There will a CAB meeting at the station starting at 1:00 PM tomorrow on Sunday, November 24th. The station is located at 388 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. We will discuss and hear people's opinions about the latest developments concerning the PSOA/LMA and the firing/not firing of Berthold plus the new hire of the IPD. We welcome people's opinions on programming issues. As of this meeting we will be having reading material on different radio alternatives and issues to be read and commented on passed around.
This includes papers and studies on the latest in new forms of radio broadcasting nationally and internationally.
Whatever needs to be done we will get accomplished.
All are welcome.
Information, observations and opinion about WBAI
Saturday, November 23, 2013
EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING ON SAVING WBAI
Reminder: EMERGENCY COMMUNITY MEETING ON SAVING WBAI
ON SATURDAY, NOV. 23 @ INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER
TIME: 2- 5 PM 147 WEST 24TH STREET - 2ND FLOOR.
[ Between 6th & 7th Avenues. ]
**** PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY ****
1. Sat. 11/23, 2-5PM: Emergency Community Meeting on the Dismantling of WBAI
2. Pacifica National Board may soon decide to lease away WBAI’s signal
3. Context for the New Petition: Keep WBAI in control of its programming
4. Serious Concerns about One WBAI Bidder:
* Would Slash Public-Affairs Programming
* Current Station Features Consistent Pro-Israeli-Government Programming
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Please sign the new petition (even if you signed an earlier version), and urge your friends and colleagues to do the same:
Pacifica National Board: Keep WBAI in control of its programming - go to
https://www.change.org/petitions/keep-wbai-in-control-of-its-programming
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Sat. 11/23, 2-5PM: Emergency Community Meeting on the Dismantling of WBAI
How to Destroy a Legend: WBAI public affairs and news staff laid off, and their severance not paid, national office staff purged, Free Speech Radio News forced to close down, needed network-wide CPB money delayed for months, imported programming forced onto the air at the expense of covering local communities – especially those of color, another rash of arbitrary national management departures via transfers or “administrative leave.” Now there’s serious talk of leasing out WBAI. Solicited proposals are in the hands of the Pacifica National Board which meets on Monday, Nov. 25.
What can be done to stop the dismantling of our station and network? Join us at a meeting to get updates and plan strategy to re-route this train on Sat. Nov. 23 from 2-5PM at the International Action Center, 147 West 24 Street – 2nd floor, btw. 6th & 7th Avenues, Manhattan.
More details at www.justiceunity.org
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2. Pacifica National Board may soon decide whether to lease away WBAI’s signal
Despite a cash infusion from the October pledge drive, WBAI’s financial crisis persists. But rather than seriously consider and support implementation of many proposals by staff, listeners, and board members for off-air fundraising strategies, the Pacifica National Board is now secretly considering leasing WBAI to another organization. The mechanism would be a Public Service Operating Agreement (PSOA), sometimes called a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA), which would grant de facto control of management and programming to the outside entity for a fixed number of years.
In October, the National Board directed the Interim Executive Director, Summer Reese, to post a Request for Proposals for leasing, with a November 6 deadline (see http://www.wbai.org/lsb/documents/RFP%20for%20WBAI.pdf ).
All discussion of this vital decision about the future of the station as we know it has been done in secret.
Six weeks after the National Board directed Ms. Reese to meet with the WBAI Local Station Board to brief them about this matter, she finally proposed a meeting this week – but in secret session. It’s possible the Pacifica National Board may take up the leasing question at its conference-call meeting this Monday, Nov. 25.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3. Context for the New Petition: Keep WBAI in control of its programming
In September, when word first leaked out about the National Board’s consideration of leasing, the WBAI local board’s Finance Committee unanimously passed a resolution urging the Pacifica National Board not to do so before trying other fundraising strategies, and to have local discussions of this matter in public. Justice & Unity launched a petition on change.org, demanding that this course of action be followed by the National Board.
Now, we have updated the petition to include recent developments, and -- after the Pacifica National Board rejected a motion to discuss the Request for Proposals in open session – have added a demand that the National Board’s discussions and decisions on leasing must be MADE IN PUBLIC. Again, the petition link is
https://www.change.org/petitions/keep-wbai-in-control-of-its-programming
Leasing out the signal would mean losing WBAI's input into program decision-making, and depending on the lessee chosen, could be devastating to serving Pacifica's mission. It could also further the harmful trend in recent months to cut back WBAI’s local, progressive programming covering community issues and movements.
Justice & Unity believes that if after exhausting other fundraising possibilities, there is actually no financial alternative to a lease, the Pacifica National Board must publicly consult with the WBAI LSB and the WBAI paid and unpaid staff, to develop a set of principles/criteria by which any lease proposal would be evaluated. These should include compliance with Pacifica’s mission, maintenance of significant amount of current WBAI local public-affairs programming, ample opportunities for audience participation, financial viability, and multi-media potential, among others. Also, a key requirement, not just a preference, should be that any lease term must return control of WBAI in the shortest possible time.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
4. Serious Concerns about One Known WBAI Bidder:
* Would Slash Public-Affairs Programming
* Current Station Features Consistent Pro-Israeli-Government Programming
The bidder reportedly recommended by Ms. Reese, is Auricle Communications, owner of WFMU-FM (http://www.wfmu.org ), a mainly-music station in Jersey City, and a smaller station in New Hope, NY. Ken Freeman, Auricle’s and WFMU’s manager, has confirmed that his organization is one of the bidders on WBAI. In fact, he flew to Houston in early November to attend the Pacifica National Board meeting in order to make his case (the leasing issue ended up not being addressed at that time). Freeman told a WBAI local board member that his proposal for leasing was for only about 35% of the programming to be public-affairs -- a major reduction from WBAI’s current mix -- with the rest being music and arts. He would decide which shows to include, with the input of an unspecified advisory group.
An Internet search found alarming information about a Director of Auricle Communications. That Director, Nachum Segel, who (according to Auricle’s IRS 990 form) receives a salary, hosts a daily drive-time show on WFMU called “JM [Jewish Moments] in the AM” (http://jmintheam.org ). According to archived programs, Segel has repeatedly aired uncritical interviews with Israeli government officials and supporters, justifying the policies of occupation, war and repression. This type of programming is totally contrary to the Pacifica mission of promoting information and dialogue toward the resolution of conflict among nations and peoples.
From: info@justiceunity.org
Justice and Unity
PO Box 2690, Manhattanville Station,
New York, NY 10027
ON SATURDAY, NOV. 23 @ INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER
TIME: 2- 5 PM 147 WEST 24TH STREET - 2ND FLOOR.
[ Between 6th & 7th Avenues. ]
**** PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY ****
1. Sat. 11/23, 2-5PM: Emergency Community Meeting on the Dismantling of WBAI
2. Pacifica National Board may soon decide to lease away WBAI’s signal
3. Context for the New Petition: Keep WBAI in control of its programming
4. Serious Concerns about One WBAI Bidder:
* Would Slash Public-Affairs Programming
* Current Station Features Consistent Pro-Israeli-Government Programming
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Please sign the new petition (even if you signed an earlier version), and urge your friends and colleagues to do the same:
Pacifica National Board: Keep WBAI in control of its programming - go to
https://www.change.org/petitions/keep-wbai-in-control-of-its-programming
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Sat. 11/23, 2-5PM: Emergency Community Meeting on the Dismantling of WBAI
How to Destroy a Legend: WBAI public affairs and news staff laid off, and their severance not paid, national office staff purged, Free Speech Radio News forced to close down, needed network-wide CPB money delayed for months, imported programming forced onto the air at the expense of covering local communities – especially those of color, another rash of arbitrary national management departures via transfers or “administrative leave.” Now there’s serious talk of leasing out WBAI. Solicited proposals are in the hands of the Pacifica National Board which meets on Monday, Nov. 25.
What can be done to stop the dismantling of our station and network? Join us at a meeting to get updates and plan strategy to re-route this train on Sat. Nov. 23 from 2-5PM at the International Action Center, 147 West 24 Street – 2nd floor, btw. 6th & 7th Avenues, Manhattan.
More details at www.justiceunity.org
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
2. Pacifica National Board may soon decide whether to lease away WBAI’s signal
Despite a cash infusion from the October pledge drive, WBAI’s financial crisis persists. But rather than seriously consider and support implementation of many proposals by staff, listeners, and board members for off-air fundraising strategies, the Pacifica National Board is now secretly considering leasing WBAI to another organization. The mechanism would be a Public Service Operating Agreement (PSOA), sometimes called a Local Marketing Agreement (LMA), which would grant de facto control of management and programming to the outside entity for a fixed number of years.
In October, the National Board directed the Interim Executive Director, Summer Reese, to post a Request for Proposals for leasing, with a November 6 deadline (see http://www.wbai.org/lsb/documents/RFP%20for%20WBAI.pdf ).
All discussion of this vital decision about the future of the station as we know it has been done in secret.
Six weeks after the National Board directed Ms. Reese to meet with the WBAI Local Station Board to brief them about this matter, she finally proposed a meeting this week – but in secret session. It’s possible the Pacifica National Board may take up the leasing question at its conference-call meeting this Monday, Nov. 25.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3. Context for the New Petition: Keep WBAI in control of its programming
In September, when word first leaked out about the National Board’s consideration of leasing, the WBAI local board’s Finance Committee unanimously passed a resolution urging the Pacifica National Board not to do so before trying other fundraising strategies, and to have local discussions of this matter in public. Justice & Unity launched a petition on change.org, demanding that this course of action be followed by the National Board.
Now, we have updated the petition to include recent developments, and -- after the Pacifica National Board rejected a motion to discuss the Request for Proposals in open session – have added a demand that the National Board’s discussions and decisions on leasing must be MADE IN PUBLIC. Again, the petition link is
https://www.change.org/petitions/keep-wbai-in-control-of-its-programming
Leasing out the signal would mean losing WBAI's input into program decision-making, and depending on the lessee chosen, could be devastating to serving Pacifica's mission. It could also further the harmful trend in recent months to cut back WBAI’s local, progressive programming covering community issues and movements.
Justice & Unity believes that if after exhausting other fundraising possibilities, there is actually no financial alternative to a lease, the Pacifica National Board must publicly consult with the WBAI LSB and the WBAI paid and unpaid staff, to develop a set of principles/criteria by which any lease proposal would be evaluated. These should include compliance with Pacifica’s mission, maintenance of significant amount of current WBAI local public-affairs programming, ample opportunities for audience participation, financial viability, and multi-media potential, among others. Also, a key requirement, not just a preference, should be that any lease term must return control of WBAI in the shortest possible time.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
4. Serious Concerns about One Known WBAI Bidder:
* Would Slash Public-Affairs Programming
* Current Station Features Consistent Pro-Israeli-Government Programming
The bidder reportedly recommended by Ms. Reese, is Auricle Communications, owner of WFMU-FM (http://www.wfmu.org ), a mainly-music station in Jersey City, and a smaller station in New Hope, NY. Ken Freeman, Auricle’s and WFMU’s manager, has confirmed that his organization is one of the bidders on WBAI. In fact, he flew to Houston in early November to attend the Pacifica National Board meeting in order to make his case (the leasing issue ended up not being addressed at that time). Freeman told a WBAI local board member that his proposal for leasing was for only about 35% of the programming to be public-affairs -- a major reduction from WBAI’s current mix -- with the rest being music and arts. He would decide which shows to include, with the input of an unspecified advisory group.
An Internet search found alarming information about a Director of Auricle Communications. That Director, Nachum Segel, who (according to Auricle’s IRS 990 form) receives a salary, hosts a daily drive-time show on WFMU called “JM [Jewish Moments] in the AM” (http://jmintheam.org ). According to archived programs, Segel has repeatedly aired uncritical interviews with Israeli government officials and supporters, justifying the policies of occupation, war and repression. This type of programming is totally contrary to the Pacifica mission of promoting information and dialogue toward the resolution of conflict among nations and peoples.
From: info@justiceunity.org
Justice and Unity
PO Box 2690, Manhattanville Station,
New York, NY 10027
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Summer Reese's letter to WBAI producer Fran Luck
Lest we forget, here's what Summer said:
Dear Fran and WBAI Community,
I will be doing everything I can to keep the station going and to allow all of the positive outpouring of support to manifest beneficially for the survival and future of the station.
Hopefully, my goal is to come to New York immediately following the PNB meeting in Houston, work with Berthold on a smooth transition of operations and appoint interim management. This will give me the opportunity to meet with the stakeholders in WBAI and work with the new transitional staff.
At the PNB meeting in Texas, I will be recommending to the Board that it consider and discuss any proposals offered, but not take a final vote on any offer at that meeting.
A deliberative process of this magnitude should not be entered into without careful consideration of all possible outcomes. We will be receiving offers
until right before the meeting.
I believe the Board can winnow the field of offers to those it wishes to
consider further, refine its points of inquiry and clearly indicate the most favored elements and outcomes.
After all of the above, further negotiation, legal consultation, vetting of the third-party entities, additional Board discussion and voting would need to occur.
This process will take some length of time to execute properly, even with me working diligently with our legal counsel, FCC and any potential interested parties.
During this time, I believe every effort should be made to save the
station, including raising money to build proper studios at our present location, debt forgiveness, major donor engagement, and bringing in any number of friends, supporters, colleagues, community leaders, etc. to cause a rebirth at the station. I am open to all positive ideas, efforts and
contributions.
There is no desire to enter into an LMA or PSOA, it is simply being considered as an option to preserve the station and not lose the license, if it can not be sustained by its audience and community.
If those dynamics and statistics can be changed, the entire discussion will
change. I will continue to do everything I can to keep the station on the air and address the difficult circumstances with which we are confronted as effectively as possible. Thank you for writing to me.
Summer Reese
Dear Fran and WBAI Community,
I will be doing everything I can to keep the station going and to allow all of the positive outpouring of support to manifest beneficially for the survival and future of the station.
Hopefully, my goal is to come to New York immediately following the PNB meeting in Houston, work with Berthold on a smooth transition of operations and appoint interim management. This will give me the opportunity to meet with the stakeholders in WBAI and work with the new transitional staff.
At the PNB meeting in Texas, I will be recommending to the Board that it consider and discuss any proposals offered, but not take a final vote on any offer at that meeting.
A deliberative process of this magnitude should not be entered into without careful consideration of all possible outcomes. We will be receiving offers
until right before the meeting.
I believe the Board can winnow the field of offers to those it wishes to
consider further, refine its points of inquiry and clearly indicate the most favored elements and outcomes.
After all of the above, further negotiation, legal consultation, vetting of the third-party entities, additional Board discussion and voting would need to occur.
This process will take some length of time to execute properly, even with me working diligently with our legal counsel, FCC and any potential interested parties.
During this time, I believe every effort should be made to save the
station, including raising money to build proper studios at our present location, debt forgiveness, major donor engagement, and bringing in any number of friends, supporters, colleagues, community leaders, etc. to cause a rebirth at the station. I am open to all positive ideas, efforts and
contributions.
There is no desire to enter into an LMA or PSOA, it is simply being considered as an option to preserve the station and not lose the license, if it can not be sustained by its audience and community.
If those dynamics and statistics can be changed, the entire discussion will
change. I will continue to do everything I can to keep the station on the air and address the difficult circumstances with which we are confronted as effectively as possible. Thank you for writing to me.
Summer Reese
The Global Gender-Based Violence Threat
The Lasiewicz Foundation is pleased to announce that today's Congressional Human Rights Commission hearing on violence against women globally was recorded by staff of WPFW and excerpts will air on tomorrow's new broadcast.
The audio portion of this hearing is available to the public and media producers at the following website: http://audioport.org/index.php?op=program-info&program_id=65506&nav=&
All around the world, women and girls are vulnerable to rape and other forms of physical and sexual violence - crimes collectively referred to as gender-based violence (GBV). According to the World Health Organization, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced some form of GBV, with rates exceeding 70 percent in some countries. Such violence can significantly affect the ability of women and girls to participate in political, economic, and peace and security initiatives. Additionally, GBV exacts a tremendous human toll on nations and has implications for global diplomatic and humanitarian efforts around the world.
This hearing explored the range of threats that women and girls face around the world. It will also examine the extent to which U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs address the specific needs of GBV survivors in emergency, post "emergency, and development environments. This hearing will draw on the instructive experience of organizations working to combat GBV in India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti.
Speakers:
Catherine Russell, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women s Issues, Department of State;
Carla Koppell, Chief Strategy Officer, USAID (Former Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment);
Cristina Finch, Managing Director, Women s Human Rights Program, Amnesty International USA;
Francisca Vigaud-Walsh, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Women's Protection and Empowerment Unit, International Rescue Committee (IRC);
Ravi Kant, President of the Board of Directors, Shakti Vahini, New Delhi, India;
Guerda Constant, Executive Director of Fondasyon Limy Lavi, Haiti.
IN: (Ambassador Russell) Thank you very much
OUT: (Guerda Constant) and more secure.
TOTAL TIME: 49:32
Recorded and produced Robb Simms of Pacifica Radio WPFW-FM, Washington DC.
Funding for recording and production of this program has been graciously provided by the Lasiewicz Foundation.
The audio portion of this hearing is available to the public and media producers at the following website: http://audioport.org/index.php?op=program-info&program_id=65506&nav=&
All around the world, women and girls are vulnerable to rape and other forms of physical and sexual violence - crimes collectively referred to as gender-based violence (GBV). According to the World Health Organization, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced some form of GBV, with rates exceeding 70 percent in some countries. Such violence can significantly affect the ability of women and girls to participate in political, economic, and peace and security initiatives. Additionally, GBV exacts a tremendous human toll on nations and has implications for global diplomatic and humanitarian efforts around the world.
This hearing explored the range of threats that women and girls face around the world. It will also examine the extent to which U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs address the specific needs of GBV survivors in emergency, post "emergency, and development environments. This hearing will draw on the instructive experience of organizations working to combat GBV in India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti.
Speakers:
Catherine Russell, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women s Issues, Department of State;
Carla Koppell, Chief Strategy Officer, USAID (Former Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment);
Cristina Finch, Managing Director, Women s Human Rights Program, Amnesty International USA;
Francisca Vigaud-Walsh, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Women's Protection and Empowerment Unit, International Rescue Committee (IRC);
Ravi Kant, President of the Board of Directors, Shakti Vahini, New Delhi, India;
Guerda Constant, Executive Director of Fondasyon Limy Lavi, Haiti.
IN: (Ambassador Russell) Thank you very much
OUT: (Guerda Constant) and more secure.
TOTAL TIME: 49:32
Recorded and produced Robb Simms of Pacifica Radio WPFW-FM, Washington DC.
Funding for recording and production of this program has been graciously provided by the Lasiewicz Foundation.
Gary Null speaks about Pacifica, gives kudos to Berthold Reimers
Gary Null spoke about Pacifica today:
One personal statement, and this is only my own personal statement. I believe that it's time for Pacifica to really change itself, on every level. I believe that we have been suffering from massive hubris, and as a result our average audience is about 67 years of age. We have forgotten two entire generations and we have been programming -- though essential programming -- such narrowly defined programming that it excludes the vast majority of people.
And it's very leaned towards a political left perspective. It should be leaned towards a truth perspective, that empowers people, so you don't exclude those that have a different political or religious philosophy. And we do. And we actually pride ourselves on it, at least many of the programs do. We'd rather elect (sic) a program director who has no background in radio or communications or dealing with a larger audience, but who is politically aligned ideologically. The same with station managers, and the same with many hosts and producers. This has been part of the internal struggle in this network for decades. And it cetainly accelerated during the last 10 years, into its death spiral.
But I think it can be turned around, I'm still optimistic. That's why I still stay here. But also, in the future, if you turn on at noon and you do not hear me, there's two simple solutions: one is to call the phone number: 619-550-0869. Hundreds of thousands of people listen over the telephone, and that way you'll hear me broadcasting live from our studios at Progressive Radio Network. Or you can just go to the Internet and you can get on that way. This way no matter what mistake has been made you're not a part of it.
Berthold Reimers
That said, Thank you, Berthold Reimers, thank you, Summer Reese. Berthold is doing a magnificent job. He's overworked, underpaid and underappreciated, in fact not appreciated at all, except for those of us who say thank you for getting out 3,500 premiums. We're up-to-date including the water filters. As of today every single premium - unless I missed something - has been honored because he made that a priority. You paid for it, you deserve it and now you're getting your premiums. That's the first time in years. Thank you Berthold, for doing a good job and honoring the audience first.
Gary Null
One personal statement, and this is only my own personal statement. I believe that it's time for Pacifica to really change itself, on every level. I believe that we have been suffering from massive hubris, and as a result our average audience is about 67 years of age. We have forgotten two entire generations and we have been programming -- though essential programming -- such narrowly defined programming that it excludes the vast majority of people.
And it's very leaned towards a political left perspective. It should be leaned towards a truth perspective, that empowers people, so you don't exclude those that have a different political or religious philosophy. And we do. And we actually pride ourselves on it, at least many of the programs do. We'd rather elect (sic) a program director who has no background in radio or communications or dealing with a larger audience, but who is politically aligned ideologically. The same with station managers, and the same with many hosts and producers. This has been part of the internal struggle in this network for decades. And it cetainly accelerated during the last 10 years, into its death spiral.
But I think it can be turned around, I'm still optimistic. That's why I still stay here. But also, in the future, if you turn on at noon and you do not hear me, there's two simple solutions: one is to call the phone number: 619-550-0869. Hundreds of thousands of people listen over the telephone, and that way you'll hear me broadcasting live from our studios at Progressive Radio Network. Or you can just go to the Internet and you can get on that way. This way no matter what mistake has been made you're not a part of it.
Berthold Reimers
That said, Thank you, Berthold Reimers, thank you, Summer Reese. Berthold is doing a magnificent job. He's overworked, underpaid and underappreciated, in fact not appreciated at all, except for those of us who say thank you for getting out 3,500 premiums. We're up-to-date including the water filters. As of today every single premium - unless I missed something - has been honored because he made that a priority. You paid for it, you deserve it and now you're getting your premiums. That's the first time in years. Thank you Berthold, for doing a good job and honoring the audience first.
Gary Null
Call for a special WBAI LSB meeting
The WBAI LSB will meet on Friday, November 22, 2013, in executive session to consider confidential personnel, contractual and legal issues.
The WBAI LSB will meet in public session on Friday, November 22, 2013, starting at 8:30 PM at 388 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, NY, to address urgent matters that are before the LSB and PNB pertaining to:
1. Report out from executive session. (2 minutes)
2. Selection of time keeper. (1 minute)
3. Consideration of a proposal to enter into a Public Service Operating Agreement. (30 minutes)
4. Reports about the situation at WBAI from:
6. Statements regarding WBAI’s Management. (10 minutes)
This meeting will adjourn no later than 10:30 PM.
This call for a special meeting is made by:
Robert Young, Chair of the WBAI LSB
Mitchel Cohen, Secretary of the WBAI LSB
R. Paul Martin, Treasurer of the WBAI LSB
Jim Dingeman's response:
Given the squabbling over the timing and the date the practical consequence is that some people will not be able to attend. After all, their lives are not completely dominated by this soap opera.
As I understand there was to be time allocated for the WBAI CAB to report on what they have been gathering on the situation…hmm..I wonder where that went?
Finally, sorry…but a half hour is simply not enough time to have people come and deices this issue.
that was clearly deliberately done and at this time the idea that the collective insights of the members of the LSB is enough to answer the many thousands of listeners who have yet to deal with this is to me simply pathetic and deliberately designed to stifle the full of expression of people who actually pay to hear the air…80% of the money comes from the public….their opinion is objectified and stereotyped in a design like this.
Jim
We have to agree.
The WBAI LSB will meet in public session on Friday, November 22, 2013, starting at 8:30 PM at 388 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, NY, to address urgent matters that are before the LSB and PNB pertaining to:
1. Report out from executive session. (2 minutes)
2. Selection of time keeper. (1 minute)
3. Consideration of a proposal to enter into a Public Service Operating Agreement. (30 minutes)
4. Reports about the situation at WBAI from:
a. The Treasurer with a motion from the local Finance Committee. (5 minutes)
b. The General Manager of WBAI. (5 minutes)
c. The Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation. (15 minutes)
d. Discussion of reports. (20 minutes)
5. Public Comment. (30 minutes) 6. Statements regarding WBAI’s Management. (10 minutes)
This meeting will adjourn no later than 10:30 PM.
This call for a special meeting is made by:
Robert Young, Chair of the WBAI LSB
Mitchel Cohen, Secretary of the WBAI LSB
R. Paul Martin, Treasurer of the WBAI LSB
Jim Dingeman's response:
Given the squabbling over the timing and the date the practical consequence is that some people will not be able to attend. After all, their lives are not completely dominated by this soap opera.
As I understand there was to be time allocated for the WBAI CAB to report on what they have been gathering on the situation…hmm..I wonder where that went?
Finally, sorry…but a half hour is simply not enough time to have people come and deices this issue.
that was clearly deliberately done and at this time the idea that the collective insights of the members of the LSB is enough to answer the many thousands of listeners who have yet to deal with this is to me simply pathetic and deliberately designed to stifle the full of expression of people who actually pay to hear the air…80% of the money comes from the public….their opinion is objectified and stereotyped in a design like this.
Jim
We have to agree.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
WBAI CAB MEETING AT 100 PM this Sunday November 24th 2013 at WBAI
There will be a WBAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD this Sunday, November 24th, 2013 starting at 100 PM at the station which is located at 388 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The station is at the Brooklyn Commons on the Third Floor. It between Hoyt and Bond Street a few blocks west of Barclay Center.
We will be updating folks on the Leased Management Agreement Issue. We understand there are 10 proposals that are being considered by the Pacifica National Board. They will be having a phone teleconference this coming Monday.
We will also discuss the status of Berthold Reimers as General Manager. I am attaching reading material which I would like to discuss the following CAB meeting with people.
We welcome your comments and insights about the programming at WBAI RADIO. We also intend to continue to pack and prepare premiums for shipment so please be aware that this will also be going on. In addition, keep your eyes out for sudden announcements of a open LSB meeting with Summer Reese to have you express your concerns. There has been a big controversy over whether to have these meetings with her this week in Executive session exclusively or intermingled with public comment.
The WBAI CAB since this latest crisis has begun have unanimously been in favor of open meetings. We feel that if people are being asked to help pay for the enormous costs that WBAI has incurred they at least are deserved a full account with their comments and critique. Attached is letters and resolutions Unanimous Resolution of the Listeners Attending the WBAI Community Advisory Board Meeting on November 10th, 2013
Ms. Summer Reese
Executive Director Pacifica Foundation
CC: PNB and WBAI LSB
Whereas, we the listener-sponsors of WBAI/Pacifica, are outraged at what is happening at our station; and Whereas the local station board (LSB) has not represented our interests for a long period of time; and Whereas the current crisis is the result of past dysfunction; and Whereas in our most resent fund drive, we listener-sponsors exceeded the targeted goals;
Resolved: That we go on record as opposing any LMA; and Further Resolved: That we demand retention of the General Manager during this crises period; and Further Resolved: That we demand an opened meeting with the LSB to address the future of our station; and Further Resolved: That we demand a meeting with Ms. Summer Reese, Executive Director, on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 7:00 P.M., at 388 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11217.
The following Listener-Sponsors were among those attending:
Marilyn Voyt-Downey * Carl Makower * Tarun Kranadas * James Sagurton Nicolas Chango * David Suker * Jonathan Weil * Elton Owusu Kenneth Porter * Ronald Fecher * Patrick Robinson * Nenette Knpke Roberth Hennlly * Susan Hues * M. VanderHeyden * Adam Korany Saint – Clair Jackson * Anita Luftig * Louise Lessard * Kyle Scott Mitxchel Cohxen * Bob Levis * John Foust * Marianita Damari Len Kleinman * Matt Mazza * Lucio Cacharani * Nia Knowell Deb Russell Brown * Boukan Collins * Dr. Beg
November 18, 2013
Dear Summer,
We are responding to the news that you want to fire Berthold Reimers as General Manager of WBAI. According to Pacifica procedures there are two other parties involved in the decision to replace a General Manager: the Local Station Board and the National Board. As these two boards undertake their evaluation of Berthold’s work, we would like to contribute to the process by offering our observations. But first we want to address our comments to you. We feel that your decision to replace Berthold must have been based on a distorted view of his performance resulting from a lopsided reliance on input from his detractors.
As you are well aware, the GM’s responsibilities include at least three different money-related jobs: Chief Financial Officer, controller, and bookkeeper (not to mention data entry clerk). It is Berthold’s responsibility to make financial projections; to pay bills on time, to document everything and provide reports to the ED, PNB and LSB. Berthold does all of this, sometimes even without the information he needs from above (Pacifica) and below (reconciled bank statements). In the absence of sufficient staff, he has even devised makeshift controls and checks to protect the integrity of WBAI’s finances.
Operationally, Berthold’s heaviest responsibility is the planning and organization of fund-drives and premiums. He collects and analyzes an enormous amount of data, studying past performance to determine which premiums to place at what time-slots for maximum revenue. He monitors this daily during fund-drives and makes adjustments as needed. Berthold has to plan, maintain and monitor inventory of premiums, coordinating their acquisition and distribution despite uncertain cash flow and limited personnel. Of course there are still problems and many justifiable complaints, but it should be acknowledged that the premium situation has improved significantly during Berthold’s tenure.
Berthold has also made it his priority to develop new revenue sources. Under his watch, the WBAI Buddy program has grown dramatically, now bringing in nearly $14,000/month. This program also requires continual monitoring and analysis.
The General Manager job clearly requires mastery of the use and interface of numerous specialized software programs—financial, subscriber and inventory—not to mention Excel. Berthold is very good at this. Indeed there seems to be little disagreement about Berthold’s strengths as a spreadsheet guy. In fact, one of his main critics identifies this as a shortcoming, arguing that Berthold is “just a spreadsheet guy.” What is not generally understood is how absolutely vital this is. Without the acquisition, management, manipulation and analysis of data, it would be impossible to make the daily, weekly, monthly and longer-term decisions and projections necessary to run the station.
Whoever manages WBAI must be a spreadsheet guy, and we have been lucky during this difficult period to have a very good one at the helm. But Berthold is not “just” a spreadsheet guy.
The GM must also be a “people person.” Berthold has to maintain good relations with many “outsiders”: City College, key vendors, the landlord, allies and media. But most of all, managing WBAI means dealing with countless “insiders”—producers, LSB and PNB members, staff, volunteers and listeners—in a tense environment fraught with nasty factional fighting. Somehow Berthold has been able to work with everyone, often bridging the divide between factions. This is no small matter.
We think it is important to point out that Berthold has not only maintained good relations with many of the laid-off staff; he has also been able to recruit, manage and inspire volunteers to accomplish work once done by paid staff. Berthold’s detractors complain in a general way about his communication skills, but this criticism, we feel, would be more constructive if rendered more specific. Berthold would welcome an opportunity to meet with his critics to listen to their specific concerns so that he can focus on areas where he needs to improve. In the meantime, Berthold cannot regularly speak with every producer on a one-to-one basis; nor can he meet with every listener who shows up at the office demanding his time and attention. Members of the LSB are sometimes understandably frustrated due to lack of information, especially financial information, they feel should be forthcoming from the General Manager. Often, however, the information or reports they seek require key components from Pacifica that are not even available to Berthold himself.
It is rarely mentioned that Berthold speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Creole and French. This gives him an inestimable advantage in communicating with New York’s diverse population of listeners and supporters. Despite the relentless pressure on Berthold to focus on the short-term unavoidable issues and problems facing the station, he has nonetheless carved out time (by working very long hours) to consider the long-term as well:
** He is always open to new initiatives that will broaden our audience—demographically, nationally and internationally.
** Berthold has been especially attentive to seeking out and mentoring younger people to apprentice at the station. ** In keeping with Pacifica’s mission, Berthold has reestablished long-dormant relationships with nearly a dozen off-Broadway groups.
** When Berthold realized that there were still thirty years of WBAI on analog tapes, he facilitated their digitalization and transfer to Pacifica Archives.
** He has encouraged and facilitated a wide range of fundraisers that bring in much-needed cash and also promote the station in different communities.
On top of all this, over the past twelve months the station has moved TWICE. Berthold planned and coordinated both of these moves and dealt with all of the logistical and communication problems inherent in the process. It was not flawless, but it was pretty damn good.
None of this is to say that the situation is satisfactory. We recognize that the station desperately needs serious attention to programming and marketing, and people with those backgrounds and skills to complement Berthold’s talents and strengths. Ideally we would have three different people: a GM, Program Director and a Marketing/PR Director, but for now we don’t have the money. In the meantime, Berthold has been concentrating on what ABSOLUTELY has to be done to keep the station afloat. WBAI has survived (barely) for many months without a Program Director, but the station could not survive a month without “a spreadsheet guy.”
You have given WBAI tremendous support this past year at huge personal sacrifice, Summer, and for this we are very grateful. Thanks to you and to Berthold and to the continued support of our listeners, the station has been steadily recovering. But it is far from stable, and the transition to a sustainable footing is still in a delicate phase. All the more reason, we think, to not jeopardize WBAI’s survival by jettisoning a tried-and-true manager. With all of the layoffs, Berthold is responsible for at least six different jobs at this point. He has demonstrated the versatility, flexibility and diplomacy required to run the station during protracted crises. He can manage despite the infighting. This combination of skills and talents is not easy to come by. Why would we give it up?
Sincerely, James Sagurton (New Jersey) Najee Sabir (New Jersey) Bob Levis (Manhattan) Dani Lamar (Brooklyn) Melissa Ennen (Brooklyn) Jim Dingeman (Manhattan) Mitchel Cohen (Brooklyn)
This is a post from Tracy Rosenberg
Hi Jim,
Here are my answers. I understand they may not be adequate. I do not have direct access to the books at WBAI.
What is the exact grand total of debt owed by Pacifica ?
I have not seen an accounts payable document since the spring of 2012. At that time, the total debts were about 1.6 million, about 1.2 million at the national office, about 200K at WBAI and the remainder divided between KPFA and WPFW. KPFK and KPFT were largely debt-free at that time. The majority of the national office debt was to Democracy Now and at that time totaled about $800,000. $100,000 was owed to FSRN, and the balance was largely owed to attorneys, primarily KPFA labor lawyers and the White and Hicks cases. I have recently received a legal bills breakdown and can confirm that the Hicks case has been largely paid, there is still a large unpaid balance in the White case of approximately $90,000 and KPFA has legal bills of $120,000 or so remaining unpaid. My understanding is that Democracy Now is probably owed around 1.4 million by now, and FSRN, as we know is owed $200,000. I don't believe there are any other large outstanding debts.
What is the contribution of WBAI in specifics in regards to this ?
WBAI has not paid more than 1/2 of its shared services portion for most of the past decade. Usually it has not even paid a quarter. Had WBAI been able to do so, the amount missing would have more than covered all of the outstanding debt as the book receivable to the national office from WBAI is more than $3.5 million dollars (over 12 years). Essentially, although all of the stations are financially tight at this time, the Pacifica debt problem is the cost of subsidizing WBAI's operations and "waiving" their share of the network expenses pretty much since the beginning of democratization. The financial structure for the network depends on expense-sharing. When one station consistently does not pay their share, the structure does not hold. Even 1/2 of the unpaid amount would have prevented the significant assumption of debt, but for political reasons, no PNB and no executive director felt able to cut WBAI's costs significantly over the year.
People want to know what are the specifics of the money owed to DN? What is the role of WBAI in all this?
See above. I do want to say the 2nd Democracy Now contract, which was signed on the identical terms to the first contract, was a negligent act by Ambrose Lane, corporate counsel Dan Siegel and the 2007 PNB that paid no attention to the significant decline in DN pledges nor to Pacifica's needs to invest in equipment and technology to stay relevant and competitive in the media landscape. Had WBAI been able to pay its portion of shared services, there is still a statement that $600,000 annually to DN may not have been the best use of money. However, WBAI largely did not pay shared services and Pacifica used the other stations share to cover the DN payments for as long as it could and when that became impossible because overall revenues started to slip, finally began to default on the payments to DN, largely in 2010 when KPFA stopped paying shared services as well due to operating deficits and the foundation posted its largest ever operating loss.
What is the amount of money owed to the NO from WBAI as regards to payment into Central Services?
The books say $3.5 million. I do not know how far back that balance sheet is going, but my guess would be it is to 2002.
How long has the non payment of the money to Central Services going on? How much has been owed by WBAI over a period of time? Is it ten years? 15 years what is the actual number?
From my understanding, in 2002, when the iPNB took over, the books largely had to be recreated, so I don't know that I am in a position to say anything about pre-2002 operations. If it helps any, at that time Pacifica had a much larger debt of close to $6 million dollars and was able to negotiate it down and pay off virtually all of it, so it is not impossible to climb out of a hole. What one needs to do is stop making it bigger. I am going to say $3.5 million over 12 years. I am not swearing as to the accuracy of that figure, but I am providing it as my best estimate. I will also say that half of it and fiscal stabilization going forwards would entirely mitigate the debt problem and the rest needs to be considered water under the bridge as it is simply the operating reserves we should have and don't and the investments in equipment and upgrades that we should have made but didn't.
Is the amount of money outstanding that is owed mainly due to WBAI?
Yes. KPFA played a role in 2009 and 2010 by running large deficits, but that was somewhat mitigated by their cash reserve and it was not until they spent up all that money and started defaulting on shared services to pay their bills that it impacted the rest of the network. The deficit spending was corrected on the fall of 2010 and back shared services paid in installments from Jan of 2011 to June of 2012. KPFK and KPFT have largely paid for themselves, although both stations do run small deficits from time to time. WPFW has sometimes added to the debts, but since the scale of the station is small, it has only made a small contribution compared to WBAI which is twice as large and runs much larger deficits. So I would have to say that yes it is mainly due to WBAI.
How has that money owed tracked over the years and what discussion or policy discussed to deal with it?
That's a harder question. One of the reasons Lonnie Hicks was removed as the CFO in January of 2009 was a perception that he was covering up the extent of the subsidies to WBAI. While I had no access to any PNB materials prior to 2010, I suspect that is true as many people that I knew on the board at that time profess to be surprised by what now seems to be common knowledge. The convention of releasing financial statements with the supposition that shared services payments are made (accrual accounting) contributes to the lack of clarity and Pacifica may want to consider a move to a cash accounting system if and when there is a competent CFO. In 2008, a balloon loan was proposed by Save KPFA'er Sherry Gendelman, then an interim ED, that would have provided an infusion of cash in return for a mortgage on KPFK's building and a large multi-million dollar payment due in 2013. It was defeated by one vote. Had it been approved, KPFK's building would have been repossessed earlier this year. Many people think that proposal was an admission that subsidizing WBAI on incoming receipts was about to fail. As it did. Grace Aaron hoped that management changes at WBAI implemented in the spring of 2009 would turn things around, but while they did improve slightly, it was not enough to compensate for the crazy fixed expenses and the station continued to lose money every year.
How is the outstanding debt impacting on policy?
The finance committee tried to acknowledge reality in 2011 and "officially" sanctioned WBAI to pay only 9.5% in shared services instead of 19.5% and trimmed the national office budget accordingly. That is part of the reason the overall deficit in 2011 was the smallest of the last five years at $600,000. We were optimistic about WBAI in 2012 (as revenue had been trending upward), but unfortunately the hurricane pitched WBAI into a catastrophe with no reserves, and I don't think anyone had any ability to deal with $500,000 just not being there. (The stations are on average presenting $10,000 in surplus - if we're lucky). WBAI did raise money in the spring of 2013 to replace the Fall 2012, but then couldn't continue to raise enough to also pay the spring 2013 expenses, which was the equivalent of two major fund drives back-to-back). The upshot is that whatever you would consider sound financial policy has had to come second to shifting money around constantly to meet emergencies and there are all kinds of reasons why that's a bad way to operate. Costs money, prevents planning, takes up time and leads to mistakes.
If there are documents, great.
I wish. If I did a great document search, I probably could find some helpful things squirreled away over the years, but my time right now doesn't allow for the great search. I hope this email is
reasonably helpful and I will stand by everything I say here.
Best,
Tracy
We will be updating folks on the Leased Management Agreement Issue. We understand there are 10 proposals that are being considered by the Pacifica National Board. They will be having a phone teleconference this coming Monday.
We will also discuss the status of Berthold Reimers as General Manager. I am attaching reading material which I would like to discuss the following CAB meeting with people.
We welcome your comments and insights about the programming at WBAI RADIO. We also intend to continue to pack and prepare premiums for shipment so please be aware that this will also be going on. In addition, keep your eyes out for sudden announcements of a open LSB meeting with Summer Reese to have you express your concerns. There has been a big controversy over whether to have these meetings with her this week in Executive session exclusively or intermingled with public comment.
The WBAI CAB since this latest crisis has begun have unanimously been in favor of open meetings. We feel that if people are being asked to help pay for the enormous costs that WBAI has incurred they at least are deserved a full account with their comments and critique. Attached is letters and resolutions Unanimous Resolution of the Listeners Attending the WBAI Community Advisory Board Meeting on November 10th, 2013
Ms. Summer Reese
Executive Director Pacifica Foundation
CC: PNB and WBAI LSB
Whereas, we the listener-sponsors of WBAI/Pacifica, are outraged at what is happening at our station; and Whereas the local station board (LSB) has not represented our interests for a long period of time; and Whereas the current crisis is the result of past dysfunction; and Whereas in our most resent fund drive, we listener-sponsors exceeded the targeted goals;
Resolved: That we go on record as opposing any LMA; and Further Resolved: That we demand retention of the General Manager during this crises period; and Further Resolved: That we demand an opened meeting with the LSB to address the future of our station; and Further Resolved: That we demand a meeting with Ms. Summer Reese, Executive Director, on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 7:00 P.M., at 388 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11217.
The following Listener-Sponsors were among those attending:
Marilyn Voyt-Downey * Carl Makower * Tarun Kranadas * James Sagurton Nicolas Chango * David Suker * Jonathan Weil * Elton Owusu Kenneth Porter * Ronald Fecher * Patrick Robinson * Nenette Knpke Roberth Hennlly * Susan Hues * M. VanderHeyden * Adam Korany Saint – Clair Jackson * Anita Luftig * Louise Lessard * Kyle Scott Mitxchel Cohxen * Bob Levis * John Foust * Marianita Damari Len Kleinman * Matt Mazza * Lucio Cacharani * Nia Knowell Deb Russell Brown * Boukan Collins * Dr. Beg
November 18, 2013
Dear Summer,
We are responding to the news that you want to fire Berthold Reimers as General Manager of WBAI. According to Pacifica procedures there are two other parties involved in the decision to replace a General Manager: the Local Station Board and the National Board. As these two boards undertake their evaluation of Berthold’s work, we would like to contribute to the process by offering our observations. But first we want to address our comments to you. We feel that your decision to replace Berthold must have been based on a distorted view of his performance resulting from a lopsided reliance on input from his detractors.
As you are well aware, the GM’s responsibilities include at least three different money-related jobs: Chief Financial Officer, controller, and bookkeeper (not to mention data entry clerk). It is Berthold’s responsibility to make financial projections; to pay bills on time, to document everything and provide reports to the ED, PNB and LSB. Berthold does all of this, sometimes even without the information he needs from above (Pacifica) and below (reconciled bank statements). In the absence of sufficient staff, he has even devised makeshift controls and checks to protect the integrity of WBAI’s finances.
Operationally, Berthold’s heaviest responsibility is the planning and organization of fund-drives and premiums. He collects and analyzes an enormous amount of data, studying past performance to determine which premiums to place at what time-slots for maximum revenue. He monitors this daily during fund-drives and makes adjustments as needed. Berthold has to plan, maintain and monitor inventory of premiums, coordinating their acquisition and distribution despite uncertain cash flow and limited personnel. Of course there are still problems and many justifiable complaints, but it should be acknowledged that the premium situation has improved significantly during Berthold’s tenure.
Berthold has also made it his priority to develop new revenue sources. Under his watch, the WBAI Buddy program has grown dramatically, now bringing in nearly $14,000/month. This program also requires continual monitoring and analysis.
The General Manager job clearly requires mastery of the use and interface of numerous specialized software programs—financial, subscriber and inventory—not to mention Excel. Berthold is very good at this. Indeed there seems to be little disagreement about Berthold’s strengths as a spreadsheet guy. In fact, one of his main critics identifies this as a shortcoming, arguing that Berthold is “just a spreadsheet guy.” What is not generally understood is how absolutely vital this is. Without the acquisition, management, manipulation and analysis of data, it would be impossible to make the daily, weekly, monthly and longer-term decisions and projections necessary to run the station.
Whoever manages WBAI must be a spreadsheet guy, and we have been lucky during this difficult period to have a very good one at the helm. But Berthold is not “just” a spreadsheet guy.
The GM must also be a “people person.” Berthold has to maintain good relations with many “outsiders”: City College, key vendors, the landlord, allies and media. But most of all, managing WBAI means dealing with countless “insiders”—producers, LSB and PNB members, staff, volunteers and listeners—in a tense environment fraught with nasty factional fighting. Somehow Berthold has been able to work with everyone, often bridging the divide between factions. This is no small matter.
We think it is important to point out that Berthold has not only maintained good relations with many of the laid-off staff; he has also been able to recruit, manage and inspire volunteers to accomplish work once done by paid staff. Berthold’s detractors complain in a general way about his communication skills, but this criticism, we feel, would be more constructive if rendered more specific. Berthold would welcome an opportunity to meet with his critics to listen to their specific concerns so that he can focus on areas where he needs to improve. In the meantime, Berthold cannot regularly speak with every producer on a one-to-one basis; nor can he meet with every listener who shows up at the office demanding his time and attention. Members of the LSB are sometimes understandably frustrated due to lack of information, especially financial information, they feel should be forthcoming from the General Manager. Often, however, the information or reports they seek require key components from Pacifica that are not even available to Berthold himself.
It is rarely mentioned that Berthold speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Creole and French. This gives him an inestimable advantage in communicating with New York’s diverse population of listeners and supporters. Despite the relentless pressure on Berthold to focus on the short-term unavoidable issues and problems facing the station, he has nonetheless carved out time (by working very long hours) to consider the long-term as well:
** He is always open to new initiatives that will broaden our audience—demographically, nationally and internationally.
** Berthold has been especially attentive to seeking out and mentoring younger people to apprentice at the station. ** In keeping with Pacifica’s mission, Berthold has reestablished long-dormant relationships with nearly a dozen off-Broadway groups.
** When Berthold realized that there were still thirty years of WBAI on analog tapes, he facilitated their digitalization and transfer to Pacifica Archives.
** He has encouraged and facilitated a wide range of fundraisers that bring in much-needed cash and also promote the station in different communities.
On top of all this, over the past twelve months the station has moved TWICE. Berthold planned and coordinated both of these moves and dealt with all of the logistical and communication problems inherent in the process. It was not flawless, but it was pretty damn good.
None of this is to say that the situation is satisfactory. We recognize that the station desperately needs serious attention to programming and marketing, and people with those backgrounds and skills to complement Berthold’s talents and strengths. Ideally we would have three different people: a GM, Program Director and a Marketing/PR Director, but for now we don’t have the money. In the meantime, Berthold has been concentrating on what ABSOLUTELY has to be done to keep the station afloat. WBAI has survived (barely) for many months without a Program Director, but the station could not survive a month without “a spreadsheet guy.”
You have given WBAI tremendous support this past year at huge personal sacrifice, Summer, and for this we are very grateful. Thanks to you and to Berthold and to the continued support of our listeners, the station has been steadily recovering. But it is far from stable, and the transition to a sustainable footing is still in a delicate phase. All the more reason, we think, to not jeopardize WBAI’s survival by jettisoning a tried-and-true manager. With all of the layoffs, Berthold is responsible for at least six different jobs at this point. He has demonstrated the versatility, flexibility and diplomacy required to run the station during protracted crises. He can manage despite the infighting. This combination of skills and talents is not easy to come by. Why would we give it up?
Sincerely, James Sagurton (New Jersey) Najee Sabir (New Jersey) Bob Levis (Manhattan) Dani Lamar (Brooklyn) Melissa Ennen (Brooklyn) Jim Dingeman (Manhattan) Mitchel Cohen (Brooklyn)
This is a post from Tracy Rosenberg
Hi Jim,
Here are my answers. I understand they may not be adequate. I do not have direct access to the books at WBAI.
What is the exact grand total of debt owed by Pacifica ?
I have not seen an accounts payable document since the spring of 2012. At that time, the total debts were about 1.6 million, about 1.2 million at the national office, about 200K at WBAI and the remainder divided between KPFA and WPFW. KPFK and KPFT were largely debt-free at that time. The majority of the national office debt was to Democracy Now and at that time totaled about $800,000. $100,000 was owed to FSRN, and the balance was largely owed to attorneys, primarily KPFA labor lawyers and the White and Hicks cases. I have recently received a legal bills breakdown and can confirm that the Hicks case has been largely paid, there is still a large unpaid balance in the White case of approximately $90,000 and KPFA has legal bills of $120,000 or so remaining unpaid. My understanding is that Democracy Now is probably owed around 1.4 million by now, and FSRN, as we know is owed $200,000. I don't believe there are any other large outstanding debts.
What is the contribution of WBAI in specifics in regards to this ?
WBAI has not paid more than 1/2 of its shared services portion for most of the past decade. Usually it has not even paid a quarter. Had WBAI been able to do so, the amount missing would have more than covered all of the outstanding debt as the book receivable to the national office from WBAI is more than $3.5 million dollars (over 12 years). Essentially, although all of the stations are financially tight at this time, the Pacifica debt problem is the cost of subsidizing WBAI's operations and "waiving" their share of the network expenses pretty much since the beginning of democratization. The financial structure for the network depends on expense-sharing. When one station consistently does not pay their share, the structure does not hold. Even 1/2 of the unpaid amount would have prevented the significant assumption of debt, but for political reasons, no PNB and no executive director felt able to cut WBAI's costs significantly over the year.
People want to know what are the specifics of the money owed to DN? What is the role of WBAI in all this?
See above. I do want to say the 2nd Democracy Now contract, which was signed on the identical terms to the first contract, was a negligent act by Ambrose Lane, corporate counsel Dan Siegel and the 2007 PNB that paid no attention to the significant decline in DN pledges nor to Pacifica's needs to invest in equipment and technology to stay relevant and competitive in the media landscape. Had WBAI been able to pay its portion of shared services, there is still a statement that $600,000 annually to DN may not have been the best use of money. However, WBAI largely did not pay shared services and Pacifica used the other stations share to cover the DN payments for as long as it could and when that became impossible because overall revenues started to slip, finally began to default on the payments to DN, largely in 2010 when KPFA stopped paying shared services as well due to operating deficits and the foundation posted its largest ever operating loss.
What is the amount of money owed to the NO from WBAI as regards to payment into Central Services?
The books say $3.5 million. I do not know how far back that balance sheet is going, but my guess would be it is to 2002.
How long has the non payment of the money to Central Services going on? How much has been owed by WBAI over a period of time? Is it ten years? 15 years what is the actual number?
From my understanding, in 2002, when the iPNB took over, the books largely had to be recreated, so I don't know that I am in a position to say anything about pre-2002 operations. If it helps any, at that time Pacifica had a much larger debt of close to $6 million dollars and was able to negotiate it down and pay off virtually all of it, so it is not impossible to climb out of a hole. What one needs to do is stop making it bigger. I am going to say $3.5 million over 12 years. I am not swearing as to the accuracy of that figure, but I am providing it as my best estimate. I will also say that half of it and fiscal stabilization going forwards would entirely mitigate the debt problem and the rest needs to be considered water under the bridge as it is simply the operating reserves we should have and don't and the investments in equipment and upgrades that we should have made but didn't.
Is the amount of money outstanding that is owed mainly due to WBAI?
Yes. KPFA played a role in 2009 and 2010 by running large deficits, but that was somewhat mitigated by their cash reserve and it was not until they spent up all that money and started defaulting on shared services to pay their bills that it impacted the rest of the network. The deficit spending was corrected on the fall of 2010 and back shared services paid in installments from Jan of 2011 to June of 2012. KPFK and KPFT have largely paid for themselves, although both stations do run small deficits from time to time. WPFW has sometimes added to the debts, but since the scale of the station is small, it has only made a small contribution compared to WBAI which is twice as large and runs much larger deficits. So I would have to say that yes it is mainly due to WBAI.
How has that money owed tracked over the years and what discussion or policy discussed to deal with it?
That's a harder question. One of the reasons Lonnie Hicks was removed as the CFO in January of 2009 was a perception that he was covering up the extent of the subsidies to WBAI. While I had no access to any PNB materials prior to 2010, I suspect that is true as many people that I knew on the board at that time profess to be surprised by what now seems to be common knowledge. The convention of releasing financial statements with the supposition that shared services payments are made (accrual accounting) contributes to the lack of clarity and Pacifica may want to consider a move to a cash accounting system if and when there is a competent CFO. In 2008, a balloon loan was proposed by Save KPFA'er Sherry Gendelman, then an interim ED, that would have provided an infusion of cash in return for a mortgage on KPFK's building and a large multi-million dollar payment due in 2013. It was defeated by one vote. Had it been approved, KPFK's building would have been repossessed earlier this year. Many people think that proposal was an admission that subsidizing WBAI on incoming receipts was about to fail. As it did. Grace Aaron hoped that management changes at WBAI implemented in the spring of 2009 would turn things around, but while they did improve slightly, it was not enough to compensate for the crazy fixed expenses and the station continued to lose money every year.
How is the outstanding debt impacting on policy?
The finance committee tried to acknowledge reality in 2011 and "officially" sanctioned WBAI to pay only 9.5% in shared services instead of 19.5% and trimmed the national office budget accordingly. That is part of the reason the overall deficit in 2011 was the smallest of the last five years at $600,000. We were optimistic about WBAI in 2012 (as revenue had been trending upward), but unfortunately the hurricane pitched WBAI into a catastrophe with no reserves, and I don't think anyone had any ability to deal with $500,000 just not being there. (The stations are on average presenting $10,000 in surplus - if we're lucky). WBAI did raise money in the spring of 2013 to replace the Fall 2012, but then couldn't continue to raise enough to also pay the spring 2013 expenses, which was the equivalent of two major fund drives back-to-back). The upshot is that whatever you would consider sound financial policy has had to come second to shifting money around constantly to meet emergencies and there are all kinds of reasons why that's a bad way to operate. Costs money, prevents planning, takes up time and leads to mistakes.
If there are documents, great.
I wish. If I did a great document search, I probably could find some helpful things squirreled away over the years, but my time right now doesn't allow for the great search. I hope this email is
reasonably helpful and I will stand by everything I say here.
Best,
Tracy
Who benefits from a PSOA?
Actually, they're now calling it a PSOA (Public Service Operating Agreement) rather than an LMA (Lease Management Agreement). Not sure when the nomenclature changed, or why, but putting that aside, we're now seeing various people advocating a leasing arrangement for WBAI.
This post by one of the WBAI naysayers on the Blue Board pretty much sums up the "for" argument:
> ...WHO ACTUALLY BENEFITS CONCRETELY WITH AN LMA HERE?...
assuming the lessee performs according to contract, pacifica benefits by relieving itself of the risk of continued BAI cash suck. pacifica can use the lease period to hold the license whiled developing a plan for a BAI renaissance, and to accumulate or obtain funding to execute the plan. listeners in the NYC metro will benefit immediately from new programming, and ultimately from a reborn BAI.
>WHO GETS A PAID GIG?
two WBAI employees, TBD.
> WHO IS RETAINED IN THE STAFF?
up to two, TBD.
> WHAT OPTIONS THAT ARE BEING EXPLORED RETAIN SOME PROGRAMS? >WHICH ONES?
the remaining national program, still announced as ``from pacifica,'' is DN!. other than that, pacifica has no real national identity.
> IS THIS DISCUSSION WHAT IS GOING ON ALREADY AND FOR QUITE SOME TIME????
we don't know what goes on in those numerous executive sessions.
> What gives?
the capacity to support BAI nonsense and malfeasance gave out.
Our thoughts on the subject:
Why would a PSOA be desirable?
Because a PSOA can do for WBAI what WBAI cannot do for itself.
What is that?
A PSOA can run commercials. WBAI is not allowed to run commercials because of rules that regulate Pacifica stations. Pacifica has to lease out WBAI to a third party in order to do that.
Don't we see the hypocrisy here? Or at least the irony that a glitch is making all of this necessary in order for WBAI to be "reborn"? Or are we missing something?
This post by one of the WBAI naysayers on the Blue Board pretty much sums up the "for" argument:
> ...WHO ACTUALLY BENEFITS CONCRETELY WITH AN LMA HERE?...
assuming the lessee performs according to contract, pacifica benefits by relieving itself of the risk of continued BAI cash suck. pacifica can use the lease period to hold the license whiled developing a plan for a BAI renaissance, and to accumulate or obtain funding to execute the plan. listeners in the NYC metro will benefit immediately from new programming, and ultimately from a reborn BAI.
>WHO GETS A PAID GIG?
two WBAI employees, TBD.
> WHO IS RETAINED IN THE STAFF?
up to two, TBD.
> WHAT OPTIONS THAT ARE BEING EXPLORED RETAIN SOME PROGRAMS? >WHICH ONES?
the remaining national program, still announced as ``from pacifica,'' is DN!. other than that, pacifica has no real national identity.
> IS THIS DISCUSSION WHAT IS GOING ON ALREADY AND FOR QUITE SOME TIME????
we don't know what goes on in those numerous executive sessions.
> What gives?
the capacity to support BAI nonsense and malfeasance gave out.
Our thoughts on the subject:
Why would a PSOA be desirable?
Because a PSOA can do for WBAI what WBAI cannot do for itself.
What is that?
A PSOA can run commercials. WBAI is not allowed to run commercials because of rules that regulate Pacifica stations. Pacifica has to lease out WBAI to a third party in order to do that.
Don't we see the hypocrisy here? Or at least the irony that a glitch is making all of this necessary in order for WBAI to be "reborn"? Or are we missing something?
Monday, November 18, 2013
Special Pacifica National Broadcasts on WBAI
The Pacifica National Office will be preempting all daily WBAI programming on Thursday, November 21st as well as the following day, Friday, November 22nd. Friday's programming will focus on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Friday's programming will start at 9 AM and will last until 5 PM that day.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Summer Reese visits WBAI: the plot thickens
Once you get past the humorous parts of these interactions, there's some serious stuff to consider at the end.
A letter from Steve Brown to MC, bearing today's date.
First, the letter to which he is responding:
If the interim Executive Director (until she signs the contract) wants to meet with the WBAI LSB, she could at the very least email a message to the LSB Secretary or any of the officers. I'm certainly not going to jump through hoops for her and start scrambling all over the place just because she imperially snaps her fingers and expects the moon to blow her kisses.
On the other hand, if the WBAI LSB wants the officers to set up an emergency meeting with Summer Reese for Tuesday, say, and IF the other officers agree on the date, I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now.
HOWEVER, I absolutely refuse to approve of an official emergency meeting of the Board if she will only meet in Executive Session with the LSB, and will not first meet in public session with the listeners and staff.
Mitchel Cohen
Former WBAI LSB Chair
_______________________________________________
Steve Brown's response to Mitchel Cohen
Dear Mitchel –
Yesterday night, Pacifica Executive Director Summer Reese got off a plane from California after an emergency flight to New York, which she had evidently felt it necessary to undertake in order to address two urgent matters:
(1) the status of WBAI’s general manager, and (2) what steps (if any) the national board had taken with regard to a possible Lease Management Agreement for the station. The moment Summer got off the plane, she sent a polite message asking if the LSB would make time to meet with her, at its convenience, to discuss these important matters, both to inform the LSB of the national board’s thinking, as well as receive the thinking of the LSB. She asked that her meeting with the LSB take place in executive session, because the discussion would touch on contractual issues and personnel matters that were legally privileged and could not be discussed in a public forum. This seemed to me both reasonable and proper.
How did the LSB respond? I did not see any response – not from the Chair of the LSB or its Vice Chair or from any of its elected members. But what I did see was a response from you, appended below. This response seemed to hijack and short-circuit the prerogatives of the elected Local Station Board, even though you are not an elected member of this board, and had not been delegated by it to speak on its behalf to the executive director.
So unless I missed the “Mitchel Cohen Special Privilege Clause” in the Pacifica’s bylaws, I do not think you have either the legal right or the moral authority to issue ultimatums to the executive director, especially in such a snide and bossy tone of voice, as if you were berating a lazy serf who had failed to polish your boots to the precise level of glossy perfection that your position merited. I call particular attention to the passage in your email below, in which you draw yourself up on your tippy toes and announce to Summer Reese, in the petulant tones of a thwarted 3-year-old: “I'm certainly not going to jump through hoops for her and start scrambling all over the place just because she imperially snaps her fingers and expects the moon to blow her kisses.”
Then, to really show her who is boss, you add: “I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now” – as if inviting the executive director to meet with the LSB were your prerogative (and as if your righteous thunder against her was not so transparently and pathetically the result of your hurt pride at not having your emails and phone calls answered, as if our executive director had nothing else to do but sit wistfully by her phone waiting for you to call and invite her to the prom).
Finally, as if you were the Pope making an announcement ex Cathedra, you conclude with this presumptuous ultimatum: “HOWEVER, I absolutely refuse to approve of an official emergency meeting of the Board if she will only meet in Executive Session with the LSB, and will not first meet in public session with the listeners and staff.”
May I humbly point out that you do not have the right, let alone the power, to make official demands on the executive director – certainly not the right to “absolutely refuse to approve of an official emergency meeting of the Board.” As a non-LSB member, you simply cannot parade about as if you were speaking for and reflecting the will of the LSB (which it must be said has not done much speaking nor demonstrated much of a will in the past year or more).
I can understand your frustration over the difficulties at WBAI and Pacifica, Mitcxxhel. But you are not a member of the PNB, and not a member of the LSB, and not a member of station staff. Yes, you are a listener, and as such you certainly do have a right -- even a duty – to speak out for what you believe to be the best interests of WBAI. But you do not have the right to pretend to speak for the LSB, or make it appear that you do. My suggestion – and I have no more than the right to suggest – is that you try and adopt a more courteous tone with those who might not share your views. A little more humility might also serve you well in making your recommendations, many of which are sensible and in a saner station environment would have long ago been adopted.
Regards,
Stephen M Brown
_______________________________________________
Mitchel Cohen's response
Steve Brown has maliciously taken a private email I'd written to the private LSB list, and posted a decontextualized portion of it publicly. What he fails to mention -- and no one would otherwise know (since it was a private email) -- is that not only was I not addressing Summer Reese as he claims, but I was responding to Carolyn Birden in what was supposed to be a confidential discussion. So there was no insult addressed to Summer as he states.
Additionally, Steve selectively removed what I'd actually written to give the impression that I would refuse to abide by the LSB's wishes and call a meeting of the LSB this week to meet with Summer Reese. Steve says that I wrote: "I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now".
Steve then snidely (though colorfully) remarks, "as if inviting the executive director to meet with the LSB were your prerogative (and as if your righteous thunder against her was not so transparently and pathetically the result of your hurt pride at not having your emails and phone calls answered, as if our executive director had nothing else to do but sit wistfully by her phone waiting for you to call and invite her to the prom)." First of all, I did not see the email containing Summer's message that was passed along to me by Frank Lefever until 3 a.m., after subwaying home to Bensonhurst after meetings (and food) all night.
My complaint that she cut me off her "response list" months and months ago is not one of hurt pride (come on, Steve, who the *^$% cares?!) but of her failure to write to me directly as Secretary of the LSB -- her job! -- so that I could timely communicate with the rest of the Board. Equally important is Steve's inference made by intentionally deleting the key part of the sentence he quotes from me. See if my restoring of what Steve deleted changes its meaning for you (I underline the part that Steve deleted): "If the WBAI LSB wants the officers to set up an emergency meeting with Summer Reese for Tuesday, say, and IF the other officers agree on the date, I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now." In other words, if the LSB wants me to set up the meeting with the still-interim Executive Director, I -- as Secretary -- would do so.
So what's really going on? Summer Reese has apparently come to town primarily to REMOVE BERTHOLD REIMERS as General Manager. She cannot legally do so without the LSB considering the question. If the LSB considers it but turns her down, then she is legally bound to take it to the PNB and obtain the national board's approval -- or else, she is not allowed to fire Berthold. Steve knows this. Thus, his support for her demand for a meeting in Executive Session, to get that process started. Summer wants to lease out the station, and removing Berthold is a necessary step. And is fearful of facing the public about that.
She is collaborating in that with one of WBAI's elected Directors to the PNB, Carolyn Birden. Along the way they have fooled or convinced two of WBAI's other Directors, Manijeh Saba and Janet Coleman, into going along with their destructive scheme, which would mean the end of WBAI. Steve Brown is cynically latching on because he wants Berthold Reimers out as GM, whom he criticizes for not doing many necessary things over the last few years. I agree with much of Steve's criticisms of management (although I think Berthold has greatly improved, does an enormous amount of work, and could lead us out of the mess we're now in).
But firing Berthold and bringing in a "turn-around" expert as a prelude to a lease arrangement, which will become a prelude to selling the station outright, will not fix things. Additionally, there is absolutely no financial reason for Berthold to be fired and for Pacifica to be considering a leasing arrangement. WBAI just completed a successful fund drive. We have decreased costs by moving out of Wall Street (* - See below) and by (very sadly) laying off 3/4 of the paid staff. We reduced costs by $1.1 million, and with the exception of a lump-payment of $225,000 for severance to those who were laid off, we've caught up with most of the current bills. However, we need 5 or 6 months for those reduced costs to kick in. Basically, this means that we need Pacifica to loan us TIME.
We have a number of fundraising events scheduled. Last week's Pete Seeger/David Amram/Tiokosin Ghost Horse concert netted WBAI around $10,000. There are also two bequests that WBAI anticipates receiving, one of close to $100,000 from our wonderful friend Jim Krivo, who died a few months ago. The other from a wealthy benefactor who left WBAI more than $1,000,000 but whose Will is tied up in court. We're also expecting around $25,000 more over the next months from pledges that were made but not yet paid, and a large grant -- I think it's around $170,000 -- from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. MORE than enough to sustain us through the next 4 or 5 months, in addition to the upcoming winter fund drive.
If Pacifica would just allow us the time, I have no doubt whatsoever that WBAI could stand on its own 99.5 feet in a few months. So why the rush to cut off its head NOW and review the leasing roposals NOW?
Could it be that the moment Summer Reese signs the papers to become the new Executive Director she loses her seat on the Pacifica National Board, and who knows where things will lead on the National Board?
Is WBAI being used opportunistically as a political football in some other scheming factional nightmare? I think that that's at least part of what's going on, why the rush is happening. It's simply awful. And for WBAI's Directors to not understand that we are being used that way, and that Berthold is the "collateral damage" in the wider scheme, is tragic.
It's all about those HERE who have given up on saving WBAI and who want to lease it out for 5 - 8 years; those from Berkeley who want to sell WBAI outright and apply those receipts to their own stations, which are doing as poorly as WBAI, or even worse, and could use the money; and those of us like myself and the vast majority of listeners and staff who understand that the importance of holding onto and improving this listener-sponsored, non-commercial, free speech, anti-war radio station far outweighs the personal frustrations and factional slights that have made them bitter fools and stripped them not only of their vision of WBAI's potential, but of WBAI's ACTUAL and greatly improved financial situation.
Mitchel Cohen
former Chair of the WBAI Local Station Board,
and currently Secretary of the WBAI LSB
* Note: Carolyn Birden and others argued vehemently in the Summer of 2012 for remaining at the Wall Street location for another three years, and condemned me for even looking for other spaces, claiming I was undermining then-Executive Director Arlene Engelhardt's "master plan" -- there was none! So when I met with the owner of the building on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn in which WBAI now resides and proposed that WBAI move there, the resistance was palpable. That resistance cost WBAI a pretty penny; if it were not for Hurricane Sandy forcing WBAI to move from Wall Street, we would have been forced to close up shop altogether. But many persisted against that bureaucratic wall. Alex Steinberg (a fellow Brooklynite) and I set up meetings between the Atlantic Avenue building's owner and the new iED, Summer Reese, and, separately, with Berthold Reimers. We walked them around the neighborhood. They liked the building and negotiations began. The Manhattanites were none-too-thrilled. But this is not mostly about stuck-up Manhattan vs. working class Brooklyn -- that's real, but only a tiny part.
A letter from Steve Brown to MC, bearing today's date.
First, the letter to which he is responding:
If the interim Executive Director (until she signs the contract) wants to meet with the WBAI LSB, she could at the very least email a message to the LSB Secretary or any of the officers. I'm certainly not going to jump through hoops for her and start scrambling all over the place just because she imperially snaps her fingers and expects the moon to blow her kisses.
On the other hand, if the WBAI LSB wants the officers to set up an emergency meeting with Summer Reese for Tuesday, say, and IF the other officers agree on the date, I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now.
HOWEVER, I absolutely refuse to approve of an official emergency meeting of the Board if she will only meet in Executive Session with the LSB, and will not first meet in public session with the listeners and staff.
Mitchel Cohen
Former WBAI LSB Chair
_______________________________________________
Steve Brown's response to Mitchel Cohen
Dear Mitchel –
Yesterday night, Pacifica Executive Director Summer Reese got off a plane from California after an emergency flight to New York, which she had evidently felt it necessary to undertake in order to address two urgent matters:
(1) the status of WBAI’s general manager, and (2) what steps (if any) the national board had taken with regard to a possible Lease Management Agreement for the station. The moment Summer got off the plane, she sent a polite message asking if the LSB would make time to meet with her, at its convenience, to discuss these important matters, both to inform the LSB of the national board’s thinking, as well as receive the thinking of the LSB. She asked that her meeting with the LSB take place in executive session, because the discussion would touch on contractual issues and personnel matters that were legally privileged and could not be discussed in a public forum. This seemed to me both reasonable and proper.
How did the LSB respond? I did not see any response – not from the Chair of the LSB or its Vice Chair or from any of its elected members. But what I did see was a response from you, appended below. This response seemed to hijack and short-circuit the prerogatives of the elected Local Station Board, even though you are not an elected member of this board, and had not been delegated by it to speak on its behalf to the executive director.
So unless I missed the “Mitchel Cohen Special Privilege Clause” in the Pacifica’s bylaws, I do not think you have either the legal right or the moral authority to issue ultimatums to the executive director, especially in such a snide and bossy tone of voice, as if you were berating a lazy serf who had failed to polish your boots to the precise level of glossy perfection that your position merited. I call particular attention to the passage in your email below, in which you draw yourself up on your tippy toes and announce to Summer Reese, in the petulant tones of a thwarted 3-year-old: “I'm certainly not going to jump through hoops for her and start scrambling all over the place just because she imperially snaps her fingers and expects the moon to blow her kisses.”
Then, to really show her who is boss, you add: “I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now” – as if inviting the executive director to meet with the LSB were your prerogative (and as if your righteous thunder against her was not so transparently and pathetically the result of your hurt pride at not having your emails and phone calls answered, as if our executive director had nothing else to do but sit wistfully by her phone waiting for you to call and invite her to the prom).
Finally, as if you were the Pope making an announcement ex Cathedra, you conclude with this presumptuous ultimatum: “HOWEVER, I absolutely refuse to approve of an official emergency meeting of the Board if she will only meet in Executive Session with the LSB, and will not first meet in public session with the listeners and staff.”
May I humbly point out that you do not have the right, let alone the power, to make official demands on the executive director – certainly not the right to “absolutely refuse to approve of an official emergency meeting of the Board.” As a non-LSB member, you simply cannot parade about as if you were speaking for and reflecting the will of the LSB (which it must be said has not done much speaking nor demonstrated much of a will in the past year or more).
I can understand your frustration over the difficulties at WBAI and Pacifica, Mitcxxhel. But you are not a member of the PNB, and not a member of the LSB, and not a member of station staff. Yes, you are a listener, and as such you certainly do have a right -- even a duty – to speak out for what you believe to be the best interests of WBAI. But you do not have the right to pretend to speak for the LSB, or make it appear that you do. My suggestion – and I have no more than the right to suggest – is that you try and adopt a more courteous tone with those who might not share your views. A little more humility might also serve you well in making your recommendations, many of which are sensible and in a saner station environment would have long ago been adopted.
Regards,
Stephen M Brown
_______________________________________________
Mitchel Cohen's response
Steve Brown has maliciously taken a private email I'd written to the private LSB list, and posted a decontextualized portion of it publicly. What he fails to mention -- and no one would otherwise know (since it was a private email) -- is that not only was I not addressing Summer Reese as he claims, but I was responding to Carolyn Birden in what was supposed to be a confidential discussion. So there was no insult addressed to Summer as he states.
Additionally, Steve selectively removed what I'd actually written to give the impression that I would refuse to abide by the LSB's wishes and call a meeting of the LSB this week to meet with Summer Reese. Steve says that I wrote: "I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now".
Steve then snidely (though colorfully) remarks, "as if inviting the executive director to meet with the LSB were your prerogative (and as if your righteous thunder against her was not so transparently and pathetically the result of your hurt pride at not having your emails and phone calls answered, as if our executive director had nothing else to do but sit wistfully by her phone waiting for you to call and invite her to the prom)." First of all, I did not see the email containing Summer's message that was passed along to me by Frank Lefever until 3 a.m., after subwaying home to Bensonhurst after meetings (and food) all night.
My complaint that she cut me off her "response list" months and months ago is not one of hurt pride (come on, Steve, who the *^$% cares?!) but of her failure to write to me directly as Secretary of the LSB -- her job! -- so that I could timely communicate with the rest of the Board. Equally important is Steve's inference made by intentionally deleting the key part of the sentence he quotes from me. See if my restoring of what Steve deleted changes its meaning for you (I underline the part that Steve deleted): "If the WBAI LSB wants the officers to set up an emergency meeting with Summer Reese for Tuesday, say, and IF the other officers agree on the date, I will be delighted to again invite the suddenly taciturn iED to a meeting at a reasonable time and place, even though she seems to have blocked my emails and phone calls for at least 3 months, now." In other words, if the LSB wants me to set up the meeting with the still-interim Executive Director, I -- as Secretary -- would do so.
So what's really going on? Summer Reese has apparently come to town primarily to REMOVE BERTHOLD REIMERS as General Manager. She cannot legally do so without the LSB considering the question. If the LSB considers it but turns her down, then she is legally bound to take it to the PNB and obtain the national board's approval -- or else, she is not allowed to fire Berthold. Steve knows this. Thus, his support for her demand for a meeting in Executive Session, to get that process started. Summer wants to lease out the station, and removing Berthold is a necessary step. And is fearful of facing the public about that.
She is collaborating in that with one of WBAI's elected Directors to the PNB, Carolyn Birden. Along the way they have fooled or convinced two of WBAI's other Directors, Manijeh Saba and Janet Coleman, into going along with their destructive scheme, which would mean the end of WBAI. Steve Brown is cynically latching on because he wants Berthold Reimers out as GM, whom he criticizes for not doing many necessary things over the last few years. I agree with much of Steve's criticisms of management (although I think Berthold has greatly improved, does an enormous amount of work, and could lead us out of the mess we're now in).
But firing Berthold and bringing in a "turn-around" expert as a prelude to a lease arrangement, which will become a prelude to selling the station outright, will not fix things. Additionally, there is absolutely no financial reason for Berthold to be fired and for Pacifica to be considering a leasing arrangement. WBAI just completed a successful fund drive. We have decreased costs by moving out of Wall Street (* - See below) and by (very sadly) laying off 3/4 of the paid staff. We reduced costs by $1.1 million, and with the exception of a lump-payment of $225,000 for severance to those who were laid off, we've caught up with most of the current bills. However, we need 5 or 6 months for those reduced costs to kick in. Basically, this means that we need Pacifica to loan us TIME.
We have a number of fundraising events scheduled. Last week's Pete Seeger/David Amram/Tiokosin Ghost Horse concert netted WBAI around $10,000. There are also two bequests that WBAI anticipates receiving, one of close to $100,000 from our wonderful friend Jim Krivo, who died a few months ago. The other from a wealthy benefactor who left WBAI more than $1,000,000 but whose Will is tied up in court. We're also expecting around $25,000 more over the next months from pledges that were made but not yet paid, and a large grant -- I think it's around $170,000 -- from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. MORE than enough to sustain us through the next 4 or 5 months, in addition to the upcoming winter fund drive.
If Pacifica would just allow us the time, I have no doubt whatsoever that WBAI could stand on its own 99.5 feet in a few months. So why the rush to cut off its head NOW and review the leasing roposals NOW?
Could it be that the moment Summer Reese signs the papers to become the new Executive Director she loses her seat on the Pacifica National Board, and who knows where things will lead on the National Board?
Is WBAI being used opportunistically as a political football in some other scheming factional nightmare? I think that that's at least part of what's going on, why the rush is happening. It's simply awful. And for WBAI's Directors to not understand that we are being used that way, and that Berthold is the "collateral damage" in the wider scheme, is tragic.
It's all about those HERE who have given up on saving WBAI and who want to lease it out for 5 - 8 years; those from Berkeley who want to sell WBAI outright and apply those receipts to their own stations, which are doing as poorly as WBAI, or even worse, and could use the money; and those of us like myself and the vast majority of listeners and staff who understand that the importance of holding onto and improving this listener-sponsored, non-commercial, free speech, anti-war radio station far outweighs the personal frustrations and factional slights that have made them bitter fools and stripped them not only of their vision of WBAI's potential, but of WBAI's ACTUAL and greatly improved financial situation.
Mitchel Cohen
former Chair of the WBAI Local Station Board,
and currently Secretary of the WBAI LSB
* Note: Carolyn Birden and others argued vehemently in the Summer of 2012 for remaining at the Wall Street location for another three years, and condemned me for even looking for other spaces, claiming I was undermining then-Executive Director Arlene Engelhardt's "master plan" -- there was none! So when I met with the owner of the building on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn in which WBAI now resides and proposed that WBAI move there, the resistance was palpable. That resistance cost WBAI a pretty penny; if it were not for Hurricane Sandy forcing WBAI to move from Wall Street, we would have been forced to close up shop altogether. But many persisted against that bureaucratic wall. Alex Steinberg (a fellow Brooklynite) and I set up meetings between the Atlantic Avenue building's owner and the new iED, Summer Reese, and, separately, with Berthold Reimers. We walked them around the neighborhood. They liked the building and negotiations began. The Manhattanites were none-too-thrilled. But this is not mostly about stuck-up Manhattan vs. working class Brooklyn -- that's real, but only a tiny part.
From Pissed Off WBAI Workers (POWW)
From the Facebook page of Pissed Off WBAI Workers comes this:
Is Berthold Reimers really leaving on November 15? Aaccording to the bylaws, this may not be as cut and dry as anticipated.
"Both the Executive Director and/or an LSB may initiate the process to fire a station General Manager. However, to effectuate it, both the Executive Director and the LSB must agree to fire said General Manager. If the Executive Director and the LSB cannot agree, the decision to terminate or retain said General Manager shall be made by the Board of Directors." (Article Seven, Section 3 D.)
Did y'all really thought that this process would ever be easy? Once again "Doomed by Democracy". I'm so tired of this.
"Both the Executive Director and/or an LSB may initiate the process to fire a station General Manager. However, to effectuate it, both the Executive Director and the LSB must agree to fire said General Manager. If the Executive Director and the LSB cannot agree, the decision to terminate or retain said General Manager shall be made by the Board of Directors." (Article Seven, Section 3 D.)
Did y'all really thought that this process would ever be easy? Once again "Doomed by Democracy". I'm so tired of this.
Then this:
Here it is. The following statement comes from Berthold Reimers as of 4:45 pm Thursday, November 14.
"There have been lots of rumors around my situation at WBAI. Let me clear the waters. I did not resign from my position nor did I intend to leave this position in the near future. I wish to continue in my position indefinitely".
Here it is. The following statement comes from Berthold Reimers as of 4:45 pm Thursday, November 14. "There have been lots of rumors around my situation at WBAI. Let me clear the waters. I did not resign from my position nor did I intend to leave this position in the near future. I wish to continue in my position indefinitely".
BAI doings this weekend
Saturday Nov. 16
Pacific Executive Director Summer Reese will be arriving on Saturday. According to LSB member Frank LeFever:
"I believe she will be meeting with Berthold Reimers. The LSB has not been told that anyone has been fired. It will have an emergency meeting with Summer next week to clarify the situation.
The "LMA" (PSOA) bids and discussions of them in the PNB have scarcely begun. There is still time to persuade a majority of PNB directors that WBAI can sustain itself, once past the immediate speed bump (severance pay, mainly)."
WBAI CAB MEETING ON SUNDAY Nov 17
There will be a WBAI CAB meeting on Sunday , November 17th, starting at 100 PM . A tremendous amount of packing to be done is being organized to get accomplished, some glitches solved and of course we will discuss the LMA option and the implications of the firing of Berthold Reimers, the General Manager.
We will also be delving further into the programming issues…all are welcome. The meeting is open to the public. The station is located at 388 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
Jim Dingeman
DIRECTIONS
388 Atlantic Avenue
(between Hoyt St. & Bond St.)
Brooklyn, NY
Nearest subways: A, C or G to Hoyt Schermerhorn, walk down Hoyt to
Atlantic Avenue, turn Left, 2/3rds of a bloc. Or,
2,3,4,5 to Nevins St., or
N,B,D,Q,R, 2,3,4,5 to Atlantic Avenue - Barclays Arena station. Walk
up Atlantic Avenue 3.3 long blocks. Also,
#63 bus, which goes all the way up 5th Ave. from Bay Ridge, turns
Left onto Atlantic Avenue. Get off at Bond St.
Pacific Executive Director Summer Reese will be arriving on Saturday. According to LSB member Frank LeFever:
"I believe she will be meeting with Berthold Reimers. The LSB has not been told that anyone has been fired. It will have an emergency meeting with Summer next week to clarify the situation.
The "LMA" (PSOA) bids and discussions of them in the PNB have scarcely begun. There is still time to persuade a majority of PNB directors that WBAI can sustain itself, once past the immediate speed bump (severance pay, mainly)."
WBAI CAB MEETING ON SUNDAY Nov 17
There will be a WBAI CAB meeting on Sunday , November 17th, starting at 100 PM . A tremendous amount of packing to be done is being organized to get accomplished, some glitches solved and of course we will discuss the LMA option and the implications of the firing of Berthold Reimers, the General Manager.
We will also be delving further into the programming issues…all are welcome. The meeting is open to the public. The station is located at 388 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
Jim Dingeman
DIRECTIONS
388 Atlantic Avenue
(between Hoyt St. & Bond St.)
Brooklyn, NY
Nearest subways: A, C or G to Hoyt Schermerhorn, walk down Hoyt to
Atlantic Avenue, turn Left, 2/3rds of a bloc. Or,
2,3,4,5 to Nevins St., or
N,B,D,Q,R, 2,3,4,5 to Atlantic Avenue - Barclays Arena station. Walk
up Atlantic Avenue 3.3 long blocks. Also,
#63 bus, which goes all the way up 5th Ave. from Bay Ridge, turns
Left onto Atlantic Avenue. Get off at Bond St.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Steve Brown on Pacifica's debt to Democracy Now!
Letter from Steve Brown
David ---
Nothing I have said should be construed as belittling Democracy Now! or Amy Goodman. Regardless of how much or how little she may fund-raise, DN! is still one of the best shows on the Pacifica network, and should always be broadcast on all 5 stations. My issue is not about her content; it is about her contract.
Amy Goodman is entitled to negotiate the best contractual deal and the highest payment she can get for DN!; but by the same token, Pacifica is also entitled – actually required – to negotiate the best contractual deal and the lowest payment it needs to pay for DN! I do not think that Pacific ever did that. And since all subsequent contract renewals with DN!, after the original signed contract ca. 2001, have been kept secret, it is likely that the terms have gotten worse for Pacifica, not better (or it would have boasted of them, not hidden them).
Right now, Pacifica owes DN! somewhere around $2 million. It is a legal debt, by contract, like it or not. But Pacifica cannot possibly pay off this debt now (or probably ever), given its declining revenues and enfeebled station finances. To put is bluntly, paying that debt would destroy Pacifica as we know it.
So what are Pacifica’s options? It can either negotiate down the DN! debt -- or it can default -- the way Argentina defaulted on its unpayable debts to foreign bankers, and thereby rescued its economy. Or the way I think Rick Wolff and Michael Hudson and Joseph Stiglitz would advise Greece and Spain and Italy and Ireland to default on their debts to foreign bankers, in order to rescue their economies.
But that is up to Summer Reese and the PNB and DN! Are they talking? Who knows? Does Pacifica have a Plan A ... or a Plan B ... or any plan at all? Who knows? Which has always been Pacifica’s problem.
sbrown13@nyc.rr.com
David ---
Nothing I have said should be construed as belittling Democracy Now! or Amy Goodman. Regardless of how much or how little she may fund-raise, DN! is still one of the best shows on the Pacifica network, and should always be broadcast on all 5 stations. My issue is not about her content; it is about her contract.
Amy Goodman is entitled to negotiate the best contractual deal and the highest payment she can get for DN!; but by the same token, Pacifica is also entitled – actually required – to negotiate the best contractual deal and the lowest payment it needs to pay for DN! I do not think that Pacific ever did that. And since all subsequent contract renewals with DN!, after the original signed contract ca. 2001, have been kept secret, it is likely that the terms have gotten worse for Pacifica, not better (or it would have boasted of them, not hidden them).
Right now, Pacifica owes DN! somewhere around $2 million. It is a legal debt, by contract, like it or not. But Pacifica cannot possibly pay off this debt now (or probably ever), given its declining revenues and enfeebled station finances. To put is bluntly, paying that debt would destroy Pacifica as we know it.
So what are Pacifica’s options? It can either negotiate down the DN! debt -- or it can default -- the way Argentina defaulted on its unpayable debts to foreign bankers, and thereby rescued its economy. Or the way I think Rick Wolff and Michael Hudson and Joseph Stiglitz would advise Greece and Spain and Italy and Ireland to default on their debts to foreign bankers, in order to rescue their economies.
But that is up to Summer Reese and the PNB and DN! Are they talking? Who knows? Does Pacifica have a Plan A ... or a Plan B ... or any plan at all? Who knows? Which has always been Pacifica’s problem.
sbrown13@nyc.rr.com
Earthwatch at midnight
Tune to Robert Knight's Earthwatch on WBAI tonight at midnight for: new info about the Trans Pacific Partnership from Wikileaks, plus: taking a look at ObamaScare, plus: a celebration of Lou Reed.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Statement to Summer Reese from WBAI LSB Member John Brinkley
To my LSB colleagues: I urge you to join me in making the following statement to Summer Reese, Pacifica Executive Director, and to the Pacifica National Board.
To Summer Reese, Executive Director of Pacifica:
We strongly protest your blatant violation of the Pacifica bylaws in firing WBAI General Manager Berthold Reimers "Mr. Reimers has confirmed for Local Station Board member John Riley what has become an open secret - that he (Mr. Reimers) was explicitly fired by you, effective November 15."
Article 7, Section 3D of the Pacifica Bylaws clearly lays out the only process allowed for terminating a station’s general manager:
“Both the Executive Director and/or an LSB may initiate the process to fire a station General Manager. However, to effectuate it, both the Executive Director and the LSB must agree to fire said General Manager. If the Executive Director and the LSB cannot agree, the decision to terminate or retain said General Manager shall be made by the Board of Directors.”
The LSB has never received any notice from you requesting Mr. Reimers’ termination or inquiring about any local board decision regarding his removal.
This statement in no way reflects on the merits of the individual who occupies the position of general manager – it is purely a statement of principle that the bylaws must be followed.
We demand that you revoke your bylaws-illegal attempt to terminate Mr. Reimers and allow the proper evaluation process by the LSB to go forward expeditiously.
To Summer Reese, Executive Director of Pacifica:
We strongly protest your blatant violation of the Pacifica bylaws in firing WBAI General Manager Berthold Reimers "Mr. Reimers has confirmed for Local Station Board member John Riley what has become an open secret - that he (Mr. Reimers) was explicitly fired by you, effective November 15."
Article 7, Section 3D of the Pacifica Bylaws clearly lays out the only process allowed for terminating a station’s general manager:
“Both the Executive Director and/or an LSB may initiate the process to fire a station General Manager. However, to effectuate it, both the Executive Director and the LSB must agree to fire said General Manager. If the Executive Director and the LSB cannot agree, the decision to terminate or retain said General Manager shall be made by the Board of Directors.”
The LSB has never received any notice from you requesting Mr. Reimers’ termination or inquiring about any local board decision regarding his removal.
This statement in no way reflects on the merits of the individual who occupies the position of general manager – it is purely a statement of principle that the bylaws must be followed.
We demand that you revoke your bylaws-illegal attempt to terminate Mr. Reimers and allow the proper evaluation process by the LSB to go forward expeditiously.
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