[Kzyxtalk] Correcting John Sakowicz

[doug mckenty]

Jane,

Thank you so much for participating in the KZYXtalk forum.  It has been my
hope from the beginning that as many different voices as possible must be
heard if KZYX will become a more viable institution in service to the many
diverse perspectives that are represented here in Mendocino County.  I was
disappointed when more board members did not participate during last years
election cycle and am hoping this forum will benefit from the views of
persons such as yourself who have a view from inside the daily workings of
the station as the election rolls around again.

I certainly appreciate the work that you and Meg have put forth into the
organizing of this event and believe you have the best intentions for the
station at heart.  I must say, however, that I will not attend as the "us
vs. them" bunker mentality of staff has created too large a rift between
myself and the many other members of my community because of
their apparently unacceptable notion that the programming and operational
philosophy of the station should be transparent and controlled by the
membership.

Staffs insistence on making programming decisions behind closed doors with
ultimate authority in the decision making process causes the station
1-2,000 members from my observations and their NPR centric formulaic
philosophy turns off well over half of all the people I have ever spoken to
about KZYX.  The station may be able to survive on the backs of NPR
supporters but it will never thrive, nor truly achieve its potential as our
communities communication and information source so long as the focus is so
blatantly on the side of NPR promotion at the expense of the many who which
to hear alternative points of view.

Many in our community, especially those formerly associated with KZYX have
felt ostracized after years of watching our favorite programmers leave in
frustration, or get the boot on technicalities, and hearing our please for
some membership involvement in programming decisions fall on deaf ears.

I am afraid that the more I delve into station history I find dozens like
Beth and Ells and Sister Yasmin who want to participate in local radio but
cannot because a staff member does not like them or simply does not respect
their point of view.

I hope the party is a good time for those who attend, but do understand why
many will not.

Doug McKenty

On Monday, September 29, 2014, <nsi at mcn.org> wrote:

> Really, Jane? Your outreach fell short. Where's my invitation? I'm one of
> the founding programmers. As was Sister Yasmin.  Els Cooperrider's show was
> invaluable to the County those years she was on the air. Have you made any
> attempt to contact her? --beth bosk
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From:
> "Jane Futcher" <janefutcher at me.com
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','janefutcher at me.com');>>
>
> To:
> <kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org');>>
> Cc:
>
> Sent:
> Mon, 29 Sep 2014 09:42:26 -0700
> Subject:
> [Kzyxtalk] Correcting John Sakowicz
>
>
> There are many points I'd like to respond to in John Sakowicz's most
> recent assault on KZYX, but let me correct two points he makes that are
> absolutely wrong:
> 1) The KZYX birthday party is NOT a fundraiser. Admission is $5. We kept
> the admission low to be sure everyone who wanted to come was able to afford
> a ticket. Food and microbrews are extra, but we will be lucky to break even
> on the event because of the costs involved.
> 2) Meg Courtney and I, as KZYX board members, are spearheading and
> organizing the event. We both felt deeply that this station milestone was
> too important for our community not to celebrate. The event is far from an
> "ego trip" for John Coate and Mary Aigner. The focus of everyone involved
> in putting on the event is making the 25th birthday a fantastic party that
> honors everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, who has been a programmer, staff,
> board member, volunteer, donor, listener or member over the years.
>
> We hope everyone who cares about the station will join us at the Boonville
> Fairgrounds October 11 to celebrate the station's remarkable creation and
> survival, through thick and thin, for 25 years.
>
> Sincerely,
> Jane Futcher
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