<html><body><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000"><div>Dennis,</div><div><br></div><div>This complaint is so nicely done. I hope Doug is considering filing a FCC/CPB complaint, or lawsuit, of his own. </div><div><br></div><div>I hope and pray that in the months ahead, we keep in mind that we are guerrillas. We are the Vietcong. The Vietcong never won a battle, but they won the war. Why? because their enemy -- first the French, then the U.S. -- was big, slow, and stupid, and fighting an illegal, immoral war. The Vietcong were fighting for their homeland. Their homes. They were fighting for the people. Their children. </div><div><br></div><div>And we are in it for the long haul. We are patient, wise, strong.<br></div><div><br></div><div>It's paradigm holds here at KZYX. We are public radio. Not management's private fiefdom.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Management is destroying KZYX. We are fighting to save KZYX.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Power to the People!<br></div><div><br></div><div>John Sakowicz<br></div><div>MCPB Board of Directors (2013-2016), Board Treasurer (2014)<br></div><div>Host and producer, "All About Money"<br></div><div aria-label="Compose body"><br></div><div><br></div><hr id="zwchr"><div style="color:#000;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;" data-mce-style="color: #000; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>From: </b>"Dennis OBrien" <dennisobrien@sharejerusalem.com><br><b>To: </b>"kzyxtalk" <kzyxtalk@lists.mcn.org><br><b>Cc: </b>"Bruce Anderson" <ava@pacific.net>, "K.C. Meadows" <udjkcm@ukiahdj.com>, "Willits News" <editorial@willitsnews.com>, "Ft. Bragg Advocate-News" <advocatenews@mcn.org><br><b>Sent: </b>Wednesday, April 15, 2015 2:21:07 PM<br><b>Subject: </b>KZYX&Z Election Complaint<br><div><br></div><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px" data-mce-style="color: #000; background-color: #fff; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6294"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_5718" class="" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">"Public radio will never achieve its potential so long as policies and procedures are in place that suppress public participation while sanctioning improper influence."</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6297" style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" data-mce-style="font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6296" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" data-mce-style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6319"><br></div><div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6320">I had hoped to resolve these issues locally. But when the board ignores them and instead sanctions the misuse of station resources to influence an election, I am compelled to submit them to those who license and fund the organization. Submitted today electronically, hard-copy will be mailed this week.<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6458" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6466" dir="ltr">Denny</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6457" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6299" class="y_msg_container"><br><div id="yiv1087918466"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6304"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6303" style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:verdana, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;" data-mce-style="color: #000; background-color: #fff; font-family: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><div id="yiv1087918466yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_2623"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6302" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6301" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6300" class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>1201 Parducci Road</span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6317" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6316" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6315" class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Ukiah, CA 95482</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6350" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Peter H Doyle</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6338" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6337" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Chief, Audio Division<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6336" class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>April 15, 2015</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6335" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Media Bureau</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6334" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Federal Communications Commission</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6333" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Washington, D.C. 20554</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6332" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6331" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Honorable Patricia de Stacy Harrison</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">President and Chief Executive Officer</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6446" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Corporation for Public Broadcasting </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">401 Ninth Street, NW </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Washington, DC 20004-2129</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Re:<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Complaint Against Mendocino County Public Broadcasting</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6456" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6455" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">(KZYX 90.7FM Philo, CA; KZYZ 91.5FM Willits & Ukiah, CA; 88.1FM Fort Bragg, CA)</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6447" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Dear Sir/Madam:</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6448" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6352" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6351" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">My name is Dennis O'Brien.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>I am a member of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting, aka KZYX&Z, a membership nonprofit corporation that holds the three full-power FM radio licenses referenced above.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>I am also a losing candidate in the recent election for its board of directors.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>This complaint concerns the conduct of that election and the improper use of station resources by the general manager to campaign against me, all of which was sanctioned by the sitting board of directors. <span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>There is also an addendum concerning the failed role of the Community Advisory Board.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6353" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6354" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Conduct of the Election</span></span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6355" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6357" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6356" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">There are four areas of concern re the conduct of the election: the maintenance of membership rolls, the suppression of the voting membership, suppression of member communication, and the failure to provide ballots to all eligible memberships. </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Maintenance of Membership Rolls</span></span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7303" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6358" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6449" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">I renewed my membership on November 30, 2014.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>In January I received a letter dated January 12, 2015, from Mr. John Coate, who uses the title "General Manager/Executive Director”, asking me to renew my membership.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>For me to get this letter means that there is a failure to properly maintain the membership rolls.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Since the deadline for becoming a member and being eligible to vote in the election was December 31, 2014, the membership rolls should have been fully updated.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Failure to properly maintain the membership rolls invalidates any election that relies on them.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7342" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7305" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Suppression of the Voting Membership</span></span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7304" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6451" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6450" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Although the deadline of becoming a member is December 31 of each year, the membership list is not certified and sent to the vendor for mailing ballots until February 28, a full two months later.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>There is no need to exclude from voting those people who became members in January and February.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Yet this is precisely when interest in the election is at its highest.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Candidates must submit their applications and statements by January 31.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Members and the general public become aware of who is running and what the issues are.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>But it is too late to join or renew and be eligible to vote.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Conversely, prior to December 31, everyone is involved in holiday activities with family and friends, with little or no attention paid to the election.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7317" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7319" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7318" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">MCPB/KZYX&Z should be required to stop suppressing participation in the voting process by allowing anyone who joins/renews by the date of certification of the rolls (i.e., the last day of February) to be eligible to vote in that year's election.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Any earlier date is arbitrary and capricious and serves only one purpose, to suppress participation and voting by the membership and the listening public.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7320" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7328" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7327" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">The timing of the direct mail renewal notice (mid-January) is further evidence of a deliberate intent to reduce the number of eligible voters.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>As is concealing the simple-living membership level of $25 per year.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>An entire class of potential members is disenfranchised by management's refusal to put this information in their outreach letter or on the website.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7334" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6452" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Suppression of Member Communication</span></span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"></span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6454" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6453" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">The California Corporations Code requires a membership nonprofit corporation to provide access to its membership mailing list to any member for purposes related to the corporation, e.g., discussing candidates and issues in an upcoming election (California Corporations Code Section 6330).<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>The corporation is permitted provide a reasonable alternative.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>I and others requested such access.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>However, the only alternative that we were provided was an expensive procedure involving a direct mailing using their vendor, at a cost exceeding $1800.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7335" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7376" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7375" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">There is a far less expensive alternative available: the email list of current members.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>We believe that such a list exists, as member emails have been solicited for years in direct mailings.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Also, anyone joining/renewing online must provide their email list as a mandatory field.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Management has not used the list yet, but has spoken of doing so this summer with an online e-newsletter.</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7389" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7388" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Although there are real concerns about letting any member use the list at any time, use of the list to alert members to alternative viewpoints during an election is the best alternative available to the type of communication required by state law.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7390" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="text-decoration:none;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Failure to Provide Ballots to Eligible Members</span></span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"></span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6378" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7391" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Even if members were sophisticated enough to join or renew by December 31, many did not receive ballots.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>I did not receive mine, and I heard from several others who had not received theirs.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>The election coordinator allowed me to sign an affidavit and receive a substitute ballot, but the procedure was cumbersome and did not work for all.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>In addition, there is no way to track who sent in their ballot, as there is not return address on the return envelopes. Using a separate smaller envelope to hold the actual ballot inside the return envelope would allow such tracking and confirm proper voting, but management will not adopt that procedure.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>At this time there is simply no way to track who has voted, or if someone has voted twice.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6377" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6376" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6375" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">By failing to maintain the membership rolls, suppressing of the voting membership, suppressing member communications, and failing to provide ballots to all eligible memberships, the current board and management have raised doubts about the legitimacy of the organization's elections.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>These policies and procedures must be changed in order to restore the confidence of the members, the public, and those who regulate public radio.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7412" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6374" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7414" style="text-decoration: underline;" data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" class="yiv1087918466"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7413" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Use of Station Resources by Management to Influence Election</span></span><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7415" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6360" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6359" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">On January 14, 2015, I received an email from a current programmer at KZYX&Z.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>The programmer forwarded an excerpt from an email that the General Manager had recently sent to the in-house programmers email list:</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7416" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7418" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7417" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">"... or Dennis O'Brien who now wants to be on the KZYX Board while being the treasurer of KMEC who has tried to badger us into paying KMEC for years so we would run our studio there.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>I have given him plenty of reasons why we don't want to do this, all of which are good enough reasons on their own, but nothing has deterred him from demonizing me for not getting with his suggestion that we help them pay their rent to their landlord, John McCowen."</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7419" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7421" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7420" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">The list was identified as [KZYX Prog].<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>I am told that the list reaches over 100 programmers and staff, or about 20% of the total votes cast in the election.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>In response, I submitted a confidential personnel complaint about the general manager's actions and asked the board to direct him to stop using the station's resources to campaign for or against any candidate.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7422" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7424" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7423" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">In its response, the Board stated that the programmer list is not the property of KZYX but instead was a public forum.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>The board chose to publicize its response (though not my original complaint) on the kzyx.org website.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>The general manager even put it on the main page as part of his ongoing blog:</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7425" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7427" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7426" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">"KZYX Board Policy on the GM Participating in Board Elections</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">John Coate</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7429" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7428" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Posted by John Coate on Monday, 09 March 2015 in Station Business<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span></span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7431" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7430" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">In February the Board determined that as GM I have a right to express my opinion about MCPB Board elections.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Follow this link to the page with the policy.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Or read it right here:</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7432" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7433" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">February 27, 2015</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7434" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7436" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7435" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">In a posting to the programmer listserv made in January, John Coate made a comment about a candidate’s run for the Board. This led to a complaint that John had demeaned the candidate, and had improperly used his position & station resources to influence an election.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7437" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7439" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7438" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Because the complaint related to Board election issues, we followed our policy for resolving complaints about Board elections, to arrive at the policy stated below.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7440" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7442" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7441" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">The Election Coordinator, Stuart Campbell, spoke with all Board members and received their feedback. It is the Board's view that John has a First Amendment right to speak on such issues.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>His written job description that was attached to his 2008 Employment Agreement with MCPB requires him to “support the Board in its ongoing governance work, including recruitment, orientation, training, and evaluation activities.”<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Regarding the overall concept of paid staff being involved in Board development and recruitment, it is common practice in both other non-profits and public radio stations.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Our outreach to others in community radio confirmed this.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Accordingly, including this duty in his job description was in line with accepted practice.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7443" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">John’s duty to help recruit Board members includes his right to express his views on which candidates will best serve the interests of KZYX.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>As for the content of what John said on the listserve regarding the particular candidate who filed the complaint, the Board thinks it was well within the boundaries of normal political speech, which enjoys broad First Amendment protection.</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7445" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7444" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Further, John’s commenting on the programmer listserv is not a misuse of station resources. Staff and programmers who are signed up for the programmer listserv by virtue of their status as programmers have an absolute right to express their point of view in that forum; KZYX<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>does<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>not screen or censor<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>the content. On the other hand, no employee or Board member may use the website, air waves, or MCPB public meetings for campaign purposes; John did not do that.</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7447" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7446" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>For all of these reasons, the Board decided that there would be no personnel action taken against John Coate for expressing his views on Board candidates.</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">At the Board meeting on February 2, 2015 in Ft. Bragg, Stuart Campbell reported the above.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>It will be reflected in the Minutes of the Board meeting.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>It will also be posted on the KZYX website.”</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7449" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7448" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">I respectfully disagree.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>"Recruitment, orientation, training, and evaluation activities" are at best confidential communications with the board, and cannot be an excuse for treetop propaganda.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Although I support everyone's free speech rights, a general manager's use of an in-house email system that is owned by the organization to campaign against a declared candidate for a board seat delegitimizes any election and reinforces the public perception that the organization is run by a small group that is unresponsive to the membership and the public.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>If the general manager wishes to express himself, there are plenty of truly public forums to available, including a discussion list established by a former county supervisor (see KZYXTalk at</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7452" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7451" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"><a id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7450" rel="nofollow" style="" class="yiv1087918466" target="_blank" href="http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk" data-mce-href="http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk" data-mce-style="">http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk</a>).<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7453" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7455" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7454" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">KZYX&Z's website and email systems are paid for from funds that include the grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>It is improper to use such resources to influence an election for the board of directors.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>And it is improper for the board of directors to sanction such use, effectively taking sides in an ongoing campaign while institutionalizing an unfair advantage for those who support the general manager.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>All programmers hold their positions at the pleasure of the general manager, and several have been dismissed for disagreeing with him.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>For him to use the station's resources to tell such a large block of voters how to vote is so serious a violation that delegitimizes any election and discourages the public's participation in public radio.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7456" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7458" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7457" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">I do not know the extent of the remedial powers available to the Federal Communications Commission and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>But I request that you instruct MCPB/KZYX&Z to change its policies and procedures immediately so that 1) membership rolls are properly maintained; 2) all eligible members receive ballots, which can be tracked; 3) voting is not suppressed by an arbitrary registration deadline that is two months too early; 4) voting is not suppressed by concealing the "simple-living" membership option; and 5) board and staff are forbidden from using station resources to influence a board election.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7459" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7461" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7460" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Thank you very much for considering this complaint and request.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Public radio will never achieve its potential so long as policies and procedures are in place that suppress public participation while sanctioning improper influence.</span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Sincerely,</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7471" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7470" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7469" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Dennis O'Brien</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_7463" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yiv1087918466yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_3006" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yiv1087918466yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_3005" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">Addendum to Complaint: MCPB/KZYX&Z has also failed to meet the minimum requirements for a Community Advisory Board, a requirement for funding by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>One of the members of the current CAB has the same residence address as the current chair of the board of directors, thus failing to meet the requirements for independence and geographical diversity.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>In addition, the CAB has had only one public “meeting” the past two years, a telephone conference call over a year ago.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Many people who registered for the call, including myself, were unable to participate.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Those who were able to participate reported that the meeting consisted of presenting a report that the CAB had already prepared for the board of directors.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>That report was submitted to the directors without any of the changes or additions requested by the participants.</span></div><div id="yiv1087918466yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_3090" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN"> </span></div><div id="yiv1087918466yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_3092" class="yiv1087918466" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;" data-mce-style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span id="yiv1087918466yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_3091" class="yiv1087918466" style="font-size:12.0pt;" data-mce-style="font-size: 12.0pt;" lang="EN">In spite of these limitations, the report acknowledged that there was a public perception that the board and management/staff were disengaged from the members and public, and recommended a monthly “News of the Station” program where the board and management/staff would be available to answer questions.<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429131236788_6361" class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>After just one show, even that proposal has been ignored.<span class="yiv1087918466" style="" data-mce-style=""> </span>Without an effective Community Advisory Board, there is no public oversight of the improper activity detailed in the main complaint.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div></div></body></html>