Keep KCPW Local -- Independence or Bust
None by Lara Jones
Click here for KCPW's Capital Campaign donation form
KCPW and its listeners have until May 28 to raise the down payment on buying the station from Community Wireless of Park City. It's similar to buying a house. In this instance, the negotiated purchase price is $2.4 million. KCPW needs to make a 25% down payment, which is approximately $600,000. We're more than two-thirds the way there, but still need another $217,000 for the down payment.
Come June 1, KCPW will change hands. If we're successful in this first leg of what will be a three-year capital campaign, the programs you enjoy will remain on 88.3 and 105.3 FM. If not, the KCPW you know will cease to exist.
This capital campaign financial need is not to be confused with our twice-yearly membership drives that provide the operating funds necessary to pay programming-related fees, staff and utilities. This is an appeal to you, our listeners, to make a contribution to help buy KCPW - for you to become vested in an independent, public news service that serves people who live and work in this community.
Click the audio button below to hear an interview with Ed Sweeney of Wasatch Public Media -- recorded Wed., May 7, 2008.
If KCPW adds to your quality of life, please give. Call Ed Sweeney at 509-6726 or use the donation form at the top of this post. Every little bit helps.
As we only have until May 28, KCPW's future hangs in the balance. Like never before, your support makes a difference.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. Nancy said:
Why do I have to look at my computer to "hear" your requests for capital? Your community is listening to the radio, not necessarily reading your web site. I am getting very nervous because you are running out of time, and I am not hearing any really serious requests for capital on the radio. You have some very well-known local people who support this station. I want to hear their voices on the air asking us for our money.
3. Jason said:
This capital campaign should not be happening at the same time as the pledge drive. It's going to confuse people (like me). I don't even see a clear way to donate to the capital campaign vs. the pledge drive.
Editor's note: Yes, it is confusing. It also is what it is. If we don't raise the capital campaign money, there is no KCPW. At the same time, those lenders considering an investment in KCPW will be looking to see how much we raise during the pledge drive in order to estimate future revenue -- which plays into their financing model. The timing is horrible, but it is what it is.
Click here to print out a capital campaign donation form. Print it out, then send it in or drop it by the station here at KCPW -- 210 E. 400 S., Salt Lake City -- on the plaza at Library Square.
We wish we had the luxury of more time, but we don't. If KCPW doesn't raise enough "downpayment" cash by May 28 to satisfy lenders who will finance the full $2.4 million purchase price, KCPW WILL BE GONE. Click here for more details from Wasatch Public Media, which is the new non-profit trying to make it happen.
4. Nancy said:
What a joy to hear Julie Rose supporting KCPW from the East coast! Thank you for taking the time to record your message, Julie. Good luck in your new position, but we miss hearing you.
5. Christy said:
So, from what I understand, a big chunk of the money is going toward paying off the 1010 AM purchase. But shouldn't that (I'm talking morally, not legally) be paid by either CW or by the people buying 1010? And didn't the listeners of KCPW already give money to help buy 1010? I could see why the setup would make sense if WPM were getting 1010AM in this deal and then turning around and selling 1010 to a third party.
Still, I am so thrilled at the thought of a KCPW without Blair Feulner that I am happy to contribute, even to line his pockets with a wildly inflated purchase price. The station means that much to me, and I hope it does to others, too.
Good riddance, Community Wireless. Long live KCPW!
6. LInda Crinshaw said:
As an "investor" in KCPW, why would I contribute more money and not know exactly what the sale price is, financing agreement and prospectis?
All of these 'requests' for funding. Pledge Drives, AM1010, now another Pledge Drive, and on top of that our feed are being held to the fire because of a deal cloaked in mystery. The FTC would be all over this if this was a publically traded company.
How long before more money is required. Fool me once shame on me, fool me every Pledge Drive, shame on you.
Editor's note: KCPW has made repeated attempts to contact "LInda Crinshaw" and address his/her concerns. Should "LInda Crinshaw" or others with similar questions or claims truly seek answers, please call Ed Sweeney at (801) 509-6726. You're also welcome to stop by the studios, M-F, 8-6. We're located at Library Square, 210 E. 400 S., in downtown Salt Lake City. This Saturday and Sunday we'll also be here from 7-3. Our general telephone number is (801) 359-5279.
7. Outsider said:
I hope you are exploring how to merge your resources with KUER, as a contingency plan, in case you fail to meet your financial goals. You would compliment their programming and bring a local (SL Valley) twist to their news coverage. It is financially irresponsible to have two different entities broadcasting expensive NPR programming to the exact same market (SL Valley). Put your egos aside and think about what is best for the listeners / advertisers who support the programming.
8. Ross said:
Something seems fishy here. Who stands to make money from this? Blair Feulner? If so, what are "assets" his is selling us? Does this include anything we have, as contributors, have already paid for?
Seems to me that the management needs to spell all this out more clearly on the web page. We have been told many times before that this was "our" station. Now we are being told that it's not, and that someone is threatening to take it away from us if we don't pay up. Makes me uncomfortable.
9. EthanT said:
I agree with many of the above posters. Its odd that out of the blue KCPW suddenly needs a big chunk of cash in order to stay on the air (in addition to regular pledge drives). It seems like something has been horribly mis-managed for this sort of situation to take place. If you did not have the money to purchase the station from Community Wireless, why make the purchase? I have still not heard a good explanation as to why I should pledge money to a station that could go away at any time.
2. Owen Hogle said:
Thank you for saying, "cease to exist"!As a supporter for as long as I can remember, I challenge all businesses, (mine is the Wild Bird Center) to donate $100/$500/$1,000 to keep this station on the air.I would hate the alternative. Wouldn't you?