As a community radio station, we are required to have a community advisory board. Since our primary service area is Sutton, we asked three Sutton residents to convene the first advisory board meeting.
Zach Renfro, Nancy Bertels, and John Roberston met at the Sutton Library on February 21 to discuss what KVRF can do for Sutton. Here is their list in no particular order:
1. The non-deejayed music streams need to be segmented by genre. People need to be able to tune in at certain times expecting to hear certain kinds of music. (note: this has been implemented.)
2. The station should provide technical support and a broadcast platform for eight one-hour shows to be produced over the next 12 months. These shows will be feature shows dealing in depth with issues of local importance. Examples include coal development, the struggle to afford winter heat, the local drug economy, the challenges faced by rural schools, and the struggles of teenage mothers. John R and Zach R are willing to do much of this work, but require technical training
3. The David and Mike show has spent a fair bit of time on education and transportation issues as these impact the whole Mat-Su Borough and the Palmer area. The show should also spend some time focusing specifically on Sutton Elementary.
4. Sutton and Chickaloon teenagers should be engaged in the technical aspects of program production, especially as related to item #2.
5. The Annual Granite Creek Bluegrass Festival should be recorded and broadcast. Simulcast if possible.
6. Provide technical assistance and a broadcast platform for the Sutton librarian to produce 24 short readings of children’s stories during the next 12 months.
7. Partnership with PJMS and/or PHS and/or VPHS to have student produced content. Students from Sutton and Chickaloon would be encouraged to participate. Would Grant Olson interested?
8. A show focused on Alaska Native issues, especially the concerns of the Chickaloon Tribal Village.
9. Provide technical support and a broadcast platform for a locally produced music show which would play old time and bluegrass music many in the area enjoy. Zach R. is willing deejay this show. He would produce 24 in the next 12 months.
