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Meet the New Interim KPFT LAB
Table of New Interim KPFT LAB (updated 11/15, 12:30am)

Election night photos, click here

Full details on the election process, click here

Duane Bradley's Statement:

My interest in participating on an interim KPFT Local Advisory Board stems from a long-time belief in and commitment to the original mission of the Pacifica Foundation.

I feel that KPFT and Pacifica in general have, in the past several years, ignored this mission in pursuit of more ratings and revenue. This has been accomplished at the expense of dismissing many of KPFT's formerly-served communities, including practically every non-Anglo racial group and any socio-economic group falling outside the desirable fund-raising parameters set by Pacifica's audience-building gurus. This does not serve the mission of Pacifica and KPFT.

It should be the role of a LAB to advise and consult with station management and Pacifica national on matters pertaining to serving the community and fulfilling the mission of being a voice for the voiceless in each community.

The local LAB should have advice and consent over hiring management as well as annually reviewing management and programming goals for each station.

The local LAB should have a direct connection to the Pacifica National Board through the process of selecting several of its members to the PNB, as was the system prior to the by-laws changes forced through in early 1999.
My commitment is to help bring KPFT and Pacifica back into alignment with its mission. (tables)

 Margaret Davis' Statement:

I have become growingly aware of corporate influence in the media. Pacifica may very well be one of the few unbiased media sources left for minority issues and alternative views to be heard.

I believe the Houston Committee For Public Radio’s Guidelines and By-Laws and success in electing an Interim Local Advisory Board along with the continuation of HCPR’s process and procedures will serve as an excellent model toward a successful listener supported Public Radio Service.

As a First Amendment activist in my community, Alvin, TX, I feel it’s vital to our democracy to restore and protect this form of communication. (tables)

 Ben DeSoto's Statement:

On CPB funding: I do think current funding scheme is fine. I would like to see more local issues programming, local news cast and Amy Goodman and Democracy Now return to the air. The current music play is great, too. I would like to see a better balance of the two.

On enforcing the 3-meeting rule: Yes, such public resources need input and feedback to be viable

One LAB Input: local station local voice, local control, a reflection of the community of listeners

On Internet LAB functions: With the use of chat rooms, discussion rooms, bulletin boards, web streaming and such similar tech stuff, I can see a simultaneous meeting with some members meeting in a room face to face and the others logged on.

On Alternative Opinions: Hell, yes. What fear have we from thoughtful opinion? And as such, an open and healthy dialogue with informed and articulate participants is much needed today more than ever.

On active LAB participation: Yes, given my abilities as a newspaper journalist and artist.(tables)

 Carol Holst's Statement:

I am interested in serving on the Interim LAB of Houston Committee for Public Radio for several reasons. For one, I have recently become aware of vicious corporate attacks on American society in several different venues. Our public schools are being taken over by test publishing companies (along with others). Parents have been misinformed about the purpose of these so-called "assessments" for "accountability." Sadly, our schools are being transformed into centers for social control.

  Another issue that is a major concern to me is the breakdown and erasure of first amendment rights. The legend of the "liberal media" is such a blatant lie to the America people, but so many people believe it because it is spread via the corporate dominated information machine to the most accessible magazines and television programs.

  Finally, if corporations are allowed to dominate public radio, what do grassroots people have left? How can they get information other than what The Business Roundtable, Achieve, or other gigantic think tanks want them to have? Our democracy is in grave danger. The only way to save it is for citizens to become involved. I would like to help. (tables)

On the I-LAB's role in Elections: Yes, along with other concerned individuals.

On airing all political views: No, presented only in a debate format.(tables)

As every "healthy station" knows, fund drives, a local advisory board, elections for the local board, station program guides (folios) and open house and outreach efforts are all ways to build community support.

KPFT is not a healthy station, and has forgotten all of these things.

Hopefully, the KPFT Interim LAB can be one force to help the station reconnect with the community, And help KPFT to regain its stride, start producing new and exciting programming and be relevant once again in Houston. (tables)

 Robin Lewis's Statement:

There was an election in Houston on November 6, and yet as far as I know, KPFT ran no analysis of the local issues, no forums for citizen discussion of the ballot, no interviews with the candidates. It seems to me that KPFT has failed utterly in fulfilling its mission with regard to its service to the community, in this regard. I would like to work to remedy this situation.

My interests are in shining a light on the local political scene. KPFT should be a leading beacon in that effort, and if I am chosen to serve on the Interim LAB, I will concentrate not only on the effort to democratize the choosing of the permanent LAB, but also on ways to add local politics to the programming mix at KPFT.

Democracy dies if the citizenry are not informed. Because of its charge from the Pacifica charter, KPFT should be in the forefront of contributing to an informed local citizenry. This is where I will concentrate my efforts. (tables)

MaryAnn Martinez' Statement:

Resume submission for Interim KPFT LAB

OBJECTIVE: FIGHT THE RIGHT

POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS:
Houston Committee for People's Radio
Harris County Democrat Party volunteer
Harris County Democrat Party Rapid Response Team member
League of Women Voters member
League of United Latin American Citizens member

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS:
Believe that all religions share common thread of truth.

EMPLOYER (where I spend most my time):
Unemployment Claims Adjudicator. State of Texas employee serving the citizens of Texas to the best of my ability.

EDUCATION:
B.B.A. Business Administration, University of Texas (School of Mines)
Graduate student pursuing Education Degree, University of Houston

Dear KPFT listeners,
Please consider me as a member for this LAB. I believe I am a good candidate for the following reasons;

1.) I believe in the same ideologies as those of the HCPR.

2.) I believe that media is a powerful force that wields great influence on the masses. For this reason we must save Pacifica which is an outlet for alternative viewpoint.

3.) I believe that educating and informing the public on political and social issues is of the utmost importance.

SUMMARY:
If elected I will do everything in my power to advance the agenda of HCPR. (tables)

Michael Pimental's Statement:

I am a Pacifica activist and a non-commercial music producer. I have participated in the organization of a listeners group in LA as well as the creation of a nationally elected body to formulate the creation of a National Steering Committee for the Free Pacifica movement. I am a long time supporter of the Pacifica Listeners Union as well.

The Interim KPFT LAB should be focused on the work of democratization of KPFT which includes actively promoting KPFT in the community and reaching out to and engaging as many segments of our community as possible. The formation of a programming council, including members of the community and programmers is an important step in this process. As is the reestablishment of the responsibility of the LAB to evaluate the performance of the KPFT manager.

I oppose corporate funding as well as Cpb funding. The independence that listener sponsorship was designed to provide is decimated by acceptance of such outside funding sources and has created a KPFT which is no longer committed to the Pacifica mission or the communities of Houston and it is high time that we show KPFT that community involvement is the key to a successful community radio station and set KPFT on the right track to serve the communities of Houston.

As a transit dependent individual with an income well below average I feel that I am well qualified to advise KPFT with regard to the needs of the many other similarly situated individuals in our communities. That and my commitment to democratizing the KPFT LAB's role make me an ideal candidate for the interim KPFT LAB. (tables)

 George Reiter's Statement:

I see KPFT as a vehicle for creating a new culture based on service and love and as the means of empowering activists in the local community who share that sense of a possible new society. As a LAB member, I would limit the amount of commercial music being played and replace it with local artists, musicians, poets, news and political programming. (tables)

 Deborah Shafto's Statement:

 Ted Weisgal's Statement:

The mission of Pacifica is as truly American as there can be: freedom of speech, freedom of expression (including music). Unfortunately, like in so many places, it has been abrogated. I will work to bring democracy to KPFT and Pacifica. Implicit in this is my commitment to work for the rights of those whose rights have never truly been fulfilled: ethnic, sexual and religious minorities, poor people and people whose non-violent progressive political views are largely unheard and unread in traditional media. One of my strengths is in PR and marketing. If KPFT achieves its mission but the listening audience is small, then we have a hollow victory. Outreach must be one of many priorities. The goal, without compromising values, should be to make KPFT a broadcasting force in the greater Houston area. (tables)

 Mark Wilde's Statement:

I have been involved in this movement since 1999. I became involved in the struggle for two reasons. First, as a matter of principle, I did not like the way people were being treated. Issues aside, the behavior of Berry et al. was, in my mind, cruel and very anti-Pacifica. Second, the issues of local control, freedom from corporate (and therefore government) interference, and free speech are important to me.

I believe KPFT should be radio where all aspects of the station operations (from programs to pledge drives) are fashioned by the hands of community volunteers. I believe that KPFT should tackle local issues and problems, become a home for labor programming, and be willing to take on important national issues. I believe that music, arts, and cultural programming should reflect the diversity of our city and create a venue for cultural understanding.

I am committed to doing what I can to make the above prinicples a reality at KPFT. (tables)

 

(tables)

Questions for candidates, answers in two tables above.

1. Do you currently reside within the signal area of KPFT/Houston? Yes/No (Table #1)

2. How many years have you listened to KPFT? (Table #1)

3. As of 10/01, are you current and/or former member or volunteer at KPFT? Yes/No (Table #1)

4. List your single most important community role/affiliation in the last year: (Table #1)

5. Do you wish to submit your name as a candidate for the 11/14/01 election of the KPFT Interim LAB? Yes/No (Table #1)

The following questions will be used solely to allow voters to assess a candidates positions, no answers are required.

6. Do you favor continuing CPB funding of KPFT/Pacifica? Yes/No (Table #2)

7. Do you support LABs with listener elected majorities at all stations? Yes/No (Table #2)

8. Do you favor giving the KPFT LAB a direct role in station manager hiring (such as creating the short hiring list or having a veto or choice)? Yes/No (Table #2)

9. The board rules call for the Interim LAB to declare a seat vacant if the member misses 3 meetings in a row without being excused, do you favor strict enforcement of this rule? Yes/No (Table #2)

10. Would you be personally active in the resistance if there is serious station violations or a direct interference by current national board? Yes/No (Table #2)

11. Are you concerned about the limitations of relying on Internet communications for LAB organizing? Yes/No (Table #2)

12. Do you favor the Interim LAB taking an active role in drafting the policies & procedures, organizing the election of a permanent KPFT LAB? Yes/No (Table #2)

13. Do you feel Pacifica mission includes broadcasting other political opinions than the so-called "progressive-left" views? Yes/No (Table #2)

14. Will you personally participate in the LAB committees that do the core work of the LAB such as creating policy reports or community needs assessment reports? Yes/No (Table #2)

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