[Kzyxtalk] Ballots, Surveys, and Electioneering

[Dennis OBrien]

Yesterday I received a replacement ballot from Stuart Campbell, the KZYX Election Coordinator.  He had me sign an affidavit stating that I had not received my original ballot, and that I would destroy it if it arrived.  When I asked if others could use this process, he said yes.  So if you haven't received your ballot, please contact Stuart Campbell via email, thales1104 at comcast.net, or call the station.  Ballots must be received at the station by March 31.

I got a call from Ellen Saxe of the Community Advisory Board.  She tells me that, during the last pledge drive, callers were surveyed as to whether or not the CAB's proposal for a monthly News of the Station show with the staff and board was a good idea.  Every caller but one supported it.  However, the current staff and board have not implemented the suggestion, even though it was submitted a year ago.
The General Manager has posted on the KZYX website the Board's response to my complaint that he improperly used his position and the organization's resources to influence the election.  People have been wondering what my complaint was about.  Here is what the General Manager sent to the programmers email list:
"... or Dennis O'Brien who now wants to be on the KZYX Board while being the treasurer of KMEC who has tried to badger us into paying KMEC for years so we would run our studio there.  I have given him plenty of reasons why we don't want to do this, all of which are good enough reasons on their own, but nothing has deterred him from demonizing me for not getting with his suggestion that we help them pay their rent to their landlord, John McCowan."
The Board responded that the programmer list is not the property of KZYX but instead was a public forum (full response at kzyx.org main page).  I respectfully disagree.  Although I have supported everyone's free speech rights, a general manager's use of an in-house email system that is owned by the organization to campaign against a candidate for a board seat deligitimizes any election and reinforces the public perception that the organization is run by a small group that is unresponsive to the membership and the public.  If the General Manager wishes to express himself, there are plenty of truly public forums to use, including this list.

Although I have pledged not to make personal insults or demean anyone's personality, it is proper to discuss actions and their consequences.  The members and the public can form their own opinion.
Last election, only 25% of the members voted.  One of the seats was decided by less than 1%.  Please vote!
Thanks,Dennis O'Brien

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