With word earlier this week that National Public Radio, in budget trouble like everyone else in this country, would lay off 7 percent of its work force and cancel a couple of programs, we wondered what might be ahead for Kansas City's KCUR 89.3.
Patrica Cahill, the station's general manager, tells me things aren't as grim as people might conclude from this week's news.
"I was on the board of NPR in 1983 when they almost went bankrupt, and this is so much better," Cahill says. That's because the network is "making corrections" at the beginning of its fiscal year -- FY 2009 started for NPR in October -- instead of waiting until later. "I think they've got a handle on the money, which didn't happen in '83."
"Right now we're OK," Cahill says. "I think people need us and need what NPR and KCUR provide right now more than ever -- to try to make sense of what's going on. We met our goal for the last fundraiser. But we are looking to see what things we can cut back, or at least eliminate some expenses without making it noticeable on the air."
She says she was encouraged to get an e-mail yesterday from a listener who, upon learning that Day to Day would stop airing in March, proposed filling the time with programming from the BBC and segments from the National Press Club. Cahill finds that kind of engagement heartening. "I hope listeners will be more aware of funding needs for NPR and respond with local contributions," she says.
Meanwhile, she's taking the long view. "I've been there, done that," she says of these especially rough economic times. "1983 was a long time ago for some people, but not for me. NPR's gone through ups and downs, and I've been through it and come out just fine. We're going to focus in on what we do well."
I didn't have the heart to ask her how much the station might save by retiring Walt Bodine. -- C.J. Janovy
Showing 1-5 of 5
Yo, eGroups loser, I have a question concerning your inane blathering.
What with Funk�s ruski or rusty art fence destroying the entire world�s economy, and Walt Bodine being the apparent solution to the problem, am I off base concluding that you think Walt Bodine should be the next mayor of Kansas City, or are you merely calling for Bodine to become Funk�s advisor and life partner?
I hope you mean the former because Funk is a chubby chaser. After all it takes a stout torso to withstand all that torque generated in the throes of a full Funk man-thrust. I think an un-bulwarked Bodine would fall short of the minimum safe bulk rating.
Well at least Mister Bodine is not planning to toss a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLAR at an unneeded artsy fartsy ART FENCE on Troost! He'll let Funkytown and Co Mayor Funkette do that at Ruskin High School. Wall Street's troubles did start on Main Street, and in this $265K case, Blue Ridge Extension.
FunkhouserRecall@egroups.com
I for one appreciate the zinger at the end. But since this cowtown seems hell-bent on embarrassing itself by keeping Walt in that chair, I guess Lulu is right.
Does this mean Rush Limbaugh wins? With Day to Day going off the air, where will the mainstream counter weight to Rush come from?!?!?
So, should NPR stand in line at Congress and ask for a bailout, or do you think the folks like me that are oddly addicted to hearing propaganda from the left will finally step in and give them a few nickels to rub together?
like
dislike
