This info is sent by
Matthew St.Carrell:
Currently, BKAT is run by the City of Bremerton, with the County
pitching in a substantial amount for services. The new business plan
hopes to make the City & County partners, do away with any public
equipment, training or storefront.
The plan claims there will still be
public access, because BKAT will do tape playback if you drop off your
tape at the library; meaning you must already possess the equipment &
skills. The plan also tries to extort money from each school district
(3 public school districts & 1 community college) for "services" which
these schools either already run themselves or don't use. All content to be produced
by BKAT will be decided by an advisory committee. It will take a
showing of public concern & an alternative business plan to offer up
for things to change. We need lots of brains storming on this now to
have a community media game plan before the re-franchises hit the
tables (which will be next year for one of the three county franchises
& the following year for the City of Bremerton's franchise). We would
like to show solidarity for our Seattle comrades' franchise battles as
well!
We are currently setting up a web site and list serve for our
particular situation, where we will post the business plan & schedule
for the re-franchises. We will continue to post announcements on the
Reclaim the Media list serve.
The iron is hot for change in community media in Kitsap County. Make a
difference by becoming involved today!
Please consider attending the Bremerton City Council Study Session on
June 14 to show public concern.
Puget Sound Activists Unite!
Matthew St.Carrell
thinkMEDIA.org
st_carrell@comcast.net
360.990.2187