Editor:
With the headline ?KUER Doesn’t Need The Legislature’s Help? in The Chronicle’s View April 20, I agree. KUER doesn’t need the Legislature’s help in its daily business. It doesn’t need its state subsidy nor its tax-exempt status.
KUER doesn’t need its shiny, new, property-tax-free studio. It also doesn’t need its unfair advantage of a state-supported network of transmitters in taking on KCPW, a privately funded station whose concerns really do reflect the public it serves, not the arrogant dreams of misguided station management.
Recently, I ran as a minor-party candidate for a Salt Lake County public office. KCPW was very helpful and accommodating to all parties, while KUER ignored all but the major-party candidates. This egregious public disservice led me to persuade listeners not to contribute to KUER in its pledge drives.
I support the legislative review, and if called upon, I will explain that KUER should not be censored, but should be expected to pay fair-market value of the transmitter space, studio rent, property taxes, and for other unfair advantages it enjoys. In short, privatization. Then we’ll see how ?little? and ?friendly? (The Chronicle’s words) KUER’s competition will pose.
Cabot Nelson
U Alumnus