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Sims McCutchan (Listener Candidate)

Candidate Questionnaire
Radio Spot

Candidate Statement

My name is Sims McCutchan. I am 62 years old and have been a listener/supporter of KPFT since arriving in Houston in 1973. I am a
retired library administrator, having worked professionally in libraries for 30 years. I am fully committed to the mission of Pacifica.
Though I think news programs are of vital importance, I listen to and support music programs. Having served during my work career in some of Houston's most diverse neighborhoods, I also strongly support the local stations diverse programming, as KPFT is the only independent broadcast source in our community, I will especially support the efforts of the local news team.
Our citizens deserve something more than the "official" story. For similar reasons, I have a strong commitment to news programs such as BBC and Democracy Now.

In my view, a Local Station Board member is the "employee" of all the listener/members. I would therefore listen to concerns and do my part to help address them. I would support outreach efforts at the station since I believe increased visibility is key to gaining new listeners and expanding support. Your support of my candidacy would be appreciated.

Candidate Questionnaire

1. I believe the board should be the local stations advocate with the Pacifica Foundation. With the station itself, I believe the board should exercise proactive oversight of the stations operation, representing the listener community by passing on its concerns to the management.
   

2. How could the station better serve its' listeners?
   The station management should keep close track of listener concerns and preferences. Programs of broadest, highest and most vital interest should be aired when the biggest possible audience is listening. Finally, I believe local news programming should receive strong support from the board and management.
   
3. 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?
   I believe outreach to underrepresented communities is important. Station visibility at such events as community and ethnic festivals is one possible way to attract new listeners and increase diversity of listeners. Remote broadcasts from such events would be a good tactic. At the very least bumper stickers and programming information could be handed out. Some of this may already have been done, but efforts should be increased.
   
4. What sources of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel KPFT should solicit?
   The policy of no direct corporate funding must be maintained, but other sources of grants from nonprofit organizations might be sought. A small festival with live entertainment might be considered. A large garage sale with donated items is also a possibility.
   
5. 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?
   I spent 28 years in public library administration. Success in this field requires skills both in the supervision and motivation of people and with general public relations. I supervised a very diverse work force and have worked with diverse communities as well. My work assignments have been in areas with large African American, Asian and Latino populations. I also served as president of the Staff Association at the library. I have served as a volunteer on political campaigns, voter registration efforts, and KPFT fund drives.
   
6. Do you anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation?
   No.
   
7. 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?
   KPFT Development Committee
   Programming Policy Committee
   Outreach Committee