Remember that public radio staff, although essentially unresponsive to criticisms on scheduling from the Bangor area, is still requesting, at the Legislature, increases in taxpayer funding. Although Ann Mills, of Lincolnville, the president of the Opera League of Maine, requested to speak to Charles Beck of Maine Public Radio about funding for opera broadcasts, Beck never rewarded her the courtesy of a return call.

The word public means a community oversight committee, which ascertains the needs of the community, and the probity for taxpayers’ funding. To date, there is no strong community oversight committee with the strength to combat scheduling chosen by the public radio staff.

Public radio is not responding to the needs of this area, and our Representative Anita Haskell, telephone 827-7296 and Sen. Paul Davis, 287-1505, need to know your thoughts on appropriations for public radio. As well, the Appropriations Committee, now working on the budget requests, are Jill Goldthwaite, 287-1635, Peter Mills, 287-1505, Paul Davis, and Mary Cathcart 287-1515. These people are certainly interested in hearing from people of this area, who have no other means of receiving the Saturday opera now that the public radio has discontinued the broadcasts, and endure the loss of afternoon classical music.

Clearly the public radio executives hope people will forget to air their complaints and increased funding will be awarded, without any community involvement in programming. When questioned about the lack of community oversight, Rob Gardiner stated that it is “structurally wrong to report to two masters.” But using the title of public radio implies public and community involvement, and certainly asking for taxpayers’ funds should include some sort of response to local needs.

Florence Weatherly-Bishop

Hudson