KPIX5 and The New Bay Bridge Safety Issues Part 2; Len Tillem, The Loyah, is on Ronn Owens KGO Program And That's Kind of Interesting; Friday Opener

I asked, a few posts ago, if KPIX should be more transparent with its viewers about its relationship with Caltrans and the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge.

KPIX has been doing a lot of bridge opening programming. They're also running a program on the bridge's much-publicized safety issues on Saturday night, all well and good, but how credible can PIX be when its also pubbing the Bay Bridge's scheduled Labor Day opening, which now, given the numerous reports about bad bolts and rods, seems pretty dubious at best.

I asked the PR person at KPIX5 to comment. I explained that the response to my initial post last week drew a considerable amount of response. Readers, journalists, many of you thought it was a legitimate question.

After repeated requests for comment, KPIX5 said nothing. Maybe they think everything is OK and it may be the case. But I'm not one of those. I think it would better if the station were to acknowledge their relationship with Caltrans, sort of like a disclaimer, but we haven't seen that and I find that inappropriate at best.

How can KPIX be working with Caltrans, whose contractors and subcontractors are building the bridge; a bridge that has lots of bad bolts and rods; a bridge that has come under considerable scrutiny as to its overall safety and more importantly, the safety of the public.

KPIX chose to ignore this whole matter and its arrangement with Caltrans. I think that's pretty lame but maybe it's just me. You all have spoken. Too bad KPIX doesn't think this is a big deal and has snubbed many of its viewers.

*Former KGO Radio legal minion, Len Tillem, the loyah, is guesting today, from 11-Noon on the Ronn Owens show. That's pretty interesting but there's a multitude of back stories here.

First off, insiders tell me that Owens would like to have Tillem back in his 12-1PM time slot. So too does advertising honcho, Deidra Lieberman, (no relation). Only logical since Tillem still has a hefty following and, god forbid, something relevant to listen to on KGO.

Another story: I was told by an insider that a few folks at KGO are worried that callers might ask on the air why Tillem was let go in the first place. Expect a lot of heavy screening by Lord Jared and be weary of potential house calls when The Loyah does his thing on KGO at 11.


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KPIX5's New Bay Bridge Dilemma

KPIX will run a program on June 22 about the safety of the new eastern portion of the Bay Bridge. Sounds like a good idea given the numerous press accounts that the bridge is beset with problems and is unsafe.

Here's the kicker: KPIX is also the semi- official local TV station of the new bridge and is promoting the scheduled Labor Day opening. In addition, the station aired this program on the night after the Super Bowl.

Is there something wrong here?

I'm not suggesting that PIX is in cahoots with CalTrans to get the bridge opened up on time so it can take advantage of all the PR associated with this massive project. In fact, the more you read and hear about the very legitimate safety issues, (or lack thereof), the more you think PIX and its suits probably wish they weren't associated with this $7B potential white elephant.

I'm just wondering aloud how the local CBS O and O can execute such a difficult balancing act without the slightest appearance of some sort of conflict of interest. It's a legitimate question that deserves some feedback don't you think? I do.

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