Clatskanie resident Carol Brandt noticed recently in the Clatskanie Chief Newspaper a
small announcement stating that Clatskanie could possibly lose its
allotment for a potential commercial radio
frequency to Napavine.
Unfortunately, most Clatskanie residents were unaware of its
existence. If all goes forward as Threshold Communications has
proposed to the Federal Communications Commission Clatskanie
will lose it’s assigned allotment to Threshold Communications,
which is trying to serve Napavine, WA. instead. It would be at 92.9
MHz.
Ms. Brandt states on
the Clatskanie Bulletin Board forum, “Once the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) approves the change, it is
over for us. We likely will never have the opportunity for an FM
station in Clatskanie again. The FM band is too packed, and bandwidth
is a valuable commodity. If anyone knows business, government or
civic leaders, please spread the word!" She adds, “We can stop this by
petitioning the FCC if we move now. By FCC regulations, the complete file is at our library. You need lots of people of VISION-- of what
the station could someday be, and how it could benefit all of
Clatskanie and it’s surrounding environs. The problem is, a broadcast company has filed to take OUR allotment and move it to Napavine,
unless we protest it. That's why the FCC requires a complete file to
be kept in a public-accessible place like our library.”
Ms. Brandt has spoken with Clatskanie mayor, Diane Pohl and alerted
her to the impending reassignment. She cautions Clatskanie folks
about the looming deadline, “The FCC has always been strict, very
strict. If the cut-off for our protest is Friday, 5 pm EST, then we'd
better have something there by 4:59 pm!”
Ms.
Brandt spoke again with an FCC attorney, and found out it is the 11th
hour for making comments, but they will be considered if sent right
away. The good news is that we can send an email of objections to
alert them, but then the letter must be mailed. Below is a sample letter that can be personalized. Please add what you know and love about Clatskanie. Tell your
friends all to personalize it, and if they know organization leaders,
try to get then on board. They must know to send an email AND a letter.
Here is the adress and a sample letter.
Marlene Dortch,
Office of the Secretary
Federal
Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
"Dear Ms. Dortch,
I am writing in reference to your Dec.18 decision,
DA 14-1859. Threshold Communications wishes to move FM Channel 225C3
from Clatskanie to Napavine, WA. I hope that does not happen, and I will
tell you why.
An
important factor is allotment priorities, such as which city will have a
larger population that is served. While Napavine has a slightly larger
population, surrounding Clatskanie there is a large unincorporated
population. We are definitely a very rural community.
Clatskanie
is sort of an "island". It is nearly 16 miles to Longview, WA., the
closest city. Napavine is half that distance from Chehalis. The Longview
radio stations rarely refer to Clatskanie's news and events. They never
come here to interview people. We are not whom they serve.
Although
engineering shows our staion would cover 50 percent of Longview, that
does not show the reality of living in this region. Nor do the numbers
on the map show what a real need Clatskanie has for this FM channel, a
future station.
Thank you for considering these points. If you have any questions, please contact me. I would be happy to help you.
Sincerely,"
For more on this conversation and more detailed responses from other
Clatskanie Bulletin Board members go to
https://www.facebook.com/
