Beatrice radio personality withdraws school board bid
An on-air personality at a Beatrice radio station withdrew his bid for school board after some of his opponents suggested that reporting farm news and hosting a morning show gave him an edge.
Four of the candidates running against Dave Niedfeldt for a seat on the Beatrice Public Schools’ board demanded that the station, KWBE-AM, give them equal air time. Their claim falls under a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires broadcasters giving time to a political candidate to provide comparable air time to their opponents.
Niedfeldt said Thursday, “Any time I’m on the air, they can come in and ask for equal time.”
He discussed the rule with his boss, then decided to withdraw from the race. Another option was to stay off the air until the Nov. 4 election, but Niedfeldt said that would have burdened co-workers who’d have to take over his duties.
Niedfeldt said he’s won two elections for four-year board terms, but the equal-time issue didn’t come up until last month. He’s worked for the rural station since 1987. It serves southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas.
“I don’t know why it has become an issue now,” Niedfeldt said.
Niedfeldt’s withdrawal leaves seven candidates running for five seats on the board.
Efforts to reach Jon Zimmerman, the first candidate to request equal air time, were unsuccessful. His phone number is not publicly listed.
A message left Thursday for candidate Randy Coleman was not immediately returned. A call to candidate Pamela Kemp Jones rang unanswered.
Candidate Michael Fakler said he learned about the FCC rule from Zimmerman and decided that if others were going to get air time, then he should, too.
“There’s this person who’s been on the board for years and is on the air every single day. I knew (Niedfeldt’s) name and I never met him before,” Fakler said. “The law is there for that particular reason: to make the playing field even for everyone.”
Niedfeldt said he’s made a point while on the air of not talking about Beatrice Public Schools or the election. He reports on agricultural news for KWBE and hosts a morning show most weekdays.
He’ll remain on the school board, as president, until his term expires in January. He’s served on the board since being appointed to an empty seat in 1996.
The district has an estimated enrollment of 2,200 students.
Four of the candidates running against Dave Niedfeldt for a seat on the Beatrice Public Schools’ board demanded that the station, KWBE-AM, give them equal air time. Their claim falls under a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires broadcasters giving time to a political candidate to provide comparable air time to their opponents.
Niedfeldt said Thursday, “Any time I’m on the air, they can come in and ask for equal time.”
He discussed the rule with his boss, then decided to withdraw from the race. Another option was to stay off the air until the Nov. 4 election, but Niedfeldt said that would have burdened co-workers who’d have to take over his duties.
Niedfeldt said he’s won two elections for four-year board terms, but the equal-time issue didn’t come up until last month. He’s worked for the rural station since 1987. It serves southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas.
“I don’t know why it has become an issue now,” Niedfeldt said.
Niedfeldt’s withdrawal leaves seven candidates running for five seats on the board.
Efforts to reach Jon Zimmerman, the first candidate to request equal air time, were unsuccessful. His phone number is not publicly listed.
A message left Thursday for candidate Randy Coleman was not immediately returned. A call to candidate Pamela Kemp Jones rang unanswered.
Candidate Michael Fakler said he learned about the FCC rule from Zimmerman and decided that if others were going to get air time, then he should, too.
“There’s this person who’s been on the board for years and is on the air every single day. I knew (Niedfeldt’s) name and I never met him before,” Fakler said. “The law is there for that particular reason: to make the playing field even for everyone.”
Niedfeldt said he’s made a point while on the air of not talking about Beatrice Public Schools or the election. He reports on agricultural news for KWBE and hosts a morning show most weekdays.
He’ll remain on the school board, as president, until his term expires in January. He’s served on the board since being appointed to an empty seat in 1996.
The district has an estimated enrollment of 2,200 students.
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