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Letters to the KDNA Board of Directors
Rosa Ramon was a volunteer in 1974 working with Daniel Roble, Julio Cesar Guerrero and Ricardo Garcia in an effort to bring Spanish-language radio programming to the Pacific Northwest. In 1979, Ramon became the first station manager of the first Spanish-language educational public radio station in the nation and the first full-time Spanish-language radio station in the Pacific Northwest - Radio KDNA, 91.9 FM. Chuck Reinsch was manager of radio station KRAB-FM in Seattle in 1975, when Dan and Julio approached him asking to use KRAB's sub-carrier to broadcast Spanish language programming. A year later, the Northwest Chicano Radio Network was on the air in Seattle, and Reinsch was preparing an application for a construction permit for a Spanish language public radio station in the Yakima valley that eventually would be known as KDNA - La Voz Del Campesino.
Ramon and Reinsch have written a series of letters to the KDNA Board of Directors. the Board continues to act as if it accountable to no one.
Seattle, WA 98199
June 21, 2009
Jorge Lobos, President
Board of Directors, et al
KDNA and NCEC
121 Sunnyside Ave
Granger, WA 98932
Dear Mr. Lobos:
We are long-time supporters and contributors to KDNA and NCEC. As such, we have donated an average of $XXX to $XXXX annually since 1999 to further the purposes of KDNA as described in its Mission. In addition we made a $XXXX donation of restricted funds for the purpose of constructing the new community center.
Thus it was surprising that since Executive Director Maria Fernandez was hired, she did not once attempt to contact us regarding renewing or increasing our contribution. After reading from former NCEC Board Member Matt Adams’ letter of resignation, we now understand the reason why.
We are very concerned about the change in management philosophy and practices at KDNA/NCEC, and the affect that it has had on the ability of the organization to maintain its financial viability, its reputation, and its place in the community, and what affect this is having on the lives of the disadvantaged Spanish-speaking population that KDNA’s mission says it has dedicated itself to serve.
We would very much like an opportunity to discuss this with you and the rest of the Board, so we are requesting that you please provide us with a schedule of upcoming Board meetings. In order for us to better understand what has transpired during the last eleven months, could you also provide copies, or tell us where we might review, minutes of Board meetings since July 1, 2008? Also, it is our understanding that NCEC issues an annual report to members. We are requesting a copy. If it is not now available, can you tell us when it will become available?
It is with sadness that we have to advise you that until we are satisfied that KDNA and NCEC are operating consistent with their mission and acting with responsibility, accountability and integrity, we are suspending any further contributions.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Rosa Ramón and Charles Reinsch
Cc: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Radio Division
KDNA/NCEC Board of Directors
Seattle, WA 98199
July 13, 2009
Jorge Lobos, President
Board of Directors, et al
KDNA and NCEC
121 Sunnyside Ave
Granger, WA 98932
Dear Mr. Lobos:
It is more than three weeks since we wrote to you requesting an opportunity to speak with the Board of Directors regarding the changes occurring at KDNA and NCEC. We have received no response to our request of the dates of scheduled Board meetings, or to our request to review copies of the minutes of your board meetings or a copy of the current financial statement.
As we are still very much concerned about the events at KDNA over the last twelve months, and what the future may hold for the station, we would still appreciate receiving the above information. In addition, we would now like to request a list of the sitting Board Members, with the year in which they were elected to the board, and a list of the members of the Community Advisory Board, and the year in which each became a member of that Board. I trust that this information is easily accessible, and that it will not be a problem expediting this request.
We would very much appreciate the courtesy of a prompt reply.
Sincerely,
Rosa Ramón and Charles Reinsch
Cc: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Radio Division
KDNA/NCEC Board of Directors
Note: Although the letter below is dated July 7, it was postmarked in Yakima on July 28.
Seattle, WA 98199
July 31, 2009
Jorge Lobos, Chairman
Board of Directors, et al
KDNA and NCEC
121 Sunnyside Ave
Granger, WA 98932
Dear Mr. Lobos:
Thank you for your letter dated July 7th, postmarked July 28th in Yakima.
We appreciate your expression of interest in being responsible stewards, being “fiscally and legally accountable”, and in adopting “best management practices” that include “higher accountability and transparency”. While we might find these words reassuring, the rest of your letter fails to address in any specifics what might be the intentions of the NCEC management regarding the future of NCEC and KDNA, and their listeners and constituency. It would considerably ease our anxiety about the direction of the organization if you would describe the changes to which you allude that have “already been implemented and those to come” that will benefit your “stakeholders tremendously”.
We continue to be troubled by what appears to be the creation of a hostile work place by your Executive Director. Perhaps you could provide a more transparent explanation of how management by berating, harassment, intimidation, and abuse furthers the mission of NCEC, and exemplifies the “best management practices” which you invoke.
Since the Board meeting minutes (for the period 07/01/2008 to date) were not included with your letter, could you please tell us when we will receive the copies?
In our June 21st letter we also requested a schedule of your upcoming Board meetings, which you have not provided. In your certification of compliance with the Communications Act of 1934 as amended (“the Act”) upon which receipt of your Community Service Grant is contingent, you stated that you have, and would continue to comply with the Open Meetings provisions. Those provisions require you to disseminate publicly the schedule of all your meetings, and to provide a contemporaneous explanation of why any given meeting is not open to the public. Our request for the Board meeting schedule is consistent with the terms of the Act. You continue to hold closed Board meetings with no advance notice to the general public. This is not in compliance with the Act. Please provide the schedule.
Since you say, in response to our request for an “annual report”, that it will not be available until September, we are requesting that you provide us with your most recent financial report and a copy of any documents filed with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the last 12 months, as required by the Open Financial Records provisions of the Act, to which you have certified your continuing compliance.
In our letter to you of July 13th, we requested lists of the current Board and Community Advisory Board members, with the date (year is sufficient) they became a member of their respective Board. The list of Board members published on your web site, and in the most recent ownership report filed with the FCC is clearly not accurate. Please provide these lists.
Finally, rest assured, that we will continue to support through contributions and whatever other means within our ability, the farmworker families of the Yakima Valley to which you and the management of NCEC have turned your backs.
Sincerely,
Rosa Ramón and Charles Reinsch
Cc: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Radio Division
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Office of the Inspector General
