| Statement |
My name is Richard Phelps. I have been actively involved in peace, social
justice and labor activities for over 40 years. I have been a listener/subscriber
for 35 years. I have 5+ years of full time AM/FM radio experience and I have done several programs at KPFA over the years.
See #6 on my candidate questionnaire for details of my extensive experience relevant to serving on the Local Station Board (LSB). I previously served on the LSB and was twice elected Chair. While on the LSB I missed only one meeting when my daughter graduated from college. I have attended many Pacifica National Board (PNB) meetings and have listened on-line to most of the others and have obtained summaries of the meetings I have missed. I have provided free legal consultation to several PNB members from 2004 to present.
What I am about to tell you comes from my heart and my direct knowledge and experience. Some of my allies have told me that it is impolite to be this direct and that I won’t get any votes by telling people the straight truth. My getting elected will mean nothing if we lose KPFA and Pacifica. I am one of those people who believe that “ the truth shall set us free.” I am often the kid who says, “the Emperor has no clothes.” And now I must tell you the naked truth.
Pacifica is in serious financial trouble. KPFA has a $300,000 deficit this year and has gone from 28,000 subscribers to 20,000 in the last five (5) years under the Concerned Listener(CL), formally KPFAForward, supported management group. To see the “insiders” in this group go to http://peoplesradio.net/Dismantle.htm.
During these same 5 years WBAI has lost several hundred thousand dollars a year and is $1,000,000.00 behind in its contributions to Pacifica. WBAI received a three-day notice from its landlord earlier this year, $132, 694.86 behind in rent. Here is a link to that document. http://pacificana.org/public/files/WBAI/Media/2009/3DayNotice.pdf
Who is responsible for bringing Pacifica so close to bankruptcy? The CL management group and the prior WBAI/WPFW managements and LSB majorities protected each other from accountability on the PNB, allowing the red ink to flow at WBAI. Please read this Berkeley Daily Planet article. Here is a link . http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2009-05-14/article/32873?headline=The-Pacifica-Financial-Crisis-Who-is-Responsible-
This same CL group has ignored our democratic Bylaws, eliminated the Program Council and disenfranchised the Unpaid Staff Organization for two years. Here is a link to an article that details their anti-democratic history. Please read: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/07/15/18608185.php
If you do not have computer access call my office and I will mail you copies, (510)268-9919.
The time for change is NOW! We really do risk losing KPFA/Pacifica if CL gets a majority on the LSB again. Both articles can also be read at www.peoplesradio.net Please read and investigate before you vote. Thank you.
Endorsers: Henry Norr, Joe Wanzala and labor activists Jack Heyman and Clarence Thomas. Additional endorsements TBA at www.peoplesradio.net.
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