<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:16px"><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2297">Editor:</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2388" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2389" dir="ltr">I am writing to respond to Mr. Gordon Black's letter, published in your February 25 edition.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2777" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2701" dir="ltr">Concerning the FCC complaints filed by Mr. John Sakowicz and others: I will never condemn anyone for exercising their right to petition the government for redress of a perceived wrong. Apparently the complaints have some merit, as the FCC has requested additional information. However, when faced with the same situation, I chose to bring the issues to the members rather than file a lawsuit or regulatory complaint. <br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3244" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3246" dir="ltr">Similarly, I cannot condemn anyone for exercising their right of free speech. But I have asked everyone to focus on policies and procedures, actions and their consequences, rather than make personal insults or demean someone's character. Specifically, I have asked that no one make any "third-party hits" on my behalf. I believe that doing so does far more harm than good. Nonviolent communication, sometimes called collaborative communication, is a good model.<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2705" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2702" dir="ltr">Concerning my affiliation with the Mendocino Environmental Center and KMEC 105.1 FM: I have been on the board of directors of the MEC for seven of the past twenty years, gaining much experience in the operation of a membership nonprofit organization that runs a radio station. I am currently not a director, so I have no conflict of interest. Should I be elected to the board of directors of MCPB/KZYX, I will have a fiduciary duty to that organization, placing its interests above all others, including my own. The MEC board has asked me to continue as treasurer, but my duties as such are only clerical. I will not be making any policy decisions or be involved in any confidential discussions.<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3118" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3105" dir="ltr">Concerning MEC - KZYX collaboration: I convened a meeting on this subject in September 2009 (summary below). The use of KMEC's production room as a Ukiah studio for KZYX was discussed. Though there are no legal or technical barriers, there is a question of accessibility (stairs). The management of KZYX chose not to pursue any form of collaboration at that time, and there has been no contact between the organizations since.<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3236" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3235" dir="ltr">In short, I support freedom of speech and the right to petition the government, along with open governance and decentralization of power. I have chosen to address these issues via the board election rather than take legal action. Engaging with the members and the public is not just a means to an
end. It is a principle unto itself, especially for an organization
whose primary function is communication. And if an opportunity arises to collaborate with others to better serve the people of Mendocino County and beyond, I will consider it with great interest. <br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4159" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4158" dir="ltr">Sincerely,</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4157" dir="ltr">Dennis O'Brien</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4627" dir="ltr">Candidate, Board of Directors, Mendocino County Public Broadcasting<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2927" dir="ltr"><br></div><div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15484" style=""><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15483" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15482" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Summary of MEC – KZYX Meeting on Collaboration,
September 23, 2009</span></font></div>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15485" style=""><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4954" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4953" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4956" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4955" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Missions:</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4949" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4948" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4947" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4946" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Mendocino</span></font>
Environmental
Center
– to protect the Earth and to promote peace and social justice; to facilitate
the work of like-minded organizations (from bylaws).<font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15471" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15470" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> Mendocino County Public
Broadcasting (KZYX) – to serve the entire community of Mendocino County by
providing high quality, independent, community and public radio and other
media products and services (from corporate statement of purpose).</span></font>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16556" style=""><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16396" style=""><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4958" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425339350995_4957" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Motivations:</span></font><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16337" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16336" style="font-size:12.0pt;">KZYX - increase
presence in Ukiah; closer to activities & news sources; closer to funding
sources; less travel for Ukiah-based programmers</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16565" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16564" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. MEC - facilitate
good work of others; maximize use of building; earn some money; learning that
will benefit KMEC</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16337" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16336" style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16389" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16388" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. Both - collaboration inherently good; reach larger community; increase membership
base; need for community news, fill void of declining print media</span></font>
</div><div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15510" style=""><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Fears:</span></font><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4338" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4337" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">That KZYX will take
over KMEC. That the MEC/KMEC will
compete with KZYX for members, funding</span></font>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16407" style=""><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4363" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_4362" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Scope of Proposals:</span></font><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3569" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3568" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Use of upstairs
production studio (after main studio moved downstairs). Co-produce and simulcast programs from main studio</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16378" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16377" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. Use of Center for KZYX
receptions, other functions</span></font>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16380" style=""><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Requirements:</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16400" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16399" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> High-quality
transmission line from Ukiah to Philo (cost: $150 per month)</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3574" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3573" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. KZYX must retain
control over simulcasts to insure quality & reliability, and to meet all
non-profit and FCC requirements (more stringent than for MEC/KMEC)</span></font>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16339" style=""><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3613" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3612" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Concerns:</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3600" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3599" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> KZYX management needs
to maintain face-to-face connection with their programmers to insure
ready-to-go (trained), on time, reliable; their volunteers have limited
training and responsibilities</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3069" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3068" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. Philo studio has more
resources, including music library.</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16593" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16592" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> Moving Willits studio
to Ukiah not an option (too great a need there plus significant investments
of time/energy/resources).</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3604" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3603" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> Low-power stations
can’t rebroadcast full-power programs</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3606" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3605" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. Some KZYX members wanted
a “semi-autonomous” governance of Ukiah studio, but non-profit laws and FCC
rules require that MCPB board retain control.</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3604" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3603" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></font>
<div class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16403" style=""><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3625"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3611" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3610" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"><br></span></font></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3626"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3611" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3610" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Costs:</span></font><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3608" class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3607" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> It costs $40,000 per
month to operate KZYX, with decreasing memberships, grants; it costs $1,000 to operate the entire
Mendocino
Environmental
Center,
including KMEC, mainly due to all-volunteers and no NPR</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16405" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16404" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. KZYX raised $5,000 to
be dedicated to a Ukiah studio</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16329" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_16328" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. If the MEC charges KZYX
the minimum underwriting amount ($20 per month for every hour per week), then
KZYX could broadcast 10 hours per week from Ukiah for $350 per month ($200
rental, $150 transmission line), or $4,200 per year.</span></font>
</div></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_3066" class="" style=""><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> </span></font></div><font class="" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Other:</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15513" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15512" style="font-size:12.0pt;"> Any agreement should
have a written framework of co-operation, MOU</span></font><font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15516" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15515" style="font-size:12.0pt;">. We should move ahead
with strategic planning despite funding challenges. </span></font>Combined programmer
meeting? <span class="" id="yiv9906736169lw_1374281188_0" style="">Saturday Afternoon</span> Club?<font class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15519" style="" size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span class="" id="yiv9906736169yui_3_16_0_1_1421279080296_15518" style="font-size:12.0pt;"></span></font><div style="" class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1425338143123_2928" dir="ltr"><br style="" class=""></div></div></body></html>