State Hispanic panel offers to help with KDNA problems

YAKIMA, Wash. -- The state's Commission on Hispanic Affairs has stepped into the Radio KDNA fray, citing fears that the financial viability of the nation's first Spanish-language public broadcaster is in jeopardy.

The Olympia group has offered to serve as an arbitrator between KDNA's management and its former employees and longtime listeners, and put an end to the yearlong dispute that has resulted in multiple employee dismissals, strikes and even arrests at the station.

"The continued turmoil is damaging the image of the Latino community, dividing our community and has the potential of destroying (the organization)," commission leaders wrote in the Dec. 22 letter to leaders of both camps.

The dispute has gone so far that some critics of KNDA's management are asking funders to withhold their money until their demands are met.

The station, which operates on an annual operating budget of about $861,000, was started 30 years ago and serves an audience of about 17,000 Spanish speakers in the Yakima Valley. Its parent organization, Northwest Communities Education Center, is housed in a new community center that provides social services, citizenship classes and other programs.

Problems at KDNA began last year after the retirement of longtime executive director Ricardo Garcia. His successor, Maria Fernandez, was hired to bring new energy to the station and community center and to reach out to second-generation Mexicans in the Yakima Valley. She also brought a stricter management style.

Former employees accuse Fernandez of unfair labor practices and bad communication skills. Critics also say she and the board refuse to listen to community members' concerns.

The Hispanic Affairs Commission is worried that the ongoing controversy will scare off the station's major donors, which include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Catholic Charities and the federal government.

"We want KDNA to continue with the work they've been doing. It's been a beacon for many immigrants for many years and now things are in jeopardy," said Manuel Villafan, who represents Yakima and Kittitas counties for the commission.

He said commissioners have heard funders are starting to back out.

"We just want to get to a point where things get resolved," Villafan said. "Right now, it doesn't seem to be happening."

Irma Prieto, the board's incoming chairwoman, acknowledged that station critics "are calling funding sources and asking them not to continue funding us," but said the station has enough funding to operate next year.

Prieto, who works at Heritage University in Toppenish, will replace Jorge Lobos, a longtime board member who has been a lightning rod for many Radio KDNA critics. He will remain on the board, but not as its head.

Dan Capetillo, who leads a community advisory group for the station, said he's heard some community members are asking funders to pull out.

"It's been very dramatic," he said. "I think the community is saying, 'Look, the director is not paying attention to us, the board is not paying attention to us.'

"I think the community has basically come to the conclusion that if nobody is going to act, that the radio station the way it is operating now is more harmful than anything."

While the commission is offering to step in as a neutral mediator, Prieto said previous attempts have only resulted in shouting matches.

Still, she said she welcomes the commission's involvement and genuinely wants to find a solution -- even if that means replacing Fernandez.

"They think we are being stubborn and keeping Maria, but she is doing the job and there isn't anyone else out there right now," she said. "We don't want to have another year like we had this year."

* Yakima Herald-Republic reporter Phil Ferolito contributed to this report.

* Melissa Sánchez can be reached at 509-577-7675 or msanchez@yakimaherald.com.