Name:

Fred Blair

Qualifications:

Endorsements:

Statement:

Hello, I'm Fred Blair. I'm running for re-election to the KPFK Local Station Board (LSB) to represent Listeners and Listener interests. I'm completing the third year of my current term. I also serve as KPFK LSB Treasurer and Chair of the KPFK Finance Committee.
I was first elected to the LSB in 2011, then re-elected in 2014 and 2018, and served as Chair of the Pacifica National Board Audit Committee from 2012 through 2014.

My life and work background are in Computer Programming and Technology. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and worked as an Electronic Design Engineer in Embedded Systems for over 30 years.

I use this experience in my work within Pacifica Governance to understand what might help KPFK break out of its decline, both financially and creatively, in Radio Broadcasting here in Southern California.

I was present during the writing of the current Bylaws in 2003 and their first democratic implementation that year. I think this gives me some insight into Pacifica’s problems and solutions going forward.

I am of the opinion that our essential problems are not in the current Bylaws, though our Bylaws do need to be updated and revised.
It is the People elected to our Boards that are most important to our functioning. I’ve seen People of both Good Character and Bad come and go on our Boards. So I am working this Election cycle on getting as many People of Good Character elected as possible.
Our low audience numbers and declining membership and donations all show that people think we are not relevant to their lives and problems these days.

The only way to turn this around is to come up with new, high quality programming that people find of value to their lives and are willing to support. Programs that follow Pacifica Mission Statement’s emphasis on Peace and Social Justice in this World. That educate our audiences with Alternative Analysis and Criticism of world Events from a very Pacifica point of view.

In other words, we need to become the 4th Estate in Radio Broadcasting - that is our real Mission. To provide an alternative to the Main-Stream Media (MSM) in all things Political, Cultural, and Intellectual. To become the place to come to, to find out about exciting new Ideas, People and Happenings. The place to come to hear smart People talk about and debate what is happening in the world, and what are the possible alternatives to what the MSM is proposing for us.

I want to see Pacifica broadcasting many points of view, with those multiple viewpoints debated on the air, to find out which are the best solution to our problems. I want our Listeners to be able to call in to our programs and express their opinions and ideas on air too.

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station's mission?
I have worked on a number of Pacifica Committees, both PNB and LSB, over the years.
And I intend to continue these activities if re-elected, so as to do useful work within Governance to advance and improve the Radio programming of our Station and Network. So as to attract more listeners and subscribers to this organization.


2. What do you appreciate and value in the station's current operations?
KPFK is the legacy of my Parent’s generation from the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s to us.
They created KPFK to provide alternative ideas and cultural to the Mainstream Media intuitions of this Country. They left us with a very valuable asset, a FM Radio License and a 120 Kilowatt Transmitter on Mount Wilson. In other word, they left us with the ability to Speak directly to the 35 or 40 million people of the Southern California region.
If We Only Know How To So...


3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station's current operations?
I would like to have better Programming. The Kind of Programming people are willing to Pay to Hear.


4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
Station Finances, Fund Drive Operations and Operational Transparency.


5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station's financial footing?
Hirer the right Managers to run the Pacifica Foundation, Inc. and KPFK Radio.


6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
I have served on the KPFK LSB now for three, 3 year terms, in Governance.
And I know how things work on the Board visa-via the Pacifica Bylaws and California Corporate Code for Non-Profit Corporations.
I am running to Implement Good Governance at KPFK and Pacifica.
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