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Velie banished by KVEC’s Ron Roy

January 10, 2014

Dave CongaltonBy DANIEL BLACKBURN

CalCoastNews’ Karen Velie has been bounced from the airwaves of KVEC/920 following station management’s receipt of a critical letter from San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson.

Velie, the news site’s publisher and co-founder, was informed of KVEC General Manager Ron Roy’s decision in an email from Hometown Radio talk show host Dave Congalton. Parkinson was angered by Velie’s reporting on a drug raid early in December, and elucidated his concerns in a two-page letter on sheriff’s department stationery.

After taking issue with a number of elements of the article, Parkinson wrote, “I would ask you to please investigate this matter and take all steps that you deem appropriate which I hope will include an apology to the law enforcement officers from the SLO Sheriff’s Office who were involved.”

KVEC manager Roy said he had been “concerned” for some time about controversies surrounding CalCoastNews. Several months ago, Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo served a letter on the El Dorado Broadcasting office in Los Angeles threatening legal action if the KVEC continued to have CalCoastNews reporters on the air.

“On a relatively regular basis there have been questions regarding her (Velie’s) reporting,” Roy said, “and I just got to the point where I am not willing to take a chance on letting something on our airwaves that will get us in trouble.”

Roy said “the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. My responsibility is protecting my license, and my people. I’ve got to make these decisions. I’ve talked to Dave (Congalton) before and I don’t want to deal with this any more. There’s been five years of this nonsense.”

The executive said he made his decision without considering the accuracy of the article questioned by Parkinson.

Congalton wrote on Jan 6, “It is with much regret that I inform you that El Dorado management is no longer comfortable having you appear as a guest on my KVEC radio show. This morning, our vice-president and general manager Ron Roy affirmed his decision to remove you from the broadcast, effective immediately.

“I can’t speak for management, but I know there was concern raised over a recent letter from Sheriff Parkinson disputing your reporting in the restaurant owner drug bust story and subsequent appearance on my show on December 17.

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of such bad news and I remain appreciative of all that you have done for my show, and all that you have done for the community. However, you will also understand that I can have no further comment on this issue.”

San Luis Obispo City Councilman John Ashbaugh and County Supervisor Adam Hill have openly discussed their “boycott” of Congalton’s show as long as Velie was allowed on the air. Ashbaugh has claimed in the past that Parkinson shared that sentiment.

KVEC’s Roy said his decision does not impact other CalCoastNews reporters.


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Well Karen, congratulations. I have to say that reading the comments in here makes me smile that there are so many people who still have a backbone. And you probably were a big part of getting some people to start getting vocal, which is the first step along with “question everything.”


Time and time again we are told that your stories are slanted and misleading. But almost never are we told any details that would lead us to believe that what you said wasn’t at least partly true. In fact, usually, we just hear the same old bull@#(# and no details about what, specifically, you were wrong about. If we do get details, I’m usually uncertain why the details provided even matter,


What a lot of bureaucrats don’t realize is this: a lot of people know when they are hearing nonsense. We’re not stupid. We KNOW how you think. It can be justified or rationalized however they like, we’re not really interested in their reasons so much as we are what they’re actually doing. There are a lot of shady people in the public sector around these parts and SOMEONE needs to rock the boat a little. Thanks!


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My next question? What kind of spine does Dave Congalton have? Does he just roll over and take it or does he stand and say “Not on my watch”?!!!


Hey Dave? Gotta pair?! Time to show ’em off!


Just Sayin’…


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Ron Roy signs his check, I’m pretty sure; what would you do in his place?


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As I have done in the past, stand up and be counted! Simple? No. Uncomfortable? You betcha! But at the end of the day it’s the right thing to do if you actually believe in what it is you’re doing.


Dave is good at what he does, very good, and he adds some balance (and I emphasize “some”) in the shark tank of talk radio where the loudest and most prevalent voice is of the extreme right (by design I believe).


I may have been a bit harsh with my words but this kind of thing pisses me off, as it should all of us, and it appears from Dave’s comment he’s gonna roll with this, damn it! So, we that want a little balance in our media lose out, AGAIN, to those who would silence any semblance of fairness and accuracy in reporting and side with the likes of the Rushes and Glenns of the broadcast world!


Sorry Dave, but in good conscious I cannot listen to your broadcasts any more as that would mean I’d have to tune into the weak kneed, roll over and take anything, I’m scared of the big bad boogey man of the status quo, KVEC.


And to be fair; Eldorado Broadcastings, grow a pair!!!


Just sayin’…


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JrStone: Dave is not the one to put pressure on KVEC it is Us the listeners, community members. If we are not willing to voice our thoughts in this why should Dave risk everything if we are not will to, after all this is our community is it not? Now Voice YOUR Thoughts and do not put it on someone else to do so. Send your message to Ron Roy KVEC as the Buck Stops There not with Dave.

RonRoy@edbroadcasters.com


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That was done, contacting Ron Roy, first. Why is Dave “not the one” or at least “one of the ones”? I agree with you that it’s part of our responsibility to voice this but it’s just as much Dave’s responsibility as it is ours. He, Dave, set the tone here. He had these on-air interviews with Karen, Josh and other CCN peoples while it was “okay” to do so but now that the shit hits the fan he bows out?


Edward Murrow didn’t bow out. Daniel Ellsberg didn’t bow out. Julian Assange didn’t bow out. They all had much to lose, they all lost much but in end they chose to do what was right.


But this is what those like Ron Roy, and the far right agenda, counts on; journalism without guts and no ties to the past recognized ethics and canons of journalism.


No wonder progressives are seen as wusses…


Just sayin’…


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the progressives were the first to politically organize around the question:

is it proper for a single family to control the wealth of an entire nation.

so when you bash progressives be aware of what type of filth is in the bath water.


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Nobody is bashing progressives, I’m just stating recognized, reality based fact! Google “progressives as wimps” sometime and see what you find.


Please do me a favor; explain to me what exactly you mean by “…be aware of what filth is in the bath water”. I don’t get it in context to what I stated, as a matter of fact I don’t get it at all.


Thanks.


Just sayin’….


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One more thing; how far has that “question” gotten us, the 1 or 2%’s? Questions are great; they open up awareness, provoke thought; but, questions without action(s) are worthless (IMHO).


Progressives are great at asking the “tough questions” but have a history of shying away from the “tough fight” when it comes down to it. That’s reality, as tough as it is to swallow.


Listen to Thom Hartmann sometime, or Ring of Fire Radio, or Link TV and see what progressive radio and TV with a backbone sounds like.


Just sayin’…


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The first I heard about this happening is listening to the Dave Congalton Show on Friday evening, the 10th of January; my immediate reaction was that station management had buckled under to the wishes of Sheriff Parkinson. In reading the article and the accompanying article about Sheriff Parkinson here on CCN, I feel my first reaction was correct, especially after reading the part about Mr. Roy admitting that made the decision to ban Karen from Dave’s show WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE ACCURACY OF THE ARTICLE QUESTIONED BY PARKINSON. Holly crapoly; Mr. Roy, are you remotely aware of much of a coward this makes you look?

I am in full agreement with all of the assertions being made here by readers and listeners who think this is just another example of a government leader covering his ass by demonizing the reporting on his or his agencies’ actions. To say I am disappointed is no exaggeration; to say I am surprised would be. I did not vote for Sheriff Parkinson, I did not believe that he had the maturity to take on such a vital role in our county and execute that role with a determined strive for excellence and openness; sadly, IMO, I am not surprised by revelations like these coming out.

I understand that any group of LEOs is going to be a tight-knit bunch that sticks together and supports each other through thick and thin; but to make mistakes like all humans can do and then go on to cover those mistakes up, to attempt to silence those who report on those mistakes only serves to further reenforce the suspicions of skeptical citizens who feel that those in government, especially those in a position of leadership, should operate in a manner that leaves no possibility of any sort of taint or suspicion of cover up, ever.

This is a sad day in San Luis Obispo county.


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I agree with bobfromsanluis — except with paragraphs instead of a wall of text:-)


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I did hit return, four different times, but failed to put space in between them. Oh well …


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QUOTING BOBFROMSL and CCN: “WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE ACCURACY OF THE ARTICLE QUESTIONED BY PARKINSON.


———–


Yeah, I liked that, too. What kind of limp tool is this Mr. Roy? Oh, wait. I know. He’s the kind of limp tool that bends over for SLO County bullies.


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Chickenshit as Roy’s ban is, I don’t have a problem with it. It’s his station (or his master’s), and his prerogative. I don’t like it, but I can express my dislike by tuning in elsewhere.


What I *do* have a problem with is Parkinson’s chickenshit request for the ban.


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Good point, racket.


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Well, at least it has been done publicly, so those who hear about it will be forewarned that the Mr. Roy is allowing the County is yank him (and KVEC) around by the short hairs and, therefore, you can’t expect to get anything close to the truth from KVEC.


I wonder what other changes Mr. Roy will–like a trained seal–perform for Mr. Parkinson and Mr. Roy’s other county-official masters?


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Indeed, Mary. Since it’s been publicly shown that station management won’t stand up for the station, every bully in the broadcast area is going to demand special treatment from KVEC. Nice.


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As someone has already commented: now we will have the radio equivalent of the Tribune.


I thought that was quite good. Forgot who posted that, though (sorry!)


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Ron Roy is a jerk…..CalCoastNews reporting is not”nonsense.” Pretty soon KVEC will cobecome deaf, dumb and blind like all the other news organizations in this county.

–

He must be bowing to advertisers pressured by certain politicians.


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I guess we now know what Dave was referring to yesterday when he said that because of things that had happened in the last 24 hours, he was rescinding his commitment to be kinder and gentler in 2014. He doesn’t strike me as the type of person that likes being pushed around and I hope he fights back in his own way, knowing of course that they’ll be coming for him next.


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Parkinson was able to get Karen Velie booted from KVEC. I don’t think it is unreasonable to assume that Parkinson can get Dan booted from KVEC, as well.


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Whether true or untrue or controversial.

The power that be and the wealthy controls what they want us to know or believe.

They have no confidence in themselves or to address the the discrepancies other than Sheer power to control thought.

They just destroyed the freedom of the press, 1984.

Everything is as they say it is!

Different view point will be shot down!

Sooner or later it always happens!

KVEC/920 have no spine, it too will go down.


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So right! Reagan and his assault on the “Fairness Doctrine”! This corporate spokesperson disguised as a President asserted the doctrine somehow hurt the public interest and violated free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, and, an appeals court in D.C. upheld it! In 1987 congress tried to bring it back and Reagan vetoed it. It was tried again in 1991but Papa Bush said “No, no, no…” And just for good measure in 2005 the “Fairness and Accountability in Broadcasting Act” was introduced, was referred to committee and, and, and…? Went belly up.


“Fairness?!!! We don’t need no stinkin’ fairness in our broadcasting!”


Just sayin’…..


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Holy Apples and Oranges, Batman!


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And what?!! You’re surprised?!! The Fourth Estate has been in foreclosure for decades now!


You stay at it Karen, Josh, Dan, Bill and Lisa!


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Please, they weren’t much different with Kennedy than they are with Obama. This is why I like to have Republicans in office (not that I like them); but the media crucifies them and has them under a microscope. MUCH better for the public good. Sure, a lot is made up, but it doesn’t stop the press from asking uncomfortable questions.


Look at what happened recently. Chris Cristie had more coverage for his Chicago-style politics than the IRS scandal (remember that?) for the entire year. Gee, a traffic jam is pretty shaddy, but the IRS targeting political opponents on orders from on high, and we get what we got with Benghazi? Thanks, “fourth” estate.


Why should we expect any difference at the State or Local level, then? Trickle down, indeed.


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I think Mr Roy doesn’t have the stomach for talk radio. I don’t think San Luis Obispo has a Yodeling station, he may want to look into a change of formats… and a Sheriff that hates the media spotlight is not unique. Maybe Mr Petersen should hold a confab with Sheriff Joe Arpaio.


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