5118 N. Winchester Chicago, IL 60640 August 17, 2003 Robert T. Coonrod, President CPB 401 Ninth St. NW Washington, DC 20004 RE: WTTW-Chicago Dear Mr. Coonrod: A serious-minded and hard-working member of WTTW's Community Advisory Board, I write to ask for help in solving a problem that cannot be solved without involvement from above. In brief, the problem is this: Station management here in Chicago exercises strong, behind-the-scenes control over the operations of the Community Advisory Board. They do so in collusion with Eileen Durkin, who years ago assumed her post as Chairperson and continues to serve in disregard of CAB bylaws. As CAB Chairperson, Durkin consistently serves management's needs while treating thoughtful members of the Board with polite condescension. In league with station management, Durkin controls the process by which new members are selected. She, additionally, affords management a significant role in setting our agenda. As a result, their subtly orchestrated presentations dominate our meetings. In these meetings we are apprised of decisions already made, not included in discussions of what is to come. In sum, with Durkin in the lap of management, we of the Community Advisory Board have been rendered irrelevant as a productive working force. Durkin has refused to step down. Station management supports her. In the meantime, WTTW continues to slight those in and outside the local community who well deserve a prominent place on the weekly schedule. I've enclosed documents that add weight to what has been said above-along with a copy of an article published in the July 27th issue of the Chicago Tribune Magazine. The Tribune article caused quite a stir. Durkin offered Network Chicago the entire first half of our meeting to respond to charges of mismanagement put forward by Mr. Kirk. Your help in this matter would be much appreciated. Awaiting a reply, I remain, Sincerely, Todd Wexman