Mendocino County's public radio station has a history of internal struggles but its latest feud has taken a new, and possibly unprecedented twist.
A KZYX board member said Monday he will be filing an objection to the radio station's license renewal with the Federal Communications Commission. John Sakowicz said he's hoping the FCC will force a management shake-up at the station.
"I'm trying to save this station, not destroy it," said Sakowicz, who also serves as the board's treasurer and hosts a program "The Truth about Money," on the station.
Sakowicz published a letter Monday in an online publication urging others to complain to the FCC as well.
His move shocked and dismayed the station manager and his fellow board members.
"I find that so disturbing. I think it potentially could be very damaging," said board member and Willits Mayor Holly Madrigal.
She said she and other board members were blindsided by Sakowicz's published allegations.
KZYX General Manager John Coate said most of Sakowicz's allegations are false and he doubts the FCC would get involved in station infighting because the issues fall outside of licensing considerations.
If the station did end up losing its license, it likely would be the end of public radio in Mendocino County, he said.
Sakowicz' allegations are many. They include accusing Coate of withholding financial and meeting information, failing to advertise vacant positions and manipulating board elections. He also has taken issue with Coate's hiring of a news reporter who once worked for Voice of America, a U.S. funded broadcast aimed at international audiences.
The Voice of America "almost by admission is a CIA property." Sakowicz said.
Sakowicz also decried the firing of a reporter and a number of unpaid programmers over the years. At least two predated Coate, who became general manager about five years ago. The program manager generally handles those situations, Coate said.
More recently, a programmer had his public access show suspended because someone swore on the air.
Coate said the station is required to follow strict rules that prohibit on-air obscenities and hosts from promoting political agendas.
Station critics say that some shows have been canceled for significantly less.
Els Cooperrider is a former KZYX board member and programmer and leader of a ballot effort that banned genetically modified crops in Mendocino County.
She said she was fired as a programmer about five years ago because she wanted to split her show with another host.
She filed a grievance and was reinstated two years later by Coate. She resigned soon after that. Years before, Cooperrider had been removed as a board member over disagreements with her fellow board members.
Cooperrider lauded Sakowicz's efforts to shake up station management.
"Basically, as a programmer at KZYX, you have no rights at all," she said. Madrigal said the board hopes to improve station interactions with programmers.
She also defended the board and Coate. Together they've nearly eliminated debt attached to the station, which has a $550,000 budget, she said. Coate keeps the board apprised of finances and other business, Madrigal said.
But Coate admits he has declined to provide Sakowicz with some station information that is not intended for public consumption.
"I would tell him things and it would show up in the (Anderson Valley Advertiser) the next day," he said.You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com
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