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Donors, viewers tell commission PBS is vital; several urge stronger development support
Summary
During lengthy public comment, donors, community members and radio station leaders told commissioners that PBS and local public media are essential for children's education and that disaffiliation could drive away major financial support.
Dozens of public commenters urged the Alabama Educational Television Commission to preserve its affiliation with PBS and to increase fundraising efforts rather than risk disaffiliation.
Michael Schneiderman (speaker S29) thanked the commission for voting to continue the affiliation earlier in the meeting and criticized the McLaughlin Group choice as a politically aligned polling firm. "The McLaughlin Group is clearly a GOP polling firm, not an independent polling firm," he said in public comment.
Other commenters recounted personal reliance on PBS Kids and adult-education programming. "Alabama is always at the bottom 10 states for education ... take away PBS, 1 of the best resources to help educate our children," said Linda Barron (speaker S32), who also noted she increased her personal contribution this year.
Speakers suggested practical next steps, including a formal volunteer development committee to support fundraising, asking commissioners to be personal members of APT, and arranging future meetings in other parts of the state (a motion to move the next meeting to Huntsville was later proposed). Several commenters urged procedural transparency and timely publication of minutes.
