Ted Weisgal Candidate Statement

KPFT is like the canary in the mine. And right now the mine is dark and air is at a premium. On a radio dial (AM and FM) that is largely vacuous, KPFT shines. It does so ever so brightly every weekday morning from 9 to 10am with Pacifica's flagship program, Democracy Now and it compliments this program with a full range of music, news and public affairs programs throughout the week. Unfortunately, not enough people are listening.

KPFT should be in the center of all the action. The President comes from these parts. The people who put him in that position do too. This radio station can play a major role in spreading the truth. In so doing, it can significantly influence public opinion. It has much work to do in this area.

As a member of the LSB, I strongly supported the strategic planning effort that is currently going on. I hope that it bears fruit. From the time that I got involved in the struggle to democratize KPFT and Pacifica, I have believed that more and more people needed to be involved. I have encouraged many of the key players on the current board and the Strategic Planning Committee to participate. From wherever you come, if you believe in the Pacifica Mission, I invite you to join in as well.

For two years, I served as parliamentarian for the Pacifica National Board. During that time, I helped provide some direction that, as I've been told, has served both that body as well as the five local station boards to this day.

KPFT raises the smallest amount of money of the five Pacifica stations. We spend an inordinate amount of time conducting fund drives. One of the key responsibilities of the LSB is to raise money. Some 90% of all the funds raised by the station are raised as a consequence of programming. I would like to see us explore (with management, who would have the unenviable task of implementing it) a revamped program schedule so that news and public affairs programs would be on at the times when people could listen carefully. It strikes me that this would be during morning and afternoon drive time. During the working day, I would like music to dominate the schedule. I predict that with change, more money would be raised in a shorter amount of time…freeing up the station to do what it does like no other station, play the best in music not heard anywhere else and provide news and analysis that makes sense--if that’s possible--of what’ s going on in the world today.

Please vote for me. Ted Weisgal for the LSB.