Postville Mayor Out, Town's Radio Station On The Brink Of Closing

City council accepts the mayor's resignation (exclusively reported here last week), and Postville's public radio station may close due to lack of community support.

Immigration raid continues to impact Postville
Lynda Waddington, Iowa Independent

The City of Postville will soon have a new mayor.

Three out of the city’s five city council members voted Monday night to accept the resignation of current Mayor Bob Penrod. Penrod, who had made an emotional and seemingly off-the-cuff verbal resignation last week during a discussion about a mobile phone device, had quietly expressed that he would be willing to continue to serve as mayor if those on the council refused his resignation.

On Monday morning, hours before the council met, it looked as if Penrod would continue as mayor. At least one of those who ultimately voted against retaining Penrod Monday night had expressed a desire to keep the man on until the end of his term.

When the vote was taken, members Jeff Reinhardt, Virginia Medberry and Milo Heins accepted Penrod’s resignation. Larry Moore and Ross Malcom, who is serving as interim mayor, voted against. There were no public comments made about why certain members had a change of heart.

City officials will publish a notice in the local newspaper that candidates are being sought for the post. Council plans to appoint a person to serve instead of paying roughly $3,500 for the cost of a special election.

Postville community radio station KPVL 89.1 FM, which has been the only local information source for residents in the wake of the May 2008 immigration raid, has been in the process of a massive fund drive for the past few days. Sources close to the station have indicated that the station is in make-or-break mode. Without unprecedented listener support, the station is likely to close in the near future.

The situation, which was recently detailed by reporter Nathaniel Popper for the Columbia Journalism Review, pits the board of the community radio station against Jeff Abbas, KPVL’s station manager.

    The turning point for Abbas came the week after the raid, when he read the descriptions of child labor, abusive supervisors, and dishonest management in the government’s affidavit on the slaughterhouse. Abbas was outraged. When I interviewed him months later, he became animated as he recalled his awakening. “Every time I spent more than a few minutes with that affidavit, I became more incensed,” he said. “I couldn’t help but become outspoken.”

    … It was Abbas’s decision to air an interview in late May, with a woman from Texas who was angry about the way the Rubashkins[, owners of the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant,] had treated her, that caused the first blow-back from Chaim Abrahams, then the president of KPVL’s board and also an executive at Agriprocessors.

Popper’s report documents how, as the influence of Abbas and KPVL increased, revenues declined. Abbas has worked most of the past few years without a regular paycheck, a situation that has resulted in him accepting government assistance in order to survive.

The Agriprocessors plant, Postville’s largest employer and site of last year’s raid, also continues to struggle. Limited poultry production has continued under Joseph Sarachek, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee, and the plant sale is scheduled for March 23.

The Rubashkins and their allies have been trying to censor KPVL reporting since the raid. There's an explosive story here, one that will eventually be told.

As for the future of KPVL, if the people of Postville want to have an independent  news and information source (along with great 24/7 music), they need to find ways to make their station viable, and they need to do so immediately.

I also find it both telling and sad that the man who led the Postville relief effort, who fed and helped hundreds of indigent Agriprocessors workers, and who worked to prevent evictions and utility sut offs for those workers and for the rabbis and kosher supervisors, is forced to take public assistance to live.

This is Postville's shame. I hope the citizens of Postville realize this. I can guarantee you, many other people do.

Exclusive: Postville Mayor Resigns.

Comments

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

FCC records show the radio station is owned by the Postville Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization. Such an organization might be eligible for arts grants, etc. Perhaps the station can get some pro bono advice from a 'development (read: fund raising)expert'.

[Shmarya]

The Chamber of Commerce sold the station to the board.

The issue isn't grants – the board has (apparently) already misused grants.

The issues are a the board itself – specifically Abrahams and Stan from Freedom bank and couple others and their unethical behavior – and on the board's unwillingness to actually raise money.

Also part of the mix is a population unaccustomed to giving even in good times.

What Abrahams did is without question unethical. It may be criminal, as well.

And what kind of board allows it's only employee to go unpaid for months on end while at the same time individual board members with resources – like Stan, for example, do nothing to help?

[Duck Lady]

I live in Postville and I am asking you to please contact the postville newspaper and have them publish the story or your comments about KPVL.

Jeff is a darling and he is the person that stands up to the saying " giving the shirt off his own back". He is a gentle, caring soul and who ever thinks otherwise should be taken out back and shot!! He stands up and faces BAD and does not back down. Chaim, you schmuck, you dont scare him.

We need to stand together and help this man and his radio station out. Is there anyplace to send donations?

[Shmarya]

Sharon Drahn published no significant news about Agriprocessors from May 12 onward.

She has done nothing to report the story.

Why in the world would I or anyone else waste time with her or with what she passes off as a newspaper?

A better question: Why do you?

[Shmarya]

I just heard Sharon Drahn's son was killed yesterday in an apparent hit and run.

Now would not be the time to bother her about any of this.

[Yochanan Lavie]

Start an internet radio station.

[Hometown Postville]

Don't know the solution but saving the radio station should be a priority. As a local, I've heard nothing but good about Jeff Abbas. At a time like this, a communication link is needed to keep everyone updated and ideas flowing for the future. Any ideas or monetary help out there? As far as plans go for finding a new "volunteer" mayor, good luck! The wages that will have to be paid for someone to inherit that mess will far exceed the $3500 cost of a special election! Perhaps THREE people should SHARE the position and be represented- Jewish, Postville native, and Hispanic????? Very diplomatic people only-concerns to be directed to all three. That's the only way to heal the rift between the groups since all would be represented. Who is willing to step forward?

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

The folks in Postville should read this. There are a few other cases out there covering a straight sale, but I can't find those right now.
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2001/da01344.html

[FirstGenerationBavarianAmerican]

Here is another one:
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1999/da991230.txt

[Jeff Abbas]

Thanks for the support...all of you.

The simple fact of the matter is this. Stan and the rest of the board would like nothing more than to pay me for the work I do here. There just is no money for it.

The catch 22 is this. When we were accepted for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant for this year, it was with the stipulation that KPVL had at least one one full-time paid employee (including a competitive benefits package). To qualify for this annual grant, we need to show an operations budget of $100,000. In order to meet that requirement, I made an in-kind "donation" of what would have been my salary, had I received one.

The grant money from the CPB comes with restrictions as to waht that money can be used for. It cannot be used for station overhead and expenses, nor can it be used to pay the salary of our one full-time employee - me.

There's the catch 22. I am a full-time employee according to the grant (even though I haven't come close to receiving even the minimum salary as set forth by the grant) so I cannot be paid using the grant money.

Dave H., our board president is working very hard to see if we can receive a waiver from the CPB to pay me from those funds. With that in mind, we have a plan that will allow us to continue operations. There is a cost, however.

It has always been my belief a ststion's "personality" is every bit as important as the format. The personality is that live host here to answer questions, play requests and add all the extras to the broadcast that sets it apart from other stations. In order to provide that personality and everything that goes with it is a full-time job.

It is also that concept that has been the reason station revenues are not what they need to be. I believed that by creating that personality, I could supplement the underwriting (advertising) I was unable to go out and obtain with membership support. That has not worked as well as we needed (or as I anticipated).

The station was on the brink of financial difficulty when I was hired. I told the board I would do what I do best - give the station a personality, a unique format and a fervent push for membership. I also explained at that meeting that that would be a full-time undertaking and I would be unable to be a part-time salesman for the station's underwriting.

As time went on, I began to be pressured to go out and shore up the station's falling underwriting revenues on a commission basis. In order to continue what I love doing, I agreed to do my best and try to make time to do that. Unfortunately, keeping the format fresh, the personality alive and the day-to-day programming consistent, I could not do what I said I would try to do.

Long story short...my desire to keep the station "real" takes up more than an 8 hour day so a commision-based salary isn't near enough to even get me halfway to the poverty level.

I do not want to see the station fail. Especially now when we can become a voice for immigration reform and social justice; all the those things coming up in Postville's future in the wake of last May's raid at Agriprocessors.

So the plan is this; I will come in and program the station for the day, retaining the format, but sacrificing the personality for a time. That will take three to four hours a day. After the new antennae goes up and our signal is strengthened, I will try the sales gig to the best of my ability. In the meantime, I am going to take a little time off, file bankruptcy and attempt to put my personal life back together.

As a final note, I am as much to blame for my situation as anything or anyone else. I chose to stay and see things through because it's what I do. I eat, breathe and sleep Community Radio and it's mission to the community it serves. KPVL's mission here in Postville (and soon the country) superceded everything else. It may not have been the smartest thing to do, but I couldn't have done it any other way.

This is not a pitch for donations, but the question was asked, so here's the answer:

Donations can be sent to KPVL Radio -
PO Box 875 - Postville, Iowa - 52162

There is a link to our online stream at
www.KPVLRadio.org. Just click on the graphic in the upper right hand corner of the opening page.

My thanks to all of you for hearing my side of the story.

[state of disgust]

The reach of KPVL goes far beyond the town of Postville. Many of the people who read this blog and many national media are the beneficiaries of information first covered by KPVL - the only responsive community service organization trusted by every independent thinking person in town. I strongly suggest people donate to the station - if for no other reason then to give the station's board a push to actually fulfill their obligation to actively fundraise on behalf of the station (many public radio stations require board members to "give or get" $5,000 in donations. KPVL requires no donations from its Board members).
Organizations like FM and KPVL help preserve our values. Its time we support them and in so doing, support ourselves.

[Duck Lady]

I read the Postville paper but had no idea what a horrible person sharon is.

my apologies. I was just trying to make a point of getting the story of KPVL out there for all to see.

[State of Postville 2]

Sharon is not a horrible person. She has only been careful about what has been printed. I understand implicitly what anguish she must go through every week. She cannot afford to alienate a single advertiser. And, please know there are only two people running that operation. Sharon's responsibilitiues go well beyond what it normally takes to run a weekly like the Herald.

She is only being a smart businesswoman and is truly a kind and wonderful woman.

[Max]

The Herald is not a newspaper.
Newspapers - the Fourth Estate - have an obligation to print the news - the good and the bad. If the Herald only prints the news that is "good" out of fear of antagonizing potential advertisers then it ceases to be a newspaper and is nothing more then an advertising flyer - and worth about as much. That's OK, but lets call it what it is, and not confuse it with the term "newspaper."

[Curious Postville Native]

Re: [Council plans to appoint a person to serve . . .]

Are there others who have heard the 'news' that former council member, Leigh Rekow, is giving consideration to the idea of 'filling in' as mayor?

[State of Postville III]

The Herald is a weekly paper not a daily, and often the news about AGri etc. is "old news" by the time the Herald hits the streets. Sharon does keep the public informed. Also, she is not an independent paper so to speak and has to abide with the policies set forth by the company owning the paper. If there is no advertising is their justification for keeping the paper in print. Sharon's job is not the issue here, and her job performance is not the issue, it is the radio station. Keep the issue to the forefront and don't go off criticizing someone else. As has been said previously there have been fundraisers one being an 80's dance band in town, and no one attended this dance. There could be an article submitted to the paper about the dire straits as it has not bee publicized. Some people are not aware of the money issue. Also, keep in mind that Postville's contributors have been inundated with requests for money to keep the freeloaders cared for. If people are assured their money will be spent wisely, no doubt they would contribute to this good cause.

[concerned citizen]

CPN: We are in serious trouble is Mr. Rekow becomes Mayor!!! Wasn't he in cahoots with the Rubashkins for the start? God help us all!!!! And Sharon does a good job. Keep her and her family in your prayers as they deal with the death of their son.

[steve]

Rubashkin's request to move the trial out of Iowa was denied today.

[Curious Postville Native]

[We are in serious trouble is Mr. Rekow becomes Mayor!!! Wasn't he in cahoots with the Rubashkins for the start?]

CC:

DesMoinesRegister.com - . . . Republican state legislators also have received contributions from members of the Rubashkin family . . . Former Rep. Leigh Rekow of Postville received $2,100. - . . .

Golly, I don't know what to deduce from this documented 'tidbit'.

What's your 'take' on this contribution, if you'll pardon the expression?

[concerned citizen]

CPN: Like I said before. wasn't he cahoots with the Rubashkins?

[Max]

"Sharon ... Keep her and her family in your prayers as they deal with the death of their son"

Agreed. Over time, may the pain she feels now subside and be replaced by family memories of better times.

[isa]

Don't put all the blame on the newspaper for not reporting any local news, how about the local police report that will not name names(just gives how many of each incident)or even give any details on an intruder that was stalking people and breaking into homes and raping women,not one word was voiced to make the public be aware from September last year till recently caught. There is still breakins going on.and robberies going on.

[State of Postville III]

We are in serious trouble if L. Rekow is mayor. He has been in serious cahoots with that outfit to the west. He will get the council votes of 3 to 2 should he go for the job. The police cover up everything even when the public is at risk. It is pathetic that the citizens of Postville have been put at risk for harm by these people brought here for work, and then when they have no jobs stay here and take the freebies. In the paper was the results of the "vision" meeting. Quite lame for goals, a community meeting place which is already in place at Turner Hall and the new school addition will have a community room, housing, and more community meals. Let's have something substantial like senior citizen condos, transportation for seniors who can't drive anymore. You ask why for seniors, well, they are the responsible people who pay the taxes and support the community with church and volunteers. Enough of the support for the transient people who care nothing for Postville.

[Curious Postville Native]

[He has been in serious cahoots with THAT OUTFIT TO THE WEST.]

SOP III:

(A noteworthy - 'DISTANCING'.)

[Concerned for the Postville area..]

Why can't Postville's vision begin with cleaning up the streets, houses and junk around town. Next they can exclude outsiders whom think they can force diversity amongst us when that has already failed! Why can't we have visions instead of making our leaders put everything out on the table and keeping NO MORE SECRETS! Why can't this town form a committee which goal would be to attract honest businesses. If this town can put "everything" on the line to protect the bottom of the barrel (Agri), why can't we find incentives for reliable, trustworthy and ethical companies. First they need to clean the town of freebies and handouts along with closing the place where all are problems started. Once they are gone, then get the bulldozer and do spring clean up, hold a community celebration and move on!!
One more thing, change the motto of our town, NO MORE "HOMETOWN TO THE WORLD" but maybe something like "DREAMS DO COME TRUE IF YOU BELEIVE!"

[State of Postville III]

Another motto could be a "new day, a new way." Postville needs to put out an agenda that promotes our town. As Concerned states it needs to be cleaned up first.As residents know there are industries in town that are doing well. It is hoped the agri industries recover from the debt that has been foisted on them by Agri. A major goal should be to keep the town afloat since water bill issues, taxes, and the treatment plant could banrupt the town. Now who do you think caused these problems. Is the goal to bankrupt the town???

[Supporter of North East Iowa]

Postville is not the only town in NE Iowa to have a Weekly paper that only reports the feel good stories. Bad news is for the Daily papers in Waterloo, CR, And Dubuque. As for the Public radio station it was never needed, it is too low powered to reach much outside of Postville, we have a more powerful Iowa Public Radio station, Wisconsin Public Radio and near Decorah, Minnesota Public Radio. If we lose KPVL not many will notice.

[Hometown Postville]

Concerned: your ideas are great- go for it!A volunteer cleanup group may bring hope to the community, especially at a time when everyone is so full of frustration for all that has happened. Despite your feelings on diversity, it's there to stay, just as it was in the early years. Then, there was strife between the Norweigens, Germans, and religious groups. There certainly are Jewish, native, and Hispanic leaders within the community who are diplomatic enough to organize/initiate this and with encouragement, others can lay aside their pride/differences to come together as a team. There are churches/youth groups in outlying towns that have been involved in other aspects of volunteerism throughout this crisis and could probably be solicited for help as well. Clean-up is more of a manpower need, not financial. Designating Postville as a mission site could provide more on-going assistance for the cost of volunteer meals/lodging. Via local churches, contact some mission organizations to see if this is feasible. Missionaries do not just serve third world countries! Even recipients of Katrina help may be willing to come up north to reciprocate. Yard clean-up, even if only the public areas, could become part of community service and save the city some money. Luster Heights(local minimum security prison camp) does some highway cleanup, check to see if they have any bureaucratic restrictions to helping. Perhaps the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity in Decorah would have resources for donated paint or simple repair items. The biggest hurdle may be legalities over authorization/limits as to how much can be done, especially in yards of foreclosed property or out of state owners. Enough time has been spent on blaming,secrets, and outrage. At this point, with an unknown future, it is what it is and it's time to show the rest of America that the small midwestern values Postville stands for are still there and will prevail! Put that negative energy to use! In the midst of so many feeling their hands are tied to do bigger things, this would be an easy but high impact project. It may make the town more attractive to new businesses; not just the asthetics, but even more so, the demonstration of resiliance and cooperation. It would at least show that the community cares enough not to "let their looks go." A freshly raked lawn after a warm spring rain with new grass poking through is a good spirit lifter, especially after the harsh winter we have had.

[Hometown Postville]

To those concerned about L. Reikow for Mayor: direct comments to the council, anonymously, if that feels better. Continued griping behind the scenes only feeds the perception of helplessness and certainly doesn't serve the best interests of the community. Prayers will be needed for whomever chooses to tackle the challenge of mayor because it's going to take someone with a lot of guts, huge shoulders, and disregard for compensation.

[Curious Postville Native]

[Luster Heights(local minimum security prison camp) does some highway cleanup, check to see if they have any bureaucratic restrictions to helping.]

They certainly would fit right in; and we could send a few 'johnny-come-latelys' back with them when they finished.

[Hometown Postville]

"a lot of guts, huge shoulders, and disregard for compensation." Sounds like this(mayor) is a job for Jeff Abbas!

[State of Postville III]

How about a Sarah Palin or Hillary Clinto to fill in a couple of months? Possibly a woman could do the job and not be influenced unduly by the powers that want to influence. She would have the best interests of the community in mind. Know an intelligent, strong woman????

[Hometown Postville]

Well I don't know if Sarah quite fits the bill but if she can pull it off it would certainly earn her a few more Republican brownie points! Extend the invitation!

[just wondering]

When talking about Leigh Rekow concern does come, especially if Rubbuskins have donated to him at a prior time as CPN has blogged before. I think the town should voice there opinion because I have been told he has already talked with city employees. Years ago he used to submit editorials to the Postville Herald about how diversity was a good thing for our town. Since all the madness has taken place so has his editorials! Since he was instrumental in all of this starting, it will be interesting to know if he wised up and has changed his way of thinking. I also heard that Ex-mayor Penrod seems to be interested in the water position at Agri. This too is quite funny, especially if the plant ceases to run along with supposedly they are the reason for declining health. Some people will never learn. I have spoken with many individuals throughout town and been told most people in Postville are fed up with all the tragic events which have taken place and I'm finding more and more people are not going to take it anymore. The citizens want answers and will be demanding no more secrets. This is very encouraging!!! It will take all of the citizens to stand up to a few whom think they can get away with anything, no matter how evil. We should all start a "town watch" which will hold all people accountable for their actions. Postville it's time to hang together for our town!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hometown Postville]

I drove through Postville this morning and cruised around some of the back streets. Frankly, I'm sure the trashed yards/houses exist, but what's visible to the public eye actually does not look that bad. I saw occasional houses with trash, toys, and junk outside but not any more than most communities have. One house was boarded up with yellow police tape around it. Of course there are areas I missed. Are the gripes coming more from the neighbors to these hovels or is it a general consensus that all of Postville looks trashed?

[Concerned for the Postville area..]

Hometown Postville,
Replying to your comment that clean up for the community would be a great thing, I agree. I would do exactly what you asked if and when I knew whom actually owns the property with guarantees that it would remain that way after all the effort was put forth. It would be very disheartening to find 4 months down the road that renters/owners trashed the place again. When you have outsiders come into the town with no consideration for others or buyers with no integrity, just greed, this is the aftermath. It's been said alot of these homes with destroyed after the pipes burst this winter and people whom have been inside have stated they were completely trashed. Maybe you should actually go inside. The downtown area is very vacant also. Alot of the buildings have paper covering the windows and that does not make Postville very appealing also, much like a ghost town would look like.