Reimers' helpophobia... or game plan?

This post was updated November 10, 2015

The following letter to Berthold Reimers was made public by the author, Stephen M. Brown—a member of the WBAI LSB—this evening, November 5, 2015. It is by no means the first time we hear of Reimers ignoring fund-raising suggestions. His record of approving such outside events reflects his tendency to back the wrong horse, so to speak. Daulton Anderson's church concert is said to have been a failure, and some events have even resulted in loss of money.

Whatever you may think of Gary Null and regardless of what his motive might be, the fact is that he can raise money for the station. Like so many who have contributed funds and/or work to WBAI, Null has seen how Reimers' treats potential benefactors who wish to contribute their expertise while still among the living. It's a "will us your money and die" attitude that many listeners have sensed and taken as their cue to hit the road.

When hear that the current fund drive is unlikely to reach 50% of its goal and that Reimers' lack of visibility is, in part, due to his dodging bill collectors, so he should have welcomed the offer described in Mr. Brown's letter. He has chosen to ignore it, thus fueling the growing contention that he is out to play on Dan Siegel's team, whose aim is to render bankrupt and sell Pacifica's New York station.

November 5, 2015

Berthold –

I understand that Gary Null has volunteered to hold a special lecture event to raise money for WBAI at the 86^th Street/Amsterdam Avenue Church, but that despite his repeated attempts to contact and coordinate this event with you and Andrea Katz, no one has gotten back to him. As you know, his fundraising events at this theater are always sold out, and its 500 seats, at $30 per ticket, generate about $15,000 gross, or $14,600 after deducting theater rental.

Your cavalier attitude towards obtaining money for WBAI might be expected (although not appreciated) if the station were flush with cash. But as we know, it is broke. So your failure to leap at the chance to get this money is inexplicable. At the very least you can use it to fulfill the backlogged 4,400 premiums for which you are already in serious default (and have publicly admitted), and the more than 25,000 premiums that I estimate you may owe for prior drives.

WBAI’s ever-poorer fund drives and fleeing membership (down from 18,900 to 8,150, mostly because of angry donors from the last 8 drives who never received their premiums) is jeopardizing not only the future of WBAI but that of the entire network. Right now, WBAI’s fund drive is averaging (I can hardly bear to write the figure) only $6,000 per day, so your decision to lock yourself in your office, turn off your phone, ignore messages, and cower in a corner while the station burns down around you is not proper behavior for a station manager.

I hope you will contact Gary Null to coordinate this event as soon as possible, because WBAI needs the money as soon as possible.

Stephen M Brown

UPDATE: That same evening, Berthold Reimers sent a brief response to Brown, with a copy to the Pacifica National Board's Executive Director.

Subject: RE: WBAI throwing away money again?

This is the first I hear about this. I guess you must have Gary’s ear!

Berthold Reimers

WBAI Radio 99.5 FM

General Manager

Steve Brown reply to that was e-mailed Monday morning at 1:04:

Berthold –

Your response is not funny and not true, since it pretends that Gary never made you an offer to give a fundraising lecture for WBAI, whose approximate expected net revenue would be $14,000.

Attached is Gary’s latest email to you on this subject, his third, in fact.  Which exposes your response as deceptive. But I guess that WBAI has so much money coming in that you can afford to throw away a fast $14,000 in a single night.

Steve Brown also wrote to Lydia Brazon regarding Cerene Robertson's in person appearance at WBAI's so called "Report". It sheds some light on that little drama.

Here is a PDF file of the letter.