Letter from Larry Bensky

6 November, 2007

I have received a number of inquiries about the current KPFA election, and I can't possibly reply in detail to all the thoughtful questions that people are asking.

First of all, I have endorsed the slate of candidates being presented by Concerned Listeners. I've done this because I know and respect many of these candidates. I also know, and respect, those who have worked hard putting together this diverse and talented group of people.

But most of all, I - and many of our most valuable KPFA staffers - have endorsed this list because we believe it's the best hope we have for putting a sane, dedicated, and supportive Local Station Board in place.

It's no secret that I've been alarmed at what has become of our Local Advisory Boards under the guise of "democracy." Instead of the varied groups of people with whom I'd worked since first starting as a programmer in 1969, the re-configuration into the current structure has produced absolutely nothing of supportive value. Instead, we have an impossibly complicated election procedure with minimal qualifications for candidates and inadequate information for listener/voters. This flawed process has produced minimal participation from listeners and a complete disconnect between those unrepresentative people elected and almost all of those of us who do the work at KPFA.

It's even worse than that. There is little or no financial oversight. There is minimal communication of such basic information as board agendas and minutes. And a quarrelsome, wasteful series of meetings that produce abusive interactions and nothing of value.

I strongly believe that if we can elect the Concerned Listeners slate, that can change.

Please vote for them. And urge all those you know to do so as well!

Thanks, as always, for your attention, and support!

Best,

Larry