KCPW's Future
None by Lara Jones
Update: Wasatch Public Media has submitted a revised Letter of Intent to the Board of Community Wireless, which met Tuesday, March 25, to consider all offers. While they had hoped to deliver an answer at the end of more than two hours of deliberation, they've asked for more time. A decision is now expected Thursday, March 27. To learn more about how you can get involved, please go to the WPM website. WPM has received hundreds of letters of support -- which have been crucial in demonstrating the level of community support to keep KCPW as it is.
To recap: Wasatch Public Media is a new non-profit organization formed to acquire KCPW from Community Wireless with the intent of maintaining KCPW’s independent, local news operation in its current format as a National Public Radio affiliate station. Details about the effort Ed Sweeney is leading to continue operating KCPW in its present form at Library Square are available at Wasatch Public Media’s new website --- www.wasatchpublicmedia.org – where you can get involved.
Click here for the February statement from the board of Community Wireless about its decision to sell KCPW.
Email to a friendCopyright 2008 KCPW
1. Jonathan Livingston said:
I've never understood why we need 2 public radio stations - KCPW and KUER. Seems a consolidation would make financial sense.
3. Jason said:
Who will be doing this interview? Lara Jones?
Oh, that's rich. She has a stake in the station's survival.
C'mon KCPW - have a little objectivity.
4. Karl said:
Do you plan on giving other entities interested in buying the station airtime as well?
If Mr. Sweeney is alowed to make his case to KCPW's listeners, then other groups that want to buy the station should be given that opportunity as well.
5. Nardmall said:
Who the hell cares about KCPW and the future?
Your best people have bailed out, leaving behind a crew of mediocre wannabes.
There's no chance it will get better because if it stays the way it is, there won't be any money to hire real talent.
6. Mark Coren said:
I'd be curious to know the background of the naysayers here who are hiding behind aliases rather than identifying themselves as part of an open discussion. If the station were so unworthy, there would be no value to the lurking, sniping and anonymity.
Personally, I have been a listener, contributor, volunteer and overall supporter of KCPW since its early years. Lets consider why:
1) KCPW has continually had the best (and often, only) coverage of local and state politics and many community events. From my experience, they are consistent and receptive to covering a wide range of groups and political organizations across the entire spectrum of perspectives and beliefs.
2) KCPW has been an unequalled channel for communicating with local political leaders in a public forum. Their monthly interviews with the Salt Lake City mayor and Salt Lake County mayor give people (who are willing to take the time) access to leaders in a convenient manner. Their coverage of city, county and state debates and primaries has been excellent, providing candidates with a forum to speak to a much wider audience they would otherwise have in many cases.
3) If I'm not mistaken, the station's mission is to focus on local news and community. As such, they have been fulfilling their mission well, and on-going support of their subscriber base reflects this. Unlike KUER (who I also appreciate for their excellent locally produced programming), KCPW does not have an institutional operator. This gives them a degree of freedom not typically found in institutional broadcasts. It also creates a greater interdependency with their listenership.
4) KCPW has been willing to explore new programming options in combination with NPR mainstays like Morning Edition, Fresh Air and All Things Considered. Some of the new programming has done well, and been embraced by the listeners. Other programs haven't been so well received, and faded into the mist. I would rather be a listener of a station that is vibrant, growing and curious than to listen to a station that mirrors the broadcasts of myriad other NPR stations across the country (especially when those other stations can be streamed...).
5) Working with the Salt Lake City Public Library, KCPW has allowed me to hear many speakers in the Dewey Lecture series whom I otherwise would have missed. I often have other commitments that prevent me from getting to the library on Saturdays when the lectures typically happen. The simulcast provides a great opportunity for me to enjoy these resources.
With regard to the previously posted comments, first I would say that it is a misunderstanding to equate KCPW and KUER. Each serves a very different purpose and audience, and I think that KUER's shift in format speaks volumes to validate KCPW's approach and leadership. I miss the great musical programming that was available on KUER, but I do also enjoy several of the shows that now have more exposure.
As for the ad hominem attacks, why not step up, become a member and have your say in the programming? Maybe go visit the station and express your concerns? There is little credibility or leverage in lurking around semi-anonymously in a forum taking pot-shots at people. Step up and show some leadership if you think others are going astray from what would best serve the community.
Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing an open forum discussion at the library auditorium about different suitors for the assets of the station. The FCC guidelines require that the station remain a nonprofit. My impression is that this narrows the options down to continuing the format the station has now with different ownership, another community resource stepping up, or perhaps a religious broadcaster stepping in. The resources required to develop and perpetuate a radio station are great; the requirements of a community based station are even greater. The loss to the community of KCPW's programming would be huge in my opinion. Ultimately, I think that it is Community Wireless of Park City's decision to make, regardless of what public decorum is expected by others.
Regardless of your views for or against, I think this is a great opportunity for people to step up and discuss the merits of KCPW in particular, and community radio in general. Let's show some leadership ourselves and give some feedback and insights that others may have not yet.
7. LInda Crinshaw said:
I'm a member. I'm a volunteer. Having given thousands of dollars over the years, we received programming changes that just has not made sense, ie. BPP. I've listened to dead air, people who can't read a script.
I really can't believe the situation the station is in right now. Who is minding the store? I feel betrayed for all the hard work we have done, and now the rug is getting pulled our from under our feet.
I pay for public broadcasting with my heavily taxed dollars, contribution and time. I WANT A REFUND and a Class Action.
8. Tory said:
If KUER is thriving, and KCPW is hurting, then it seems the market has spoken.
Maybe KCPW should find Jennifer Naypear Peirce and let her take over the station. She seemed to know what she was doing.
9. Tito Fuentes said:
What's the deal? Can't KCPW make any money? Maybe they're paying their people too much.
I know Blair makes a ton of money, but how much is everyone else making? It's gotta be more than what people make at other public stations around the country.
Plus they've got a pretty sweet setup at the library - isn't that rent free?
They certainly aren't putting the money into technical improvements. Dead air, dead air, dead air.
10. Disappointed said:
What is happening down there? I cannot believe how the station has completely deteriorated. I used to be a devoted listener and volunteer. Where is the experience and professionalism?
11. Mark Coren said:
@ Tito: They are definitely not paying too much to their operating staff from what the documentation seems to show. From what I have been able to determine, payroll is a significant portion of their overall expenses, but barely at market levels, although that's based on my own interpretation of their public filings as a non-profit. To me, it seems to be as much a labor of love and dedication to the community by the staff to work there as it might be a financial or career choice.
Also, I'm pretty sure that their rent is not free... I'm am checking in to that to make sure, but as far as I understand it, any free resources that are offered by the library have to be offered equally to all of the public. I know for a fact that other organizations there pay rent.
From previous experiences that I've had working with commercial radio stations years ago, I'm guessing that the dead air issue hints at a need for more payroll dollars to support additional engineering staff. That is the criticism that I've heard most frequently from my friends, and I'm guessing that this transition will provide breathing room and resources to help alleviate that.
As for Blair's income, he is the founder of Community Wireless. To my knowledge, he will no longer have any direct operational connections to the station if Wasatch Public Media takes over its operations. I'm not going to go rehash the discussions about his compensation because I seem to remember them being discussed elsewhere in the forums here. It seems, though, that any ongoing revenue that he was receiving will be resolved with the sale of the station.
@readers in general: It seems that alot of the comments being posted here are frustrations based on misinformation or a lack of knowledge. I'm going to find and post a list of the links that were useful to me as I've been digging through all of the situation. Hopefully that will help bring more light to the situation so we can have a well-informed discussion about the future. I know KCPW is an important asset to the community, and for me, its important that it continues to be.
12. Chunga said:
They've dug their own hole, now let's see them get out of it. Paying a ton of money to one person who barely, if at all, deserves it.
You reap what you sow.
So long KCPW. It was a nice ride.
13. Jen Milner said:
I agree with Mark. KCPW has taken some risks. Some of them have paid off, and some of them haven't. As a long time supporter and volunteer, I appreciate their willingness to seek out listener opinion and open up to the community. If you really feel that the station needs to change and you want Blair out of the station, now seems like a great time to step up and get involved.
14. LInda Crinshaw said:
Here are a few two word phrases we should remember:
Pledge drivesCommunittee involvementListener OrientedVolunteers needed
RESULTS:
Dead AirStaff LeavingStation SoldFunding mismanaged
SOLUTION:Satelite RadioXM RadioSirus Radio
Is it not time that we get something for our money?
Finally:
Welfare Radio Doesn't work
15. Tamrika khvtisiashvili said:
Although I wanted to stay out of this conversation, I can't help but notice how mean spirited some of the comments are. First of all most of them seem misinformed. People that work and have worked at KCPW are top notch and work extremely hard on much lesser of a salary than most of the listeners of the station. Radio is not necessarily a get rich fast type of a job, it is mostly ran by people that are not only qualified but care deeply about public radio. KCPW has done an amazing job bringing local news though insightful interviews and good reporting. Has it always been perfect? no, of course not. Since when has our local community become so perfect itself as to not appreciate few dedicated individuals bringing yet another source, another choice? And who said that KCPW and KUER can't exist simultaneously. They have both provided much needed services. They have learned from each other and have both copied each other, in a same way as many other locally owned businesses support each other rather than treat each other as direct competition. Did Blair make too much money? yes. Does that mean that people who have actually ran the station have made too much money and haven't done a good job? absolutely not. It is a shame that instead of trying to figure out a solution and congratulate staff that has worked so hard, our first reaction is to attack and wave goodbye. What a sad but common pattern to attack the workers instead of mismanagement of few in power.
16. LInda Crinshaw said:
Would a group of people come in and try and save my place of business if a private corporation were on the rocks? No.
Take responsibility for your actions. The owners, managers, supervisors are culpible plain and simple. The good people who worked at the station did what they could with what they had. Again, you get what you pay for. I paid thousands of dollars, again, thousands.
I have a right to be bitter, I paid dearly for the right!
17. Argyle McSwain said:
If KCPW wasn't in trouble, then why have so many good people left?
Where's Julie Rose? How about the morning guy - Brian Shawd.
They probably bailed out because they saw the writing on the wall.
KCPW=Titanic.
18. Greg Lamb said:
I think KCPW is a vital to the local community. I don't think KCPW should suffer because of poor decisions made by other groups. I will continue to donate to and volunteer for KCPW in the future.
19. LInda Crinshaw said:
I'm happy some people have alot of disposible income and time. They don't call them the "FLOCK" for nothing.
Sub-Prime Loan disaster is a group of folks who made poor decisions that we will all pay for.
Savings and Loan disaster is a group of folks who made poor descision that we ARE paying for.
Get behind KUER with funding and volunteering. Make this a flagship station. Its better to have one great station than 2 competing each other. I'm not filling up the gas tank of another Mercedes-Benz in the parking lot of KCPW. ENOUGH! KCPW has jumped the Shark!
20. LInda Crinshaw said:
Now is the time to join with KUER.
With your support, they can put KCPW out of its misery, and become a stronger station.
It's time to put the diseased dog of KCPW down for the good of radio in Salt Lake City.
KCPW responds: KCPW has tried to contact "LInda" to address her concerns but has been unsuccessful. Despite LInda's claim to be both a volunteer and donor of thousands of dollars, we have no record of her in our database, which goes back to 1994. While we support a healthy dialogue about the future of the station, it is clear that posters like LInda have no interest in helping us claim our independence from the management that she so clearly rails against. KCPW's general number is (801) 359-5279. A list of email contacts can be found here.
Regarding the departure of long-time staff: Julie Rose took a job at another NPR station late last year. We miss her greatly and wish her well. Bryan Schott was offered an incredible opportunity in emerging media. While the timing was unfortunate, we wish him well, too. As a consequence, we are in rebuilding mode. Typically, new people are trained overnight and on weekends. We have never had the budget to do so.
Regarding our technical difficulties: Yes, we have issues relating to computers and our satellite service that cause breaks in program feeds. It's due in large part to the fact that we share these assets with KPCW. We need to have our own satellite in Salt Lake City. It is currently located in Park City. In an automated media world, there no longer remains the budget to keep a person in the building 24/7. It isn't cost effective. This causes problems when we have technical difficulties. We will gain greater technical control -- if Wasatch Public Media is successful in its bid to acquire KCPW.
20. Mark Coren said:
@"Linda": I'm wondering, if your experience with the station was so unsatisfactory, why did you continue to contribute "thousands and thousands" of dollars for so long? There are very few people who are able to do so with any non-profit, so I'm sure you would be well-known to the staff and management. I can only conclude that this is a disingenuous attempt to skew an otherwise constructive discussion.
Thanks to everyone else for reaching out so vigorously to support the station! I've been overwhelmed by the support of the station that I've been hearing when I talk about this with my friends and coworkers. I'm looking forward to the moment where we are be talking how to follow up a successful support campaign :)
21. LInda Crinshaw said:
The comments under POSTING 20 are not mine. Specifically about joining KUER and supporting them. I did not post them. However I am pleased that the station did weight in and provide some feedback, thank you.
RE: Mark, you can stop 'wondering'. If you think this forum is a constructive discussion, I suggest you evaluate your assessment before posting.
I knew that KUER would look my name up and use it publicly. As a founding member of WHAD and WUWM in Wisconsin my foundation in Public radio is well rooted. My donations have spanned decades for both PBS and NRP stations. Our donations have consistantly been given in numerous ways, including corporate. By bringing up my screen name only confirms the length the station will go to make their case. As an anonymous donor, I didn't want the forum to become personal, it appears that was to much to ask for.
Asking me why I still contributed to the station is moot. In your own words your thanking people who have responded to you, and are 'overwhelmed by the support'. Dedicated people usually put their money were their mouth is. I have. I did. I'm done.
I'd suggest your a big advocate of train travel, fedoras, Oldsmobiles, US Mail and HI-FI's. While there is nothing wrong with that, the future is about taking a good idea and making it better, not holding onto one until its idea has run its course.
Mark, your attempt to persuade is honorable, its your conclusions that needs some help.
22. Bob said:
Shame on Community Wireless. Shame on the Board of Trustees of Community Wireless. Shame on Blair Feulner of whom I had the highest respect.
This station is my home, where I listen to local news and get my news. To not listen to Ed Sweeny and take his offer is to purchase the station despicable.
http://blogs.sltrib.com/slcrawler/After he did his best to work towards meeting your requirements to maintain a Salt Lake institution.
You should be ashamed.
23. The Voiceless Listener said:
Thank you Bob.
At least we now know that it is not public good that Community Wireless is after. It is almighty dollar
After money makes the world go round.
24. Mike Dropkin said:
Let's cut right to the black-heart of the matter. Blair Feulner is the legal owner, even though people have given big chunks of their lives to KCPW. Blair cashed in big-time on the Coalville radio station deal. He's consistently underfunded the station and kept the treasures for himself. Now Blair is is going for the mega big-time money. He's got all the cards. He has a bunch of good-hearted people, and he has the mind of Gordon Gecko. A perfect setup for his personal enrichment. It's time to do the simplest thing. Pony up the money, pay off Blair, and be done with him. He can build a bigger house, take more trips and laugh with his cronies about how he fed the legal con based on the idea of 'community' radio that is actually owned by a wheeler-dealer.
The best you can hope for is that your bid is high enough, and for Blair's miserable remaining years, when ever he goes to a party, he gets a drink dumped on his head and then he gets incurable cancer of the eyes.I stopped giving to KCPW after the Coalville fiasco. It was clear then that Blair was a con-man. But to pay off the mobster and be done with him, I might have to start giving again.Then instead of Brian Schott working 27 hour shifts, you can hire decent people at a decent wage and build something good. The problem with KCPW has always been Blair. Dump him and you'll see something.
25. The TRUTH said:
Mike hit the heart of the matter. Blair has personally benefited from a NONPROFIT station. That is illegal. It amazes me that he still has not been arrested for his personal actions. The plight of KCPW is directly related to his illegal greed. Personal inurement is not allowed for nonprofit organizations. Cheers to his board for being such patsys!
26. William Nicholls said:
Blair has always been far too fond of the phrase, "Do the numbers..." - a cliche he borrowed from American Public Media's "Marketplace". While I doubt very much that his excessive personal profit is in any way illegal, I find it reprehensible and quit supporting KCPW.
Feulner deserves credit for identifying the need for intelligent news, talk and entertainment radio programming in the Salt Lake market and for filling that niche. But his financial dealings and excessive salary are simply incompatible with a "public" radio station asking for listener contributions.
I agree with Mike. I'd donate to a KCPW sans Blair Feulner.
27. Nikki Christensen said:
I love KCPW. I volunteered there all through college. I love the BBC at night, the great evening programming and find it very fresh and riveting.
It's a shame to see the staff turnover (Hi Julie!) but that happens a lot of places. They will get through this. I love you KCPW!
28. Fred Moesinger said:
I strongly support the sale of KCPW to Wasatch Public Media. My wife and I have been supporters of KCPW for years, both personally through membership and professionally through underwriting by our business. We have donated gift certificates and hosted events for speakers at our restaurant. We have donated our time during the fund drives to help raise even more money to make this station work.
What has happened to the money is unfortunate to say the least, but there are still good people at KCPW, there is still a need for KCPW, and there is still support for KCPW.
CWPC, please make the deal with Wasatch Public Media!
29. KCPW4ever said:
I am one of the many youth litseners that have been expsed to kcpw, thought it was boring at first;then through time come to love this station when i still lived in Salt Lake City i litsend as much as i could. now i live in New York and stream KCPW while im doing my homework.I think that all of my firends like to litsen to it, and get informed about SLC. Also the national news, i love talking with my dad about the "war on terror" as Gorge W. Bush calls it; and the current political race for the presadincy. im glad the station exists, thanks KCPW for always being there for me when i want to laugh about bush or any of the current canadates,TLC
2. Dennis Silveer said:
When I helped build KCPW 88.3 FM in the early '90's, KUER Ran Classical Music in the day and Jazz in the evening. KCPW went on running a news-information format, which proved to be successful. (The former commercial classical station, KWHO, (93.3 FM & 860 AM) had even donated their music library to KUER when they changed format.) Soon after, KUER began to COPY the KCPW format, even running the same programs at the same time. It seemed to me that the management of KUER, for personal reasons, was trying to use state money to bury KCPW. KUER should go back to their music format [I miss it] and let KCPW be the information public station.