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| CKLN in turmoil, police called |
| By John Van Dusen |
Published
03/4/2009
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Ryersonian Print Edition , Campus news
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CKLN in turmoil, police called
Ryerson’s campus community radio station is in major turmoil for the second time this school year.
Within the span of a week locks and card readers have been changed, assault charges have been laid against a student rep at the station, police have been called in, the station has declared itself cash-strapped and live programs have been replaced by two weeks of old shows.
A letter posted on the door of CKLN last Friday and signed by the station’s vice-chair and acting chair, Mercadez Otway, said, “circumstances beyond our control” have led to the temporary lockdown of the station.
“The doors are temporarily locked because people have been coming in and screwing up the system,” said Otway. The station is currently airing a reel of already taped shows until the key access cards are changed.
On Friday, the station also dismissed station manager Sam Snapp, the last paid staff member.
“We have no money . . . we can’t afford (paid employees). We’re planning to go down to the Ryerson liaison and try to appoint someone from the student body for the positions,” Otway said.
When Snapp left he reportedly locked the door of the studio.
On Sunday, Otway was informed by Ryerson security that two individuals had barred themselves inside the radio station. Former CKLN programmer Daibhid (David) James and Paulette Hamilton, who sits on the station’s board of directors as a volunteer rep, were arrested. Following a police investigation they were both released without charges.
The school’s security supervisor, Imre Juurlink, said there were “signs of forced entry” into the studio.
Attempts to contact James for comment were unsuccessful.
Earlier in the week another argument between Peter Toh, a student rep on the board, and Josie Miner, a volunteer and host of CKLN’s Big City Opry, escalated to police pressing assault charges against Toh.
“The minute I lay assault (charges), Peter Toh and Mercadez cut off my access card,” said Miner.
Despite its cash-strapped status the station should be back up and running within the week said Otway.
“When the door is fixed, everyone can come in and do their show,” said Otway.
She added that a forensic audit has shown the station has not paid its taxes in two years.
At the beginning of the school year in September there was also a great deal of upheaval over the firing, hiring and dismissal of various staff and volunteers.
The board of directors has been in conflict for a number of years; the recent infighting within the board has stopped the RSU and Ryerson from funding the radio station.
“There are a handful of people claiming they are board members. Just because someone claims to be part of a board of directors doesn’t make it so,” said Miner. CKLN is suing the RSU and Ryerson University for $550,000 for withholding the station’s membership fees. Each student contributes about $9 annually towards the station.
The lawsuit doesn’t sit well with Otway.
“I never knew about the lawsuit. All I got was a message saying there was a lawsuit. How could I be vice-chair and not know about it?” said Otway.
Otway says the suit was initiated by program director Tony Barnes and Mike Phillips. But Phillips was removed as CKLN chair last February in a board member vote. According to CKLN’s bylaws the vice-chair in the absence of the chair “performs the duties of the chair.”
Differing interpretations of what it means to “perform” the duties have caused arguments about Otway’s authority.
The board of directors is made up of the station manager, program director, one former staff member, two community members, two volunteer staff, four student reps and one RSU representative, Toby Whitfield.
“Right now there’s a dispute so we’re trying to figure out how to resolve it,” said Whitfield.
“There are two groups claiming to be the board of directors.”
Whitfield says about nine dollars from each student’s tuition goes to fund CKLN. But until the station sorts out its differences, the money will remain with the RSU.
Otway has called an election for the board of governors that she said will be held later this month. She hopes a new election will solve the dispute.
“On March 22 I am inviting everybody to come out and vote for who you want. If you want to remove me that’s fine.”
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Comments
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Comment #1
(Posted by Alex)
Hopefully CKLN can get back to what it's supposed to be doing now that David James and his gang of clowns are out.
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Comment #2
(Posted by nik)
Well the state of CKLN is pretty staff. When they started firing people unjustly last spring and summer, volunteers who had been at the station 20, 15 years, myself being one of them... we appeal to people to listen and realized that folks who put them selves in charge as management would run the station into the ground. There we have it. Perhaps some one will listen now.
Btw there are 50 plus volunteers who were unjustly removed who should be reinstated if any real honest dialogue can happen.
Nik Redman
Unjustly fired host programmer 15 years
Afrottransit
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Comment #3
(Posted by Mano)
I echo the comments of Nik..
former programmers need to have their voice heard and need to reinstated
Mano aka DJ Dialect
Fired programmer "Bruckbeat Radio"
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Comment #4
(Posted by Jay)
agree with alex. tony barnes, josie minor, david james destroyed a great thing. in just over a year. it's crazy!
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Comment #5
(Posted by Tom Power)
I have been asking the now-removed Chair of CKLN Mike Philips as well as the station manager and program director for an audited version of CKLN's financial statement for the last 3 years. I have yet to have a response from them.
What are they hiding?
Tom Power(long time paid member)
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Comment #6
(Posted by volunteer)
what's happenning really?
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Comment #7
(Posted by Ken)
The old crew at CKLN have been labouring under the misapprehension that the station is their personal fiefdom. Far from behaving like good stewards in the best interests of CKLN, they act as though they are a secretive cabal; repeatedly thwarting attempts to have the station operated in a fiscaly sound and community-minded manner. Their grip on the control board at CKLN is finally loosening! Bravo
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Comment #8
(Posted by Auditor)
Well all I hope this auditor can find Some substance, I was informed that the forensic auditor already has charges ready to be laid on management.
What a mess, also d.James says that they had a silent meeting in a hotel somewhere, and that the board is not the board. So am I to think that once again the clowns, Barnes and group have reinstated themselves as management and board directors after having being voted out a 2nd or is this the 3rd time'
They just don’t get it**** GET OUT NO ONE WANTS YOU IN POWER, YOU WERE OUTED OUT MORE THAN ONCE*** SAYS A LOT, STOP RE-ELECTING YOURSELF OVER AND OVER.
Its like CKLN belongs to them whenever they loose their seat they say no and reinstate themselves into power, CKLN is not hereditary you are not automatic to the throne
d James and others.
Your time has expired; you cleaned out the bank accounts, and ran the station into huge financial debt, with over 10 law suits and a huge lawyer’s bill.
But the debt that they may never recover from is what hurts us all.
this is a huge JOKE
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Comment #9
(Posted by Marinko Jareb)
Growing up in St.Catharines, I really learned to cherish the myriad of voices and programming and music on CKLN drifting over Lake Ontario and through my ghetto blaster. From social activism to dope dance music, I used to listen to CKLN and support it with a small donation every year. Not only has the programming suffered considerably, but until I feel that the station is in capable hands, I refuse to donate any money to them. I don't know all the politics or the root of the problems, but I'm hopeful that everything will be solved relatively soon and that the people who have recently run the station into the ground are ousted and held accountable for their actions. It is shameful what has happened to CKLN.
Marinko Jareb (volunteer at CFBU 103.7FM in Niagara)
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Comment #10
(Posted by Fire Root)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 15:23:27
I just had a short telephone conversation with Mercedes of West Indies Flames. She was one of the board members that had allegedly taken over the station when the lock out began (in late February 2009). It appears now that 'Ryerson', or unknown people above RSU, Executive Director of Operations & Services, Michael Verticchio: 'No longer have interests in operating a radio station at Ryerson'. They 'Ryerson' have changed the locks, and when the 2 week rebroadcast ends, so will CKLN, with 24 hours of dead air.
I assume it is the President’s office behind the lockout. The President’s office had not returned my phone call of Monday March 9th, 4pm and did not talk to me, or sound very encouraging, when I followed up 24 hours later and explained that this matter is urgent
All the parties that have been sued recently by CKLN-FM Inc probably see this (shutting down CKLN) as the quickest and easiest resolution to their problems. What was it that caused this? Perhaps, a $500,000.00 suit against RSU and Ryerson President’s office, and X amount of dollars suit against Ron Nelson.
Shannon Reiner aka Freedom DJ/Fire Root/...
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Comment #11
(Posted by White Chocolate)
It is highly unfortunate that due to the scenario going down at CKLN the listeners lose. It's funny, I've been hardpressed to find any comment, sentiment, etc., in regard to listeners, it's been all about individuals (volunteers). That is sad.
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Comment #12
(Posted by A Student)
It is just a question of time before the students vote to remove the CKLN levy. That day cannot come soon enough. CKLN is no longer welcome at Ryerson.
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