Councilwoman considers KIT's air time proposal

YAKIMA, Wash. — A proposal keeping radio personality Dave Ettl on air while he runs for a Yakima City Council seat is being mulled over by at least one of his opponents.

A second opponent, however, said she's definitely not interested.

Incumbent Councilwoman Sonia Rodriguez said she wants a deal giving her air time on other stations owned by GAP West, the parent company of KIT-AM, where Ettl co-hosts a popular morning talk show.

But candidate Sharon Madson says she wants nothing less than equal time.

Under federal law, radio and television stations are required to offer candidates running for office equal air time.

Rodriguez met with station manager David Roederer on Wednesday to discuss options other than equal time.

"I told him I'd think about the options he gave me," she said, noting that she would give him an answer Friday.

Roederer didn't return phone calls Wednesday seeking comment.

However, Ettl said the station can't afford to give candidates the same time he spends on the air.

Rodriguez said options outlined by the station include a daily hourlong show on KIT or some other package that included campaign advertising.

But she said she'd be more interested in air time on some of GAP West's five other Yakima Valley stations. She said she might have a friendlier reception from other audiences than she'd get at KIT because of Ettl's employment at the station.

Madson, however, said she didn't meet with Roederer.

"I'm not in negotiation to work around (Ettl) to keep him on the air, so there was no reason for me to be there," she said.

"I want him off the air," she said, adding that Ettl initially said he'd campaign on name recognition.

She said she's not interested in anything short of equal time and plans to meet with Roederer next week.

The primary election is Aug. 18 and the general election is Nov. 3.

"I'm just thinking if he's off the air, I don't have to keep track of how much time he is on the air," she said.

Ettl, whose career in both television and radio spans about 25 years in the Yakima Valley, said he doesn't plan to talk politics while on the job.

"The exchange is that I'm not talking politics," he said. "And if I do, then they can weigh in. I don't need this current radio venue to get my message out. I'm going to doorbell, I'll find a way to get my message out."

* Phil Ferolito can be reached at 509-577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.