Dani Heiny

Dani Heiny, general manager of KSMQ, requested the City be a part of a yet to be formed non-profit corporation to accept the transfer of the KSMQ license.She explained that the license was previously owned by the Austin Public School system and that the district feels this is becoming too much of a responsibility.She noted that a group of collaborators have come together to put together a community licensee.She requested the City become a charter member of the board for this new corporation, appoint a representative to the board and commit to a contribution of between $25,000 and $50,000 per year for a three year period or an in-kind contribution.

Dana Heiny, general manager of KSMQ, explained at the council meeting that the license was previously owned by the Austin Public School System and that the district felt the station was becoming too much of a responsibility.She said that a group of collaborators have worked on putting together a community licensee, and she requested that the city of Albert Lea become a charter member of the board for this new corporation.By becoming a charter member the city would have to commit to a contribution of between ,25,000 and ,50,000 per year for a three-year period or an in-kind contribution.

"By becoming a charter member of the board, it will give the city the opportunity to join with other organizations in the region to raise awareness of the great quality of life we have in the region," said Heiny.
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"Although there was no requirement for the number of board members, we feel this group of nine is going to give us the depth and experience that our communities need," said Heiny."All of our members are well-known, established, stable organizations and they will provide us with the opportunity to grow."

KSMQ carries a variety of programming including shows produced and distributed by PBS, children's programing, and programs produced by independent producers.Along with the formation of the board, new programming will be created giving the areas represented by board members the ability to reach a wider audience.

"We look for programming that we think would be interesting, informative and appealing to people that live in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa," said Heiny.

Dani Heiny, of KSMQ, will be present to make a request for the participation of the city in a yet to be formed non-profit corporation that would accept the transfer of the KSMQ license.Heiny will be requesting the appointment of a city representative to serve on the governing board of the new corporation as well as requesting a donation toward the project.