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Community Media of the Foothills KGEM Monrovia Races to Restructure
Monrovia Weekly Sep 13, 2017
Carole Anne Kaufman, left, speaks with Board member Rena Delgado in the studios of KGEM Wednesday morning about the changes. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
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Carole Anne Kaufman, left, speaks with Board member Rena Delgado in the studios of KGEM Wednesday morning about the changes. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
Public Input wanted at board meeting Sept. 19
By Terry Miller
Speculation of changes afoot has been fervent for months now about the future of Monrovia’s local community access television station KGEM which is operated by Community Media of the Foothills.
In a surprise call to the Board of Directors at 2 a.m., executive director Lance Mungia tended his resignation causing a whirlwind of activity and decisions KGEM has to make.
In the interim, Rena Delgado sent out the following to the community:
“Dear Friends of KGEM Studio,
On behalf of Community Media of the Foothills please be advised that our executive director Lance Mungia tendered his resignation on Sept. 12, 2017 effective immediately.
As a long standing board member and Chair of Community Media of the Foothills, I am attending to the numerous tasks of ensuring that KGEM studio remains a viable, necessary and precious resource to the communities it serves.
During this transitional time, we ask for those with talents, skill sets and a willingness to contribute to KGEM’s revitalization consider how they may be of help.
The board is currently in need of the following:
Board members who are available to run for a board seat in our October election.
– Website Master
– Graphic Designer
Please feel free to email me at Rena@renadelgado.com if you would like to contribute and/ or become a valued supporter of KGEM.
On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to welcome you to our upcoming board meeting on Sept. 19, 2017 at 7 PM at KGEM Studio 847 E. Olive Ave., Monrovia.
With Warmest Regards,
Rena Delgado
Community Media of the Foothills”
Longtime correspondent for KGEM, Ralph Walker who heard the drumbeat of changes for weeks now, said he wonders if community media such as KGEM is even relevant anymore with the incredible technology at everyone’s disposal. Walker told Monrovia Weekly that at least 5 staff members have left KGEM amid a storm of gossip and innuendo about the future of the non-profit community access.
We spoke briefly with Delgado at the studios Wednesday afternoon who assures the community that the studio will thrive and survive with this reorganization. On hand also was another supporter of KGEM, none other than Monrovia famous Whistling Diva Carole Anne Kaufman. We asked both women if they thought Community TV was relevant in an internet age.
“Absolutely,” said Board Member Rena Delgado.
“…This is an exciting and creative time in broadcasting and we are more relevant that ever and want to encourage the community to use this remarkable resource.”
Recently, KGEM also reached out to Duarte’s Mayor to consider their collaboration with Community Media of the Foothills and perhaps partnering to provide more access to more people. Televising Duarte city council would be a top priority and a great asset for the neighboring city.
Moreover, Delgado says she wants community involvement for a resource that is exciting and fun as well as a great educational tool. She stresses the importance of attending a meeting next Tuesday so the community can better understand the important role KGEM plays in Monrovia.
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