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Might KCTS Production Cuts and the FCC Spectrum Reallocation Mean the End of Local PBS Televisi...In September of 2013, the Chair of the KCTS Board of Directors, Paula Rosput Reynolds (Former Safeco CEO, Chief restructuring officer of AIG, and an executive and board member of many major oil and gas companies) announced her excitement that KCTS was being presented a golden moment: the acquisition of Fisher Broadcasting Corporation by the media conglomerate, Sinclair, created a vacancy of top management talent that KCTS could seize upon. The board suddenly replaced Moss Bresnahan, a seasoned PBS Executive, with Rob Dunlop, a former KOMO Radio and Fisher executive. Almost immediately, Dunlop began making a series of far-reaching changes in the station. Loss of Community and Worker Appreciation Prior to 2013, KCTS’ stated the mission was to “improve the quality of life in the communities we serve by providing meaningful programming on air, online and in the community that informs, involves and inspires.” Since that time the mission has changed and, along with it, much of the direction of the station. The mission is now “To Inspire A Smarter World.” Ironically, the change included enormous reductions in the areas of the station which might have seemed to most live up to the new mission. For example, KCTS’ education unit was closed down, its outreach unit drastically cut back and eventually shuttered, its popular Science Café (run in cooperation with the Pacific Science Center) and History Café (a partnership with the Museum of History and Industry), were ended, and its national distribution unit, which prepared KCTS program for wider broadcast to other PBS stations, was also shut down. Also in 2013, the station announced drastic cuts in employee health care benefits and the elimination and restructuring of many jobs. These policies led to a serious reduction of the KCTS work force and community pledge drives. While pledge drives are not popular with everyone, they do allow an opportunity for the community to thank the station for its service and for the workers and volunteers of KCTS to thank subscribers and members for their generous gifts that make it possible for the station to provide excellent PBS and community-driven programming. The most recent, and perhaps most questionable of these decisions was the elimination of a dozen producing, photography, editing, and audio positions, with the result that only a couple of members of the station’s production unit remain. While the station has seen other layoffs during earlier management regimes, they have been made necessary, at least in part, by serious financial straits—in one case the station was millions of dollars in debt. But as even Dunlop admitted, there was no financial need to lay off these workers: In an interview, Dunlop stressed that the cutbacks were not financially driven. The station’s latest audited financial report shows that it had a surplus of $460,940 in fiscal 2014, compared with a $47,843 loss in FY13. Underwriting was also up $178,000 and total revenue grew by $293,000 during that period. There was no crisis of viewership either; he told KUOW radio that the station audience is currently “stable.” Recently the station has announced a Digital First Initiative that will eliminate studio productions, studio pledge drives, and, according to Dunlop, will dramatically change the way local programming is produced and made available to viewers. If these changes prevail, the KCTS community will receive much of its local programming solely in short-form videos delivered mostly through phones, computers and tablets rather than broadcasting. The rationale for this is that younger viewers are not watching the television broadcasts. Dunlop claims that KCTS’ audience is mainly children and viewers over the age of 50. While this is true, it is not new. KCTS has always been more attractive to older viewers, who are also more likely to contribute. So the elimination of so much that KCTS does must be driven by other motives beyond the PBS mission. One of the most troubling is the possibility that KCTS management may plan to sell off their digital channels to other media conglomerates. The Spectrum Auction In 2016, The FCC will hold an auction that will allow broadcasters to sell all or part of their federally- licensed frequency to the highest bidder. Why? Because the lower frequency of TV travels farther and penetrates walls better. This makes the TV band more valuable to broadband companies. “A Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) study claimed that $62 billion worth of spectrum could become $1 trillion for wireless, and one proposal would require all TV stations, including LPTV, to give up all spectrum, with subsidized multichannel services replacing over-the-air TV, even after viewers spent a great deal of money on the DTV transition.” This means that the frequency allocated to broadcast television is 16 times more valuable to broadband providers than it is to TV station owners –according to the study. That is a powerful reality that is not widely understood. So, we have no choice but to ponder how the shift from TV to other media will be made, and what, if anything, will replace local public television as a community service. The valuable model of community-funded television allows KCTS to meet a public need. If the station is shifting focus away from viewer funded television and shifting toward a larger funding source or sale of its license, the average viewer’s voice could be drowned out. Will our KCTS Vme and Create channels be sold to the highest bidder? Some anonymous unconfirmed reports tell us that KCTS may be undergoing plans to get out of the community license contracts for its Vme and Create channels that especially serve the Hispanic community and children. Is this a way to seize upon the lucrative sale of the TV frequency public asset? If the TV frequency is going to go to something else, what will take the place of Local TV? Traditional broadcasters oppose the idea of ...462 of 500 SignaturesCreated by Take Back KCTS
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Pardon SnowdenWe have all been affected by the courage of a young man who decided what was the right thing to do. The information he gave us exposed the insideous invasion of our privacy. We should celebrate Edward Snowden and be proud that he is one of us.46 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Natalie Becker
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New Fairfield needs Fair Garbage Collection RatesThe cost of residential trash removal varies from household to household, as do the services offered. A recent poll showed NF citizens paying anywhere from $27 to $49 per month for similar services. Many small providers are merging with larger providers, who are then raising rates. The cost savings with a municipal contract with a private provider is significant. For example, the Town of Ellington (pop 15,000), CT contracts with one provider that costs each participating household $125 per year, which comes to $10.42 per month. For $10.42 a month, house holds receive a 96 gallon rolling cart and recycle bin, weekly trash pick up, and bulky item removal up to 4 times per year. Citizens may opt out and use the transfer station. Consolidating services will save money for everyone.11 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Theda Lambert
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Return the Roderick GirlsHi I'm April I created this in hopes some one can help I want to bring awareness because I'm pretty sure what's happening to me and my family is not right I guess I'll start from the beginning I'll try not to leave any thing out and explain every thing so any ways back in September of 2014 my daughter started having bruises I contacted her preschool they said they weren't from them she wasn't sick didn't complain so I figured every thing was fine I went to work that Friday and got calledat work to come home to what I can only describe as a night mare two police officers and a cps worker were at my home had my husband in handcuffs my oldest was awake and terrified my baby was luckily asleep the cps worker explained how some one had called on me w and the fact the house was a mess didn't help I told him it was her bed time I normally don't clean till I come and they're in bed and the gun by the front door unloaded and we do live in the country he didn't seem to care then lied to me and my husband told me my four year old told him I hit her which I have dozens of people who will tell any one that she won't talk to any man unless he's her daddy or family he pulls me upstairs while I'm packing her clothing he asks me if my husband beats me and I just look at him amazed like seriously and I ignore him they haul us into jail that Friday night since it was labor day weekend we got stuck there for 4 days before we got bailed out by his family I didn't even get a shower or a change of clothes all weekend and I was kept in the drunk tank so we start the slow process to get our children back reluctantly I go threw there hoops I son find out days later that my daughter was found to have a low platelet count they held her down bruising her farther to draw blood admitted her to the hospital didn't find out til I was released so she gets better I think OK it's gonna be easy enough to get both my girls back but I go to the next court hearing no lawyer because at the meeting at the office they tell me they're gonna recommend we get them back etc this is a month later I get to court and the stuff hits the fan my baby isn't my husband's I had a one night stand 3 Years ago the guy never wanted her so my husband stepped in I have messages proving that we'll he decided he wanted custody told them I was a prostitute and unfit mother that I travel to much etc not gonna lie I posted ads on back page and Craigslist but it was for massage nothing sexual and certainly nothing to do with the children work is work I guess me being a bartender is bad to if that's his thinking so I found out I needed a lawyer well Christmas comes closer and closer and it looks like we're getting them back permanently or so we thought that guy had a friend call in a hot line tip and we started back at square one and haven't seen them since I had to move back to Texas for work because I didn't have a home for them there not could I provide for them there and I'm just at a list of what to do I can't keep doing this court and meetings game I have to work so I can be there for the children and the way it looks is like I'll never get them back they have is going thru the icon process since we moved but I so Jane no idea if this will help me get my children back fingerprinting back ground checks more home visits so this is why I'm reaching out I'm sorry this was so long but I need help it's been nearly a year and this court date in June is I'm hoping the endI doubt it because the lady in the Texas office will not do a home study thanks to the charges they gave me in Missouri but yet I can't get my kids back with out home I honestly at this point doing it the lady in charge of it here will not do the required home study because I failed the background thanks to charges they pinned on me in the beginning of all this don't know what to do more so I'm asking for help32 of 100 SignaturesCreated by April Roderick
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Deny tax exempt status for Prestonwood Baptist ChurchKeep religion out of politics.416 of 500 SignaturesCreated by Lynn
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Kevin Sabo: Don't Deactivate Your FacebookThis is a semi-satirical petition to convince Kevin Sabo, Berkeley's Resident Badass, not to deactivate his Facebook account.13 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Matthew Lewis
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STOP DISPLACING FAMILIES FROM PILSENA mega real estate project threatens to make Pilsen even more expensive for working families. Danny Solis and the Midwest Jesuits are going for fast track gentrification at 18th and Peoria. An empty lot owned by the Jesuits is under contract to build 500 luxury condos. The Jesuits refuse to talk to the community. Solis already took money from the developers before the election, but didn’t say anything until after the election. Neighbor solidarity has spared Pilsen from gentrification, but the impact of 500 luxury condos on taxes, services and affordability can be devastating to historic residents and working families266 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Pilsen Alliance
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Authors, Actors, Drag Queens, Wiccan's, Transgenders, Role Players Are REAL PEOPLEThere is a HUGE community of different people who are being DISCRIMINATED against & NOT allowed to be on Facebook at this time. Author's who write using a Pen name, Wiccan's who use their Witch name, Transgender's who use a Name they Gender Identify with, Role Players who use a pen name. Drag Queens who use a Stage Name. Actors who use a Screen Actor's Guild Name. Each group have VALID reasons for using pen names & have fans & followers & friends who know them by their Pen names & they are REAL people & are being discriminated against & NOT allowed on FACEBOOK! I know MANY who have sent copies of their Screen Actor's Guild Cards as well as Author's who have sent in information with regards to writing under Pen Names & Facebook Deny's them access to their accounts! Facebook won't even talk to these groups about WHY they are being discriminated against accept that they are FAKE NAMES & that doesn't meet the policy standards set by Facebook! In a day & age where Facebook could make allowances for these groups & DON'T is ABSURD! It is DISCRIMINATION plain & simple! Each of these groups has a RIGHT to use their Pen Names, Stage Names, their Screen Actor's Guild Names & the fact that they have HUGE followings & fans who know & follow them by these names, it is RIDICULOUS that they are being DISCRIMINATED against by FACEBOOK! FACEBOOK & Mark Zuckerberg get a CLUE & be the TRENDSETTERS & embrace these groups the Author's using Pen Names, the Wiccans who use their Witch Names, the Transgender's who use the name they gender identify with, Role Players who use a Pen Name, Drag Queens who use a Stage Name, Actors who use a Screen Actor's Guild Name! Show the Social Media WORLD that YOU, FACEBOOK can & will do the RIGHT thing & allow these groups to have a place on FACEBOOK!99 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Pia Petcu
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SAVE WILLIAM AND MICHELLE FROM FOSTER HELL!THIS PETITION IS TO ASK TO PLEASE HELP STOP THE WRONGFUL REMOVAL OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOMES! DEMAND CIVIL RIGHTS! EVERY LIFE MATTERS!3 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Flor Funes
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Save ABC's ForeverIn a landscape of reality TV & recycled dramas, "Forever" stands above the field as an engaging, thoughtful and creative show that builds upon a unique concept: A medical/police procedural with a fantasy/Sci-fi twist. Dr. Henry Morgan can't die and he uses his knowledge gained over the last 200 plus years to solve crimes in New York. We, the loyal viewers, think this kind of high concept and certainly high-quality television is missing from network television. We are asking the ABC powers that be to reconsider this decision and commit to bringing "Forever" back for a sophomore season.442 of 500 SignaturesCreated by Save Forever
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72 Caton Place: Petition for Environmental Impact AssessmentWe are deeply concerned about possible developments and zoning changes at 72 Caton Place. We are a small neighborhood surrounded by 4 major traffic arteries critical to the area, and we are at risk to head into a level of density unparalleled in our part of Brooklyn. We are trying to preserve a singular cultural institution (Kensington Stables) and welcome a vitally important new school with safe streets and traffic areas. We have yet to tackle the built-in challenges: an inadequate sewage system, narrow streets, and a large influx of new residents in 22 Caton and The Kestrel. This is a critical moment where we have an opportunity to preserve a neighborhood. Kensington Stables: This Brooklyn institution, which represents the diversity of culture and architecture in our neighborhood, could be disastrously impacted by increased traffic on Caton Place — particularly on the block between Coney Island Avenue and East 8th Street. Riders will have no safe area to mount the horses, no place for pony rides and dangerously difficult access to the bridal paths. Infrastructure: East 8th Street, an essential thru street in the neighborhood, is currently virtually impassable to 2 way traffic. We also question whether the existing sewer system is adequate for the increasing population. Rapid Density Ramp: PS437, 22 Caton Place and the Kestrel have not yet even been factored into the local equation. They represent massive changes to this neighborhood. Cars are already double-parked on busy Coney Island Avenue weekday mornings and afternoons outside the International Baptist Church, and on Coney Island Avenue for Brooklyn College Academy High School. On the weekends, cars are parked on sidewalks on Caton Place while volunteers manage traffic into and out of church parking lots. Meanwhile AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) families circle the block looking for parking for the games at the parade grounds. This is all before the PS 437 opens, and 22 Caton and the Kestrel become fully occupied.256 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Friends of Caton Place
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Audit the Pentagon: Hold them accountable!The Department of Defense recently asked for $585 billion for its operations around the world, roughly half of our "discretionary budget" (the annual budget paid for with our federal income tax dollars, as opposed to appropriations mandated by previous law like Social Security, which we pay for through payroll taxes.) But the Department of Defense has never – not once – passed an audit of its activities. That’s a real problem, and we’re going to do something about it. Legislation is currently pending to require an audit of the Pentagon’s activities, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your tax dollars. Join us in calling on Congress to pass the bill!21 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Robert Naiman