Everett's local radio program, 90.7 KSER, features a variety of radio shows offering local and national perspective on news and music. It is the only public radio station in Snohomish County and provides an independent voice for local community members. Today, Clipper staff writer Sumit Karn gives us an inside look at the job of one of KSER's radio show hosts, Gary Idleburg, and his radio show, "America's Disappeared."
Born and raised in Kansas City, Gary Idleburg is the local Everett radio program host of “America’s Disappeared,” which emphasizes the justice and criminal punishment system in America and its effect on human lives.
Idleburg got his bachelors degree in Geography at the University of Wisconsin, and completed his Masters degree in Urban Planning at Boston University. He worked in Boston for 3 years after graduate school and then moved to Washington State in 1990. He lived in Olympia, Seattle, and Bellevue and then in 1999, he came to Everett, Washington.
“America’s Disappeared” airs on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m.
“American society tends to put
more road blocks and keep punishing people
even after they get out of prison.”
Q: What was your occupation upon arriving in Everett?
A: Well, I have been working for Snohomish County since 1999. Outside of work, I have been involved with non-profit organizations that are involved in criminal justice reform and advocacy for people who are incarcerated.
Q: What is the organization you are working at now?
A: Right now, I am working with an organization called University Beyond Bars and what we do is we provide opportunity for college education to people who are incarcerated and part of our mission is to educate the public through a radio program called America’s Disappeared at KSER 90.7 F.M.
Q: Can you explain little more about KSER and your program?
A: KSER is an independent radio station. Most radio stations in the Unites States are either privately owned or they are affiliated with the University or some other foundations. But, KSER is completely independent foundation and user supported. I guess they are independent and user supported so they can do unique programs, which is not possible for other radio stations, like things that focus on local issues.
In our program, America’s disappeared, we try to interview guests that are doing work in criminal justice field or people who are doing innovative works to help incarcerated people or we try to talk to political figures. People who are released from prison, sometimes we interview them too, just to hear their story and how they are doing. It’s true that mostly we try to get people to understand that people who are incarcerated or made a mistake that they need to have an opportunity to do something better with their life. Otherwise they will do something wrong with their life and end up in prison again.
Q: How much has this program has worked in the community?
A: To be honest, I am not sure that how many people we reach. But, from time to time the radio station get phone calls from people about how they can be involved or that they liked the program.
Q: How much crime do you see in Everett, WA?
A: Well, the program we do is at the state level. I am not sure the actual crime rate but I know that Snohomish County spends probably 70% of its budget on criminal justice. The amount of crime take place is relatively low.
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