KLTV exec leaving after seven months By Janine Manny Apr 03, 2007 The Daily News

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After seven months, Floyd Smith, KLTV executive director, is leaving the position to manage government affairs and media relations for the Oregon Housing and Community Services, the state agency that provides financial and program support for affordable housing.

Smith was hired last August after KLTV was embroiled in controversy over the board of directors' decision to fire longtime director John Glasco in April.

KLTV board president Mark McCrady said Smith had done a good job guiding the public access television station through an intense period of transition.

"We will miss his managerial depth and his passion for bringing the highest possible on-air quality to KLTV," McCrady said. "But we understand Floyd’s need to take on this new challenge, working closely with Oregon leaders in the important policy arena of housing."

McCrady said the board will map a search strategy for finding a replacement for Smith at the April 16 KLTV board meeting.

At Friday's annual meeting, Smith said the most important achievement of his seven months was his drive to budget more than $300,000 to upgrade station equipment and purchase new television cameras for chambers of local governments where KLTV provides live coverage.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for me," Smith said Monday. "I have a strong background in housing, recognize the pressures on low-income Oregonians in gaining and maintaining housing, and expect to provide important policy perspectives at a time when people across the country face mounting housing challenges."

Smith, who owns a house in Portland and resides part-time in Longview, will stay at KLTV until April 13.

Also at Friday's annual meeting, several candidates were nominated for the three seats up for election on the nine-member board. Don McDonald is challenging Nancy Gill for position No. 7. Brent Bradley and Hal Phillips are vying for the vacant seat that was Lenore Dickinson's before she stepped down. Bruce Norris and Jim Johnston are both challenging longtime board member Betty Wilson for her position No. 9 seat.

Ballots and candidate biographies will be sent to all KLTV public members. The ballots will go out April 13 and the new board members will be seated in May, McCrady said.

KLTV is a nonprofit, public access television station serving Cowlitz County on Channels 11, 28 and 29 via Comcast Cable.