Pastor Jarrod Parker of St. Mark’s Baptist Church in Omaha was in a recent meeting with YOU, several Black pastors, other Black leaders, Omaha Police Chief, and Governor Ricketts when the Governor made the racist statement,  “The problem I have with you people is . . .”  Pastor Parker left the meeting in disgust.  Again, the Governor validated his nickname, “Racist Ricketts (http://www.tripoetry.com/Letters/reynoldsrap-ricketts.htm).”  

Let’s not forget how the City of Omaha strategically buried the “Anatomy of Traffic Stops” report by Public Safety Auditor, Tristan Bonn; a report that repeatedly detailed instances of abuse of citizens by Omaha police officers.  

Although Community Telecast, Inc. (CTI22) had a budget more than 1500% less than the Knowledge Network and Channel 109, nevertheless, CTI22 broadcast more first-run Omaha-based programs, and more “live” programs than all television stations in Omaha (including all of the commercial stations), and more programs featuring elected officials; and in addition to broadcasting more diversity, CTI22 was the only broadcast entity in metro Omaha to regularly produce and broadcast weekly “prime time” content featuring White women and men, Latina women and men, Black women and men, Asian Women and men, and Native American women and men; but, despite saying you’d look into keeping CTI22 on-the-air (it’s on tape and there are witnesses) at a community meeting in the OOIC building back in 2013, you did not champion the diversity represented by CTI22 and put CTI22 off-the-air.  Even worse, you ignored independent analysis from consultants Moss & Barnett that reported 12.8% to 22% of Cox’s broadcast audience routinely watched CTI22’s diverse programming, which was significantly greater than the national norm of less than 5%. You intentionally killed the right of citizens to publicly convey their concerns via “live” and “vibrant” community public access, and replaced it with canned 30-minute sound-bite programs and a web site with outdated content.  Omaha’s elected officials do not want feedback from or any kind of public discourse.  And now Omaha has experienced civil unrest, violence, destruction of property, and criminal behavior, etc.  What did you expect?  

You should and can do better.  Why don’t you?

Please, give me a call.