Patti M. says:

I used to live in Maynard, and now I live in Stow. I’m pretty P.O.’d about this signal grab, and decided rather than complain impotently on blog after blog, I’d put my displeasure on paper and mail it to the FCC.

Here’s the letter I I wrote and mailed today. If you would like to paraphrase my letter in your own letter, feel free.

——-

Ms. Marlene Dortch
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554

Re: 1800B3-ALV
91.7 FM, WAVM, Maynard, Massachusetts

Dear Ms. Dortch:

I understand that the Federal Communications Commission is considering an application from Living Proof, Inc., to acquire the frequency currently used by WAVM. As I read the FCC letter to all parties concerned (dated 6 October 2005), part of the decision criteria is that “[a]n NCE FM applicant is eligible to receive a Section 307(b) preference if it would provide a first or second reserved channel NCE aural service (in the aggregate) to at least ten percent of the population, provided that this constitutes at least 2,000 people, within the proposed station’s 60 dBu contour.”

According to the aforementioned letter, “Living Proof would serve Lunenburg, Massachusetts, CSN International would serve Lexington, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts would serve Stow, Massachusetts, and NCE Station WAVM(FM), licensed to Maynard School Committee, serves Maynard, Massachusetts. Living Proof is the only applicant to claim that it would provide a new first or second NCE service to 10 percent of the population, and to at least 2,000 people, within its service area, and therefore, that it is eligible for a fair distribution preference.”

If WAVM in Maynard, Massachuetts, had been allowed to increase the station’s broadcasting power from 10 to 250 watts, as they requested five years ago, their broadcasts would have been able to reach a wider audience than they have now.

I am dismayed at the agency’s decision to strip WAVM of their signal and turn it over to a group with no ties to the local community. WAVM is a community-based radio station has direct benefit to the community, providing valuable experience to students, many of whom have gone on to careers in the broadcasting industry. WAVM also benefits the community at large. For example, WAVM television and radio broadcast the annual Beacon Santa Telethon, which raises money for local families who need financial assistance. As far as I am concerned, these are very good uses of airwaves.

I find it odd that Living Proof, Inc., a California organization with no ties to the local community, would be given preference for the frequency currently used by WAVM—one that they have used for some 31 years. WAVM has demonstrated benefit to the local community, whereas Living Proof, Inc., has not, and I resent that, according to the aforementioned letter, “Living Proof, Inc. is TENTATIVELY SELECTED to be awarded a construction permit for a new NCE FM station in Lunenburg, Massachusetts.”

I ask you to reconsider your “tentative” decision.

Respectfully,