Thursday, November 5, 2015

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 86th 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.

7 comments:

  1. Hell with Gary. If WBAI needs a snake-oil salesman con-man to stay afloat, we should sink now with dignity.

    KGT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The dignity is long gone. It's just sinking, now.

      SDL

      Delete
  2. Asinine, indeed. Why is he behaving this way? A grudge against Null? Did he get a nice job offer to move to California when Pacifica collapses and/or WBAI is sold off? Only Reimers knows. However, for certain, he is driving WBAI into bankruptcy, whether voluntarily or by incompetence.

    Now, what I find more interesting is that mysterious, I believe salaried, Andrea Katz. Her name pops up here and there, but she doesn't seem to actually do anything much, certainly not warranting a salary. What is a "Interim Development & Communications Director" anyway? Sounds like a vague title one gives a friend to get them a job. Well, we know she got her relative a job, which he does poorly.

    And the LSB? Well, they do nothing. They and the PNB are the most contemptible of all in this fiasco, as they could very well put an end to it all.

    SDL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Berthold Reimers is acting in the interests of his faction, that is controlling the WBAI. Gary Null has his own audience, and Reimers does not want to cede any of the sinking ship to Null. They think that there will be money in the end, when the station is liquidated. Reimer's own golden parachute! Maybe they are hoping to cheat the Probate, which will take the lion's share of the proceeds for the back rents, other bills and the legal fees. Null just reversed himself today, when he said that selling the BAI license and setting up a small internet radio station is a bad, bad idea when compared to the real broadcasting station. Didn't he say before how great internet broadcasting is? Doesn't he have his own NETWORK? By taking the lead in fund-raising, as he clearly is capable, he is getting dibs, if the station is saved and Reimers gets removed because of his incompetence. If Reimers and Null are buddies (Null never criticized him as far as I know), then why doesn't Reimers trust him?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Null can be called erratic. I have heard him slam Reimers on a rare occasion then back off. I have heard him all over the place on netcasting. I guess it all depends on what colored stuff he drank that particular morning.

      Listen, if WBAI is sold or bankrupts, the ESB is getting their cash, first. They have the real lawyers, not political clods. DN will be second. What I can tell you is all the premiums owed to people will be last in line.

      SDL

      Delete
  4. I read the Brown/Brazon letter. Interesting, especially if true, considering Reimers does what he wants all the time. Does he only take orders from Brazon, a Foundationalist? Does that tell us something? Was it just an excuse for something he wanted to do anyway? Both, really?

    SDL

    ReplyDelete
  5. Reimers having a thought out plan? Reimers having an ulterior motive for anything? Don't insult us. His only plan is to cash his $110,000 check and combat the naysayers (white libs) with the "R" word until he's 66. Multiculturalism and Diversity.
    Yum Yum. You asked for it, you got it. You deserve it. Enjoy your Kwanzaa.

    KGT

    ReplyDelete