[Kzyxtalk] Implementation of Board Policy

[dennisobrien at sharejerusalem.com]

An Open Letter to the Board of Directors of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting:

As members of MCPB (aka KZYX&Z) we are very concerned that the Board of Directors is either unable or unwilling to implement policies that are already in place, to the detriment of our radio station.  In particular, we believe that the recent decision by the Program Director (supported by the interim General Manager) to eliminate the Safe Harbor from 10pm to 6am is a violation of the Programming Policy.  The action has such a chilling effect on free speech that it represents a major change in policy that can only be made by the Directors.  If the Board is not willing to assert its authority in this and other matters, then the members may need to take matters into their own hands.

The improper restriction of free speech is only one area in which the management of KZYX is acting without the direction and oversight that a board of directors must provide.  The interim GM continues to block a member inspection of financial and membership records that is guaranteed by the California Corporations Code.  The termination of programmers by the PD without good cause, with the full support of the GM, has repeatedly been brought to the attention of the board, yet there has never been a review of the terminations by the Board's Personnel Committee, as required by our Personnel Policy.  And members who join in January and February continue to be denied the right to vote, even though they meet all the requirements for eligibility by the certification date, because the staff is supposedly too busy to update the rolls.

We cannot accept the Board's inaction on these matters.  No one likes lawsuits, and no one wants to act under the threat of a lawsuit.  But if the Board does not take action to remedy these situations at its January meeting, then the members must consider doing so.  Nothing is off the table when the survival of our public community radio station is at stake.

Please give implementation of policy your highest priority.  Please make a willingness to enthusiastically implement Board policy decisions an essential consideration when choosing a new General Manager.  This Board is in a position to right the wrongs that have become institutionalized in recent years.  But if you do not, then the members reserve the right to do so on our own.

Sincerely,

Norm de Vall
King Collins
Dennis O'Brien