <br> <br> Tim<br> <br> <br> On 5/18/2014 6:45 PM, doug mckenty wrote:<br> </div> <blockquote cite="mid:CAKNFa+K18nSHufkL6Ss+G08GR+2xuMtO-7A1Sy+-7UUwWvf=ug@mail.gmail.com" type="cite">Ok, <div><br> </div> <div>A lot to get around to. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>The construction of the PAC was interesting. One member elected by the board, one by the programmers and one by the community advisory board. These people were to get together with the program director and choose three more according to a matrix of needs. The seven member committee makes programming decisions by consensus, though if consensus is not found the pd gets the last word. Any conflict should be reviewed by the grievance process. I thought it was a good start. My sense of the story is that it started off pretty strong but the air went out of the tires when word came down after John C. became general manager and the decision was made that the consensus of the group was not binding, and the group was only advisory in nature. That interpretation of the documentation won the day and, neutered of any real power, the PAC because redundant because there was already a CAB. That is the story as I have interpreted it from speaking with people who were involved. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>About the NPR question. Tim, will you please stop referring to people who prefer news sources different from NPR as "NPR haters." As one of them, this attitude feels caustic and I am afraid will only work to continue to alienate the large percentage of Mendocino county residents who feel as I do. Also, I want to know why many at the station feel that someone is trying to eliminate NPR. Where is this coming from? Paul Lambert accused me of the same thing, trying to eliminate NPR. Where did he hear it? The only time I ever heard anyone speak publicly about eliminating NPR was Annie Esposito at a board meeting where she advocated eliminating NPR and keeping the news department. She pointed to KMUD as a successful example. Please let me know who these people are who have advocated for this other than Annie, so I can let them know I think it would be a terrible idea.</div> <div><br> </div> <div>Also, though I appreciate your research, could I ask you to take it one step further and remove the programs that are musical in nature. Will you compare the daily dose of locally produced public affairs programs vs. the dose of NPR or other "canned" news sources. I don't think the music programming is a much of an issue here as this communities ability to hear locally produced programs about national and international issues that give us an alternative perspective from NPR. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>One more thing about the demographics issue. I swear I have heard this notion that our radio station can't be "hippie" because too many "yuppies" have moved in, about ten times in the last two weeks. In most instances there was the hint of sadness at the passing of an age. I am forty one years old and my wife and I and all my friends who did not grow up here moved here because we wanted to get back to the land and we wanted to raise our children in one of the most progressive communities in our country. I have not seen indications of yuppie invasion in my community nor any indication that more canned material or NPR has led to many large donations from these people. Conversely, I do think a show about marajuanna might improve our ability to find such donors. I for one hope that the old hippies will not give up...</div> <div><br> </div> <div>Wait, there is more. The PAC is not designed to satisfy everyone, it is designed in part to create a public forum where critical individuals can go to complain. This not only takes the onus off staff, which would alleviate a lot of unnecessary stress, but provides a venue where the complaint can be listened to in a transparent way. I think having the program application review process become transparent would eliminate a lot of the issues that come up. And giving those critical of current policy the opportunity to apply for the committee if they are passionate also gives them the hope that if others agree, real change is possible. The function of the PAC is to neutralize the negative energy of the complainer, not an effort to please everyone. That is impossible. Though most Public radio stations have no such committee and allow the program director control, many Community radio stations, of which KZYX is one, do employ such a committee as they find it helps reduce conflict.</div> <div><br> </div> <div><br> </div> <div>Doug</div> <div><br> </div> <br> </blockquote> <br> <div class="moz-signature">-- <br> <a href="http://oakandthorn.wordpress.com">Oak & Thorn</a><br> Facebook: Oak and Thorn</div> </div> _______________________________________________<br>Kzyxtalk mailing list<br><a href="mailto:Kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org">Kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org</a><br>http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk<br></blockquote></div><br></div></body></html>