Clark Richters of the Kingston News Blog reports that Kingston Area Public Access is facing a shutdown over three months' unpaid rent at their studio, in the Seven21 Media Center.
Just a few months ago, Roll Magazine wrote of a glowing future for the up-and-coming public television project:
Back to Kingston Public Access television, which has had a rough time of it, having had to vacate for renovations for just over a year, and returning to the air last October. But things have been looking up, thanks to a collaboration between KAPA, the Ellenbogen Group, public radio station WKCR, and State Rep. Kevin Cahill’s office. Together they applied for—and secured—a grant for much needed funds to expand KAPA into a larger space from which they can better serve the community, and consolidating public radio, television, and internet content into one community access point.
So what happened to the grant money? (Anyone know?)
A little backstory from the Woodstock Times: Back in October of last year, KAPA crossed swords with Friends Of Public Access (FOPA), the nonprofit that serves as its fundraising arm, over the decision to sign a lease at Seven21. (Thanks, Google cache: Looks like Ulster Publishing's recently-launched new website obliterated its archive.)
But the move did not pass muster with FOPA, which as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit is the only source for tax-deductible donations and grants for the channel. The fundraising group has refused to release money to pay for the new lease agreement. FOPA chairwoman and founder Lisa Alt said that it did not make sense to rush into a deal without a steady source of income. Currently, the fundraising group has about $1,500 cash on hand. In recent years, the group has received small grants from the Town of Ulster and a few other municipalities in the KAPA coverage area. "[FOPA] didn't feel comfortable going ahead and signing a lease unless we had some way to fund it," said Alt. "[The commission]'s goal is to get back on the air no matter what the cost, even if they're back off the air in a few months. I think it's very short-sighted."
