By Rick Griffin

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association, a watchdog organization that promotes accountable, cost-effective and efficient government, recently honored three local reporters for journalistic efforts that exposed misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Andrew Keatts of Voice of San Diego was honored with the association’s first-ever Chairman’s Golden Watchdog Award for his coverage of the San Diego Association of Governments’ Measure “A.” Officials said Keatts identified SANDAG’s overestimation of revenue for the ballot measure by billions of dollars, as well as the fact that some SANDAG officials knew about the revenue overestimates during the campaign.

Wendy Fry of NBC 7 San Diego was honored with a Grand Golden Watchdog Award for her coverage of drinking water quality at San Diego County schools. Fry learned the San Diego Unified School District had been aware of elevated chemical levels in its water in at least one school but was still not providing bottled water to students until nearly a month later.

Ashley McGlone of Voice of San Diego was honored with a Media Watchdog Award for her articles uncovering performance issues for more than 20 turf fields at several San Diego schools. Some fields needed as much as $300,000 in repairs.

The award were among SDCTA’s Golden Watchdog and Fleece Awards that recognized the best and worst in local government spending, decision-making and efficiency. Awards were presented May 25 at the Hard Rock Hotel

SDX to Discuss TV Ratings

SDX will present “Measurement Myths and the Importance of Representation,” a presentation from TV ratings company A.C. Nielsen Co., from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, at Downtown Works, 550 West “B” Street. Cost is free for members and $40 per person for non members.

Kelly Abcarian

Speaking will be Kelly Abcarian, senior VP, A.C. Nielsen Co. She is currently responsible for the strategic vision and roadmap for Nielsen’s “Currency Services,” including national and local, audio and print. She has focused on the convergence of devices and cross platform audience measurement. Since joining Nielsen in 2005, Abcarian has held numerous senior roles at Nielsen managing the company’s largest technology platforms and servicing clients in the “Watch and Buy” segments of Nielsen’s business.

Topics will include the methodology behind rating points and how Nielsen combines panels and surveys with data to deliver deeper consumer insights for local TV stations. Ratings results are typically used by TV stations to set advertising prices. The presentation is part of SDX’s ongoing “Inspire” seminar series. For more information, visit SDX at www.sandiegox.org.

Mighty 1090 Golf Open to Help Teach Golf to Underserved Youth

Radio station XPRS 1090-AM The Mighty 1090, operated by San Diego-based Broadcast Company of the Americas, will host its third annual Mighty 1090 Open, a golf tournament fundraiser starting at noon on Friday, June 30 at Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley. Cost to play starts at $150 per player, which includes lunch, banquet dinner, green fees, cart sleeve of balls and miscellaneous items with the 1090 logo (open pint glass, hat and cooler chair). To RSVP and for more information, visit www.TheMighty1090.com

The competition will include longest drive, closest to the pin and putting green contests. Players will have a chance to hang out with talk show hosts Darren Smith, Dan Sileo, Scott Kaplan and former Chargers player Billy Ray Smith, as well as other former Chargers and Padres. Proceeds benefit Pro Kids — The First Tee of San Diego, a nonprofit that motivates underserved youth to excel in life by teaching character development, life skills and values through education and the game of golf. Event presenting sponsor is Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. BCA operates three radio stations in San Diego, including XPRS 1090-AM The Mighty 1090, XPRS-FM 105.7 MAX-FM and XEPE ESPN 1700-AM.

Robin Roth Named Asst. Program Director at KFM-BFM

Radio station 100.7 KFM-BFM has named Robin Roth as the station’s assistant program director. The announcement was made by Mike Vasquez, the station’s program director.

“Robin Roth is synonymous with rock and roll in San Diego,” said Vasquez. “Having her on our programming team on a full-time basis is going to make us stronger. She brings talent, knowledge and the will to do whatever it takes to win.”

With nearly 30 years of experience in San Diego radio, Roth is currently an on-air personality at 100.7. She began her radio career in San Diego spending two years at 92.5-FM, then 18 years at 91X-FM, then Rock 105.3 for three years, then back for six years at 91X-FM, with four of those years as music director.

Owned by Midwest Television, KFM-BFM 100.7 features a variety rock format. Midwest also operates KFMB 760-AM, KFMB-TV CBS 8 and The CW San Diego.

Rick Griffin
Rick Griffin

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.