[Kzyxtalk] on dictators, goons, sycophants, stuffed shirts and cheerleaders, and cheering mobs

Mon Jun 22 20:40:28 PDT 2015

Mr. Steffen's bruised ego not the issue. The issue is a failing station. The station is beset by serious legal troubles with the FCC, CPB, and soon the California Secretary of State. Declining membership numbers are another major problem. Also, declining revenues. Pledge drives fall short of goals. 

The answer is to fire staff and start all over again with a new business model for KZYX. The Sean Donovan model of 25-years ago is broken. 

How to save ourselves? 

Think about the five-point program for meaningful and lasting change found below. 

One. Start with firing all staff and replacing them with one full-time really talented chief engineer who will bring our equipment and technology up to standard. Pay all other staff on a hourly basis for hours actually worked. Certainly eliminate the program director position -- it's completely superfluous. 

Two. Likewise eliminate the executive director position. 

Three. Move the main studio to Ukiah. 

Four. Involve membership with a station-sponsored listserv for members and an online newsletter that members themselves write. 

Five. Further involve membership by recruiting and empowering a robust Program Advisory Committee (PAC) and a Community Advisory Board (CAB). Members through the PAC should be making all program decisions. The board should be making all personnel decisions. Policy should be suggested by the CAB and decided by the board. 

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

From: "David" <uw at kzyx.org> 
To: "Kelly Grimes" <grimie at mcn.org>, "kzyxtalk" <kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org> 
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 3:59:34 PM 
Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] on dictators, goons, sycophants, stuffed shirts and cheerleaders, and cheering mobs 

I find the arguments accepting and/or justifying a board member’s personal attacks and hate speech disingenuous at best. This is not about free speech. The board member’s level of frustration does not justify his personal attacks. Do something about the counter-productive, abusive, and hate-filled attacks, and perhaps a dialogue can begin. But until and unless the board member apologizes and agrees to engage in civil discourse both publicly and privately, there is nothing to talk about. And he should be held accountable by resigning from the board. Even Mr. O’Brien stated that “Nonviolent communication tells us to focus on such policies rather than demeaning personalities.” 

Let’s review this week’s lexicon: 

Dictators 

Goons 

Sycophants 

stuffed shirts 

cheerleaders 

cheering mobs 

fat little clown 

Hitler 

Stalin 

Amin 

dictatorship. 

fixes elections 

purges critics 

mindless 

His language is not appropriate nor is it civil. It’s unnecessary and untrue. As was once said about American politics, this is the politics of personal destruction. The board member needs to resign his seat on the board. Then he can go and say what he wishes (under the guise of free speech) without continuing the destruction of KZYX. 

David 

David Steffen 

KZYX Business Development 

(707) 895-2324 office 

(707) 322-9895 cell 

(707) 895-2451 fax 

From: Kelly Grimes [mailto:grimie at mcn.org] 
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 2:46 PM 
To: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org; uw at kzyx.org 
Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] on dictators, goons, sycophants, stuffed shirts and cheerleaders, and cheering mobs 

Hello David Steffen, 
It is obviously unfortunate and counterproductive when people resort to personal attacks when discussing hotly debated topics such as the inner working of KZYX & Z. It is also obvious that Mr. Sakowitz's level of frustration has risen to a level which has made his diatribes somewhat counter-productive to his own cause. With that said, I believe that one of Mr. Sakowitz's complaints is the lack of accountability and job performance evaluations. 
So, in an effort to find the truth, would you be so kind as to help the members understand how the underwriting has not increased at all since you made the following statement at the December 9, 2008 board meeting. 

I wanted to give the board an update. We have 122 underwriters active in 2008, with 45 
on air in the third quarter of the year. We have met our goal this year. Hope to expand by 
$25k each year in future up to $250k. It has taken a while to get all the information 
digested so I can use it for planning purposes and for presentations. 

The underwriting revenue for 2014 is very close to what it was in 2008. Can you explain? 
I appreciate any light that you can shed on the situation. Thank you for your time. 

Respectfully, 
Kelly Grimes 

On 6/22/2015 12:51 PM, David wrote: 

You know John, I wondered how long it would be before you introduced Hitler into the conversation. And Idi Amin? Uncle Joe? Three who murdered millions. Germany, Poland, France, et al, Uganda, and the USSR. And then there’s KZYX. 

You’ve continued to prefer to personally attack with vitriolic public written language and simultaneously attempt to maintain your “Hey Buddy, can we talk” persona in one-on-one situations. You seem to find it difficult to face someone and say these things to their face but have no trouble using this reprehensible language in emails. You should read some Samuel Johnson. 

David 

David Steffen 

KZYX Business Development 

(707) 895-2324 office 

(707) 322-9895 cell 

(707) 895-2451 fax 

From: kzyxtalk-bounces at lists.mcn.org [ mailto:kzyxtalk-bounces at lists.mcn.org ] On Behalf Of sako4 at comcast.net 
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 5:10 PM 
To: kzyxtalk 
Subject: [Kzyxtalk] on dictators, goons, sycophants, stuffed shirts and cheerleaders, and cheering mobs 

Bottom line? Steffen doesn't earn his salary. His job description is to sell underwriting -- but Steffen falls far short. So why does Coate keep keep this fat little clown? 

Why, indeed? 

Let me explain it this way: Whether you're talking about Hitler's Germany, or Stalin's Russia, or Idi Amin's Uganda, or John Coate's KZYX, the psychodynamics of a dictatorship are pretty simple. 

The "dictator", of course, is Coate -- he has centrist, top-down, autocratic management style; he is reclusive (nobody knows Coate outside of the Anderson Valley); he manages by manipulation, lies, and intimidation; he is not a real leader, only pretends to be a leader; he fixes elections; he purges what he can't fix or people he can't fool; he purges critics; and purges even those who dare to raise questions. 

Like any dictator, Coate also works hard at the "cult of personality". Was Coate a financial wizard who saved the station? Of course not! For his first two years, Coate drove the station deeper into debt, then he balanced the books only by eliminating the news department and firing three people. 

The "goons" and "sycophants" are well-represent by Mary Aigner and David Steffen. 

Hitler had his NSDAP, Stalin had his Politburo, and Coate has the MCPB Board -- "stuffed shirts and cheerleaders", they have no real power; they are laughable, pitiful; they rubber stamp everything Coate puts before them. 

And the "mindless, cheering mobs"? They are the station's 70-80 programmers, of course, who are so afraid of losing their shows, they'll do anything. 

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

From: "nsi" <nsi at mcn.org> 
To: "David" < uw at kzyx.org >, "Liz Helenchild" <deejayliz at yahoo.com> , "kzyxtalk" < kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org > 
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 3:01:03 PM 
Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] verifying memories & deadlines 

Liz! He's a pompous pig. Why are you even bothering getting through? There is a good reason for clean sweeps. You don't have to deal with this kind of left over clutter. 
The only reason David Steffen is still at the station is because he had Coate's back. As a so-called whatever he's supposed to be doing, he's useless. --beth bosk 

<blockquote>

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

From: 

"David" < uw at kzyx.org > 

To: 

"Liz Helenchild" <deejayliz at yahoo.com> , "Kzyxtalk" < kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org > 

Cc: 

Sent: 

Sat, 20 Jun 2015 14:52:38 -0700 

Subject: 

Re: [Kzyxtalk] verifying memories & deadlines 

The idea of a drop-down menu, with clearly labeled divisions seems, at least on the surface, to be easily understood by most people using the web in 2015. 

David 

David Steffen 

KZYX Business Development 

(707) 895-2324 office 

(707) 322-9895 cell 

(707) 895-2451 fax 

From: Liz Helenchild [ mailto:deejayliz at yahoo.com ] 
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 1:42 PM 
To: David; Kzyxtalk 
Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] verifying memories & deadlines 

Thanks, David, 

I look forward to the website being more user friendly ie more direct/less like a scavenger hunt. 

What may be familiar to you may not be obvious to others in search of information. 

If the inner workings of the station were more easily accessible, there might be fewer pleas for transparency. 

Isn't he job of media s'posed to be Communication? 

Liz 

From: David < uw at kzyx.org > 
To: 'Liz Helenchild' <deejayliz at yahoo.com> ; kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
Cc: 'Stuart Campbell' <thales1104 at comcast.net> 
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 1:28 PM 
Subject: RE: [Kzyxtalk] verifying memories & deadlines 

Minutes have been on the web for years. Go through at your leisure. On the KZYX website one only has to explore “About”, look under “Station Business”, and click on “Minutes”. As with all of the other ongoing incorrect suggestions that there is a lack of transparency, one can find 7 years of minutes posted by the General Manager and the board. 

David 

David Steffen 

KZYX Business Development 

(707) 895-2324 office 

(707) 322-9895 cell 

(707) 895-2451 fax 

From: kzyxtalk-bounces at lists.mcn.org [ mailto:kzyxtalk-bounces at lists.mcn.org ] On Behalf Of Liz Helenchild 
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 10:30 AM 
To: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
Cc: Stuart Campbell 
Subject: [Kzyxtalk] verifying memories & deadlines 

In the service of winnowing out accuracy from hearsay, would it be possible to find & cite minutes (or video or audio recordings) of past board meetings? 

Is the application period for GM now closed? 

Liz 

From: Doug McKenty <dougmck at gmail.com> 
To: " kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org " < kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org > 
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 10:13 AM 
Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] new GM and? executive director? 

Thanks for the clarification. My source for the information was someone one the hiring committee, but memories can be faulty. 

I am not aware of any other "falsehoods" that I have circulated but am aware that occasionally my sources may be inaccurate. If there are any other areas where my sourced material differs from yours, I am always interested in comparing them, so that myself and the community can get as close to a realistic interpretation of the truth as possible. In this way we all make better choices. 

I would like to thank Norman DeValle for setting up this listserve allowing the type of open and transparent communication necessary for this process, and hope someday to hear his voice back on the air at KZYX. 

Sent from my iPhone 

> On Jun 20, 2015, at 7:59 AM, David < uw at kzyx.org > wrote: 
> 
> Doug. 
> 
> Can we please once and for all dispense with the lie that John Coate 
> "insisted that he be called Executive Director"? 
> 
> The 2008 job posting, which has been sent around on this thread for all to 
> see (including a post by one of the current board members) clearly stated 
> that ED was what they were looking for. 
> 
> Stop circulating another falsehood. 
> 
> David 
> 
> 
> 
> "KZYX&Z Community Public Radio in Philo , CA , is seeking a creative 
> non-profit professional to become Executive Director/General Manager of 
> Mendocino County Public Broadcasting. 
> 
> KZYX&Z is a full service station offering national programming from NPR, 
> Pacifica , APM, and PRI, as well as diverse local programming produced by 
> more than 120 volunteers. As KZYX&Z celebrates its 19th birthday, we are 
> looking for an energetic, focused leader with fundraising and management 
> skills to help us achieve a new level of service for our community, members, 
> and volunteers with our upcoming digital conversion. 
> 
> The successful candidate is preferably one with a public broadcasting 
> background and strong planning skills. The candidate will be able to 
> demonstrate a track record of effective internal leadership; skill in 
> building relationships with organizations and individuals; and a history of 
> effective fund raising. The candidate must be an exceptional communicator, 
> technologically literate, and capable of overseeing and ensuring proper 
> compliance with the financial, legal and regulatory requirements of 
> operating a public broadcasting station. The position requires an 
> understanding of the difference between community and public radio as KZYX&Z 
> is hybrid of both models. 
> 
> Find the full job description online in the careers section at 
> http://kzyx.org. 
> 
> 
> Send resume, references, and cover letter by June 15th to: 
> 
> jobs at kzyx.org 
> 
> or 
> 
> KZYX&Z 
> Attn: Search Committee 
> 
PO Box 1 

> Philo, CA 95466" 
> 
> 
> 
> David Steffen 
> KZYX Business Development 
> (707) 895-2324 office 
> (707) 322-9895 cell 
> (707) 895-2451 fax 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: kzyxtalk-bounces at lists.mcn.org [mailto: kzyxtalk-bounces at lists.mcn.org ] 
> On Behalf Of Doug McKenty 
> Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 11:37 AM 
> To: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
> Subject: Re: [Kzyxtalk] new GM and? executive director? 
> 
> I believe the board is going to set up a hiring committee to oversee the 
> process. They are required by law to publicly post the job opening as part 
> of the process. 
> 
> John Coate, to the best of my knowledge, insisted that he be called 
> Executive Director upon his hiring. He also insisted that he have total co 
> tell over the programming. He had an interesting interpretation of the role 
> of the board, basically relegating it to fundraising, while all station 
> operations were the preview of management. Any attempt by the board to set 
> policy or effect programming was considered "micromanaging." Let's hope 
> they find a new anther with a more inclusive philosophy. 
> 
> I, for one, hope they drop the "Executive Director" title altogether. 
> 
> Doug 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone 
> 
>> On Jun 19, 2015, at 10:54 AM, Kelly Grimes < grimie at mcn.org > wrote: 
>> 
>> Good morning, 
>> What is the process for finding a person to replace Mr. Coate, the 
>> general manager? Will that person automatically become the executive 
>> director of MCPB? If the board of directors is responsible for 
>> overseeing the general manager, why is the general manager the head of 
>> the board? This has always seemed a bit odd to me and now appears to be 
>> a good time to discuss the true title and scope of work for Mr. Coate's 
>> replacement. Does anyone have any factual information? 
>> Thanks, 
>> Kelly 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________ 
>> Kzyxtalk mailing list 
>> Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
>> http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> Kzyxtalk mailing list 
> Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
> http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 
> ----- 
> No virus found in this message. 
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
> Version: 2014.0.4800 / Virus Database: 4311/9983 - Release Date: 06/09/15 
> Internal Virus Database is out of date. 

> 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> Kzyxtalk mailing list 
> Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
> http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 

_______________________________________________ 
Kzyxtalk mailing list 
Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 

No virus found in this message. 
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 2014.0.4800 / Virus Database: 4311/9983 - Release Date: 06/09/15 
Internal Virus Database is out of date. 

_______________________________________________ 
Kzyxtalk mailing list 
Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 

No virus found in this message. 
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 2014.0.4800 / Virus Database: 4365/10077 - Release Date: 06/22/15 

_______________________________________________ 
Kzyxtalk mailing list 
Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 

</blockquote>

No virus found in this message. 
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 2014.0.4800 / Virus Database: 4365/10077 - Release Date: 06/22/15 

_______________________________________________ 
Kzyxtalk mailing list 
Kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
http://lists.mcn.org/mailman/listinfo/kzyxtalk 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.mcn.org/pipermail/kzyxtalk/attachments/20150623/f9263193/attachment-0001.html 