[Kzyxtalk] Non-Problems at our station

[Rick]

Pretty much what I figured Tim. Imagine that; dissension at KZYX?! I'm used to hearing that. What I don't really like is the petulant letters to the FCC and the threat of lawsuits to fight personal vendettas, costing all of us hard earned money. 


I do think the discussion forum is a good idea though. Entertaining at least. In the end I think it will all result in a lot of sturm and drang and not much else. 


Cheers, 
Rick 

----- Original Message -----

Hi Rick, 

Basically, the answer to your question is no - there really isn't merit to the attacks on station management. A few people are really wound up about some of the decisions John Coate made, they don't like his management style, and a number of people are permanently mad at Mary Aigner. The only reason this would matter to a listener is if you felt the changes that have been made resulted in less quality listening. If you feel, as I do, that the quality of our programming has actually improved (even if more slowly than I'd like), then you have to credit management with having done a good job. Navigating the financial crisis was no small feat; there were times when the station's ability to remain on the air was seriously in doubt. 

Most of the complaints arise from a few causes: (1) Christina Aanestad's termination; (2) Doug McKenty's suspension (and his show); (3) perennial gadflies who want a completely different kind of station (King Collins et al); (4) pure out-and-out wackos like John Sakowicz (before him it was Sister Yasmin, and before her it was someone else...) People get all worked up over these things, because that's what we do here, and because they resent not having the power to control such decisions. Small-pond power-politics. 

So the show will go on, unless the monkey-wrenchers find a way to stop it. The FCC is going to renew the license, no worries about that. Threats of legal action are more serious, because they will soak up money, of which the station does not have a surplus, and management time, which is already insufficient for the work that needs to be done. 

I'm glad to hear that you enjoy listening to the station and help out with the Pledge Drives. Maybe I'll see you around soon. 

Cheers, 
Tim 


On 2/13/2014 8:37 PM, Rick wrote: 



I have no dog in this fight other than that I have always loved KZYX. I have volunteered to do the phones for a few fund-drives, I am acquainted with a few people who do radio shows, my dealings with station management have always been cordial, but otherwise I am just a listener and not involved intimately with the station. An outsider. 


As a station supporter, what I am trying to figure out is this: Do these complaints have merit or not? So far what I hear is: Lots of angst and teeth knashing, personal attacks against management, general attacks at the board, scary accusations (really John, terrorists taking control of an unmanned station?.. Seems a bit of a stretch to me. Who knows, maybe they would have some better programming ideas. Tune into "Jihadists Today": 10:00 - Noon. Every other Friday except during Ramadan.), accusations of foul body odor in fellow workers and pretty much you name it. 


What I'm trying to figure out is if there is any fire in all this smoke. Is there any merit to these accusations? Unfortunately, this is probably going to be a one sided discussion because management isn't going to join this discussion. A Pity. I am also disturbed that disgruntled people are firing off letters to the FCC. Getting the license pulled seems to me to be a lose - lose situation for everybody. Why call in the Fed to air our dirty laundry? Moral victory perhaps for somebody, but a loss to just regular, rural listeners like me who rely on the station for entertainment and a news source in emergencies. 


Us out here in the sticks don't really care if people at the station are overbearing or have bad body odor, we just want the show to go on. Has it really gotten so bad that the show can't go on? Is there merit here? 


Rick 
Little River 






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