Radio Catskill’s Community Radio NPR affiliate in Jeffersonville, NY is perhaps the nation’s only hydro-powered radio station, drawn from a dam 50 feet away adjacent to Lake Jefferson. But community criticism of the leadership of the station branded as “Radio Catskill” prompted all but one member of the station’s board of trustees to resign 4/19, one week after the ouster of former GM Winston Clark, according to Current.org.
During the contentious 4/19 public meeting of the trustees, station volunteers criticized the board for “alleged complicity” in Clark’s uncompromising management style and board members responded to questions about station finances and compliance with FCC and CPB open-meetings rules, according to the River Reporter newspaper of Narrowsburg, NY, Eight of nine board members later announced their resignation.
In a joint statement posted on the website of the River Reporter, the resigning board members responded to criticism of their stewardship of the station:
“In recent months, and in particular in our last two board meetings, we have been subjected to personal attacks and unfounded accusations of financial and ethical violations, none of which are true. We believe our efforts have stabilized the station’s financial position and improved its programming for the benefit of the wide WJFF communities as we have strived to look outward rather than inward. Any further debate as to the future of the station can now continue without us. We wish Adam Weinreich, the interim station manager, success in his endeavor and thank the many dedicated volunteers for their work and support.”
Weinrich was appointed to manage the station after the 4/12 resignation of Clark, whose management style came under intense scrutiny in March. According to a statement issued by the station board, the controversy was triggered in part by a decision to cancel a locally produced program.
According to the Times Herald-Record of Middletown, NY, Weinrich had been WJFF’s assistant station manager prior to his interim appointment. The sole remaining WJFF trustee is Sonia Hedlund.
See the Current.org story here
