-----Original Message-----
From: Lester Radke [mailto:ballot@pacifica.org]
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 5:27 PM
To: Melinda Iley-Dohn; Tucker; ballot@googlegroups.com; PNB@Pacifica.org; pnb_elections@googlegroups.com; kenfree@swbell.net
Subject: Concerning the Assault by Ken Freeland


TO: Pacifica Foundation Community
FROM: Lester Radke, National Elections Supervisor
RE:  Assault by Ken Freeland
DATE: October 19, 2006

 

I have talked to several people who were at the KPFT the evening of October 15th, 2006.  All parties I talked to agree on the following interaction between Ken Freeland and Tucker Bradley, the Local Election Supervisor.

 

1)   Ken Freeland stated:  I was informed that Mr. Aguilar and Ms. Iley-Dohn were going to be taking the calls from listeners. I reminded Ms. Bradley of her promise.  She began making excuses for using them notwithstanding her promise. I  informed her that I would protest both this decision and her breaking  her agreement.

 

2)      Tucker  told Ken that she was in charge of the program and that if there was an intentional glitch like his microphone being turned off that Tucker would be noting that. It was 3 minutes until airtime and we were not miked, and the candidates were not fully briefed. Tucker attempted to brief the candidates.

 

At that point, Ken Freeland leapt at Tucker so that his baseball cap was pushing her forehead backwards. He was spitting saliva in her face as he yelled as loud as he possibly could one inch away "youshutup youshutup youshutup youshutup youshutup youshutup" over and over.

 

 

 

Ken Freeland filed an Unfair Campaign Practice because of this.  He argued that Mr. Aguilar and Ms. Iley-Dohn were biased against him and therefore he implied he had a right to veto them as people who would help the Local Election Supervisor, Tucker Bradley.  

 

A candidate has no right to determine who is helping the Local Election Supervisor.  If bias is shown, there are remedies that can be administered by the National Election Supervisor, such as appearing on additional forums.

 

Instead, Ken Freeland assaulted the Local Election Supervisor.  This is possibly battery in the legal definition of the word, but is definitely assault.

 

The bylaws state that:

 

“Under the direction and supervision of the National Elections Supervisor, each local election supervisor shall coordinate the elections of the Delegates for the radio station area to which s/he is assigned to ensure a fair election in compliance with the terms of these Bylaws.”

 

Because of this assault the Local Election Supervisor will not be able to ensure a fair election if Ken Freeland is present at any events.  He therefore will no longer be permitted to take part in any campaign events, either at the KPFT station or any public events run by the Local Election Supervisor.  This policy is in effect immediately.

 

I attach the Pacifica Foundation’s policy prohibiting workplace violence.

 

 

PROHIBITING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

 

The policy is consistent with what has been called a "Zero Tolerance" approach. Violence or the threat of violence by or against any employee or member of  the Pacifica Foundation’s network is unacceptable and will subject the perpetrator to serious disciplinary action and possible criminal charges. There is no such thing as a "joke" when dealing with this subject. It is not funny when employees speak about "going postal", "getting" another employee or anything remotely similar.

Pacifica Foundation is committed to providing its employees a reasonably safe and healthy work environment, free from intimidation, harassment, threats and/or violent acts. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), workplace violence is defined as:

"any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. It includes, but is not limited to beatings, stabbings, suicides, shootings, rapes, near suicides, psychological traumas such as threats, obscene phone calls, an intimidating presence, and harassment of any nature such as being followed . . .."

 

 

Les Radke
Pacifica National Election Supervisor
ballot@pacifica.org
(510)849-2590 ext.209