[Kzyxtalk] Doug McKenty_KZYX candidate statement_2015

[King Collins]

2015 Board Candidate Statement
Doug McKenty – At-Large

My name is Doug McKenty and I am running for the At-Large seat for the Board of Directors of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting.  Some of you may remember me as the host of Open Lines on KZYX for many years (2006-2013) when I had the pleasure of participating in Mendocino County's premier expression of our right to freedom of speech.  I also hosted a public affairs program, "The Thursday Morning Report," from 2009-2012 and proudly served as the programmer's representative to the board of MCPB from the Fall of 2011 thorough the Spring of 2013.  Since leaving the airwaves of KZYX I continued doing interview programs at MendocinoTV.com, where I enjoyed pursuing my work as a journalist covering local, national and international issues.  Currently I am in the process of forming a startup web based production company which will feature my new program, entitled "The Shift," as well as a weekly world-wide version of Open Lines, expanding the conversation to anyone with web access.

Last year I had the opportunity to interview Paul Cienfuegos about his notion of Community Rights.  This began for me a journey into a form of consensus based political action that led to the creation of the Community Rights Network of Mendocino County, the organization that brought Measure S to the ballot in November 2014.  As the host of Open Lines it was my job to listen to the many and diverse perspectives brought to the airwaves by all those who called up to voice their opinion about the topic at hand and then facilitate a conversation in a respectful way in which all perspectives were heard and validated.  As a member of the point committee of the CRNMC it was my job to listen to the desires of the entire membership and help turn those ideas into a functional political action that was accommodating  to all.  Measure S passed with almost 70% of the vote.  Over the years I perceived a need at MCPB to be more inclusive in its operational philosophy.  Many in our community feel frustrated or even ostracized.  My experience in turning listening skills into real action could help heal this rift.  If it is the will of the membership of MCPB I hope to apply these skills, coupled with my unique knowledge of the history and practice of your community radio station, to your Board of Directors.