MPBN set to trim radio, television, emergency system

In a shocking announcement to Downeast radio listeners and television viewers, Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) said that it will discontinue service to radio stations 89.7 WMED in Calais and 106.5 WMEF in Fort Kent and WMED-TV Channel 13 in Calais. The shutdown will also affect the range of the state's emergency broadcasting system, which is hosted by the network.

The announcement was made on December 18 by MPBN President and CEO Jim Dowe. Dowe said that as part of a cost-reducing measure MPBN plans to close the radio towers in Calais and Fort Kent and the television transmitter in Calais, citing decreasing federal and state subsidy funding and member donations. The company also stated that it will lay off 7% of its staff, or eight people. Dowe said, "It's affecting us in every single area of revenue generation. Every single area where we raise money, whether it is individual support, major giving or corporate support, all of those areas are being impacted by the financial crisis that the world faces today. So we're not immune from that."

Since MPBN announced its layoffs and cuts in service, listeners in the affected areas have been upset. Elizabeth Sprague of East Machias, who is a 40-year National Public Radio listener, comments, "It's appalling to me that there are no members from this area, Washington or Aroostook County, that are on either the advisory board or board of directors. We should have representation from all of the communities to be part of the decisions that are being made. I also find that cutting our signal here is a very radical approach. And I'm not sure if cutting the signal is a violation of charter. In its day, public broadcasting was obliged to serve all of the public." Sprague said that if MPBN really pulls the plug on service she would have to turn to Internet service. "I prefer not to do that," Sprague said, "but I may have to."

Sprague thinks that new businesses may not want to come to the area without access to MPBN. "They'll say it's too isolated." Sprague also has advice for MPBN decision-makers: "To meet their financial crunch, they could look at programming in-state. Some states, back in the late 1970s, used volunteer producers. They could also meet goals by going more locally. They are completely disconnected with this area." Sprague did not renew her subscription this year, saying, "They send teams to certain areas for feedback, mostly to the southern part of the state. The last time they attempted to come here, the scheduled day and time was very inconvenient." Sprague still remained optimistic saying, "If they really do pull the plug, it will be shocking. Maybe they'll take another look at it."

State Senate Republican Leader Kevin Raye says he called Dowe to express his outrage when he learned of the plan. "It is unacceptable for MPBN executives to take it upon themselves to determine that the residents of any particular region of the state have less value than others. Their decision suggests a deeply troubling elitism and flies in the face of MPBN's core mission/responsibility to the entire state."

Raye adds, "I recognize and sympathize with MPBN's budget woes, but I believe any cost-saving measures taken to address those challenges should have a uniform impact across the state. I have asked that MPBN revisit the misguided approach they have announced and identify alternative approaches to realize the $120,000 annual savings they project to be realized by abandoning their commitment to the residents of Washington County and the St. John Valley. One such alternative would be to look at the redundancy in their broadcast capacity in areas where people can receive Maine Public Radio on multiple stations."

MPBN said it would save 7.5% of its annual operating expenses and only lose 3% of its listeners if the plan is executed. Satellite and cable viewers would not be affected by the signal shutoff, but the cut would devastate radio listeners.

A day after the announcement, Governor John Baldacci seemed concerned and said in a prepared statement, "It [MPBN] was providing universal access throughout the entire country. And we can't be leaving out any part of Maine in terms of access to this source of news, entertainment and communications." He added, "We're just starting to get information, and my hope is we'll have some idea for a strategy sometime in the next two weeks." MPBN also is planning temporary wage reductions for management and staff through the fiscal year ending on June 30.

James Poffley of Eastport, an avid public radio and daily listener to NPR, is upset about the announcement. "I really valued it. Now I feel violated and cheap about their decision to cut us off here. I know it's an astute business move, but is that how you run a service?" Poffley isn't convinced about MPBN's financial woes, saying, "I'm not believing it's that severe. I need to have them show me the numbers."

Poffley is one of about 20 listeners in his area who are contemplating the writing of a letter of complaint to Senator Raye and U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe. "We are still deciding what to do. We may get some signatures together." Poffley, a contributor and listener to NPR since 1985, says, "This is really important to me. I really value it. It's not just the music, it's the scholars that are reading the news that will be missed."

Poffley also airs his distaste for MPBN's lack of information to the public regarding the decision to shut off power to the area. "All of my life I have contributed [to public radio], and they never said to anyone, if you can't come up with your contribution we are going to shut you off."

Oliver Holmes of Eastport, an occasional listener to NPR, says, "It's a very good program, I can tell you that. I sometimes listen in on Sunday nights and a lot while driving in the car. I'd rather they have it on. There's little or no advertising on it. Hopefully they can do something about it." Holmes says he is an annual contributor to MPBN.

For more information, access the MPBN website at <www.mpbn.net>.