Why the WTTW Community Advisory Board must have a new chairperson to lead the
Board in matters concerning station policy and programming: 


Without consulting the membership, CAB Chairperson Eileen Durkin abruptly
cancelled the CAB meeting scheduled for the month of June. The surprise
announcement came at the end of an orientation session for new members held on
14 June 2003.

Though numerous requests were made, station management would not supply
existing CAB members with a list of the names and telephone numbers of new
members. Durkin refused to offer assistance.

Durkin refused to place member-suggested items onto the 12 August 2003 agenda.
She, at the same time, allotted Network Chicago spokespersons a large block of
time to respond to charges of mismanagement contained in an article dated 27
July 2003 in the Chicago Tribune Magazine. This, despite the fact that CAB
duties as proscribed by law are to advise WTTW in matters concerning station
policy and programming, not concern themselves with what the parent company is
up to. 

Violating the CAB's independent status, Durkin consistently seeks assistance
from station management in terms of developing agendas and organizing meetings.
Board members arrived on 12 August 2003 to see not the usual arrangement of
chairs surrounding a conference table but a lectern placed before row upon row
of card table chairs and an agenda dominated by reps from WWCI and Network
Chicago. The seating arrangement implied that attention would be focused upon
the scheduled speakers who would dominate the meeting. CAB members would speak
to each others backs.

Durkin serves as Chairperson in violation of CAB bylaws, which mandate the
election of new officers "at its May meeting of every year for a term of one
year." There had been no election in 2003. She acknowledges her failing in this
regard, adding, "it has been decided that I would stay on until May 2004." Who
decided?!  

Durkin has not performed her duties as required per CAB bylaw. She has not
overseen the election of a vice-chairperson or secretary. She has not delivered
reports of CAB activity to either WWCI directors, WTTW management, or CAB
members. 

Durkin has not adequately overseen the maintenance of the CAB website. As of last
week, an account of the CAB meeting of 10 December 2003 was the most recent
meeting posted. The list of members was incomplete. 

Through her actions and/or inactions Eileen Durkin has severely compromised the
CAB's independent status and, as a result, rendered the CAB irrelevant as a
productive working group. A special meeting of the CAB should be held to elect a
new chairperson and attend to other pressing matters, including but not limited
to the election of a vice-chairperson and secretary, and the discussion of an
operational roadmap. 
                                                 
                                           Todd Wexman, member CAB