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Ester King (Listener Candidate) (Candidate has withdrawn Oct. 31)

Candidate Questionnaire
Radio Spot

Candidate Statement

I have been an avid listener to KPFT for over thirty (30) years. As a result, much of my socio/political development is derived from listening to a multitude of programs presented by hosts, guests, and recorded speeches that are unavailable on any other radio stations consistently.

At this crucial juncture in the conflict between competing world interest, there is a critical need for an uncommercialized, uncompromised presentation of various view points and cultural interpretations which represent the entire human family. To that end, I intend to help protect and promote KPFT as the one media outlet in all of Houston where the widest range of community participation and input takes place without corporate interference or influence.

Candidate Questionnaire

1. Why do you want to be on the Local Station Board ?
   I want to be on the Local Station Board because I feel that this board is vitally important to any effort to address issues of concern to KPFT's ever widening listening audience. As a member of that board, I am confident that I can help that process.
   
2. How do you envision the Local Station Board working with the Pacifica Foundation,KPFT and the community?

   I envision the Local Station Board making real and concrete the mission statement of both the foundation and KPFT in the community by its programming format.
   

3. How could the station better serve its' listeners?
   The station could better serve it's listeners by being more aggressive in its outreach efforts in all communities all year long.
   
4. Describe some actions you would take to increase the influence of the station in underrepresented communities and to increase the diversity of the listening audience?
   As a Local Station Board member, I would like to appear at events and programs promoting and representing Pacifica and KPFT all over Houston, particularly the African American Community.
   
5. What sources of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel KPFT should solicit?
   I feel that funding sources outside of listener donations are risky and would subject the foundation to undue influence by those sources.
   
6. Please state briefly the skills, experience, educational background, work history, organizational affiliations, areas of community service, areas of interest and expertise that you would bring to the Pacifica network as a member of the Local Station Board?
   My strongest skill is in the area of communication. Educationally, I am a high school graduate and have some college hours. I have 20 years experience as a Union Boilermaker (Local 132). My organizational affiliation includes: Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, Black Panther Party, founding member of the National Black United Front, past Member of SHAPE Community Center, past Advisory Board Member of Allen Parkway Village, Current Board member, Fourth Ward Tax Investment Zone. My special interest is in working with people in organizing projects.
   
7. Do you anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation?
   I do not anticipate missing any Board meetings due to family or job related problems
   
8. On which Local Station Board committees are you interested in actively serving? If you are a current Local Station Board member, on which committees do you currently serve?
   I am interested in serving on the Outreach Committee of the Local Station Board.