Attila Nagy Candidate Statement

The www.peoplesradio.net candidates are doing a collective statement to provide you with information you would not otherwise have to help you understand the crisis at KPFA/Pacifica. Our statements are best read in order starting with Richard Phelps, Gerald Sanders, Stan Woods, Bob English, Dave Heller, Attila Nagy and Mara Rivera.

Some of my qualifications: LSB member, Pacifica National Programming Committee, former Program Council member, LSB Outreach, North Bay For KPFA, active in the struggle to democratize KBBF, bilingual public radio in Santa Rosa, musician and graphic artist.  For a complete list see www.peoplesradio.net .

Part 6, continued from Heller. A recent example: Rosalinda Palacios, LSB, and consistent voter with the Concerned Listeners/“Dismantlers” asked Pacifica for a free trip to the Houston Board meeting in January 07. She was not entitled to have her expenses paid. The Executive Director denied her request. Rosalinda got the Chief Financial Officer to allow her to “book” her flight on the Pacifica account. She also charged her room to Pacifica for a total of $697.70 of listener-donated money! A couple of months later upon reviewing the expenses from the Houston meeting some www.peoplesradio.net members on the LSB asked why this was allowed and not paid back?  A few weeks later Rosalinda made a payment of $625.00, leaving a balance of $72.70 of listener money owed by her to Pacifica. Would she have made this payment had nothing been said? She hadn’t for two months. When this was brought up at an LSB meeting to get an explanation as to why Rosalinda thought she was entitled to a free trip at listeners expense, the Concerned Listener/“Dismantler” majority pushed to have it discussed in executive session. Pacifica Bylaws require open meetings except for litigation, personnel and property transaction discussions, Bylaws, Article 6, Section 7.

This is not about Rosalinda Palacios, per se; it is about accountability and transparency, fundamental aspects of democratic process. An LSB member’s use of Pacifica money is not a personnel matter. Elected officials must be accountable for their use of subscribers’ donated money. There is nothing confidential about such an issue! The only reason to hide the discussion in executive session is to protect one of their allies, at the expense of YOUR right to know what is being done with YOUR donations. This was first brought up in February 2007 and Rosalinda Palacios has yet to say one word in response to requests for an explanation. Rosalinda missed six meetings in a row after peoplesradio LSB members put this issue on the agenda. If you want transparency about how your donations are used, vote 1-7, for www.peoplesradio.net candidates. We have a consistent history of fighting for transparency and open meetings at KPFA and Pacifica. Continued at Rivera.

Some endorsements: La Varn Williams, Michael Parenti, Peter Philips (Project Censored), Peter Camejo, Jack Heyman, SF and Alameda County Peace and Freedom Party, and Alameda County Green Party. Please vote.