Mount Holly - Answers
At the top, I must confess that I have mixed feelings about the rules that allow this. If it is being done by either me or someone I respect, I suppose I'd have to be for it. On the other hand, when it's done by some greasy, rotten, no good, ain't never been no good, crook, thief, thug-type person, whose breath stinks, and who does not love Jesus, then I'm definitely against it.
Okay, so why two sides on this. Well, let's talk about the Mount Holly proposal. First of all, it's Art Sutton who's doing this, and, as I have publically stated several times, I have a great deal of respect for Art's passion for local, small-market radio. In my opinion, he's a good operator. No, I don't agree with 100% of what he does, and how he does it, but the friendship is good enough to allow me to give him my unvarnished opinion, even when he doesn't ask for it!!!
Art's operation of WGHC has certainly been acceptable, although he'll be the first to tell you that the FM (WRBN) gets more attention, and that's because it has more listeners, and more business. Still, WGHC provides its own, unique service to Rabun and surrounding counties.
Yes, like SO many others have done, Art has taken advantage of what I consider to be a loophole in the rules. As some of you have pointed out, the FCC has not granted new authorizations for daytime only stations, since the late 80's. This is NOT a new station. It is simply frequency change/city of license change of an already existing station.
NO, I don't think this is what the spirit of ruling was designed to allow. In my opinion, I think the intent was to allow stations in larger, WAY over-radioed markets, relocate to smaller markets...those without local service. I also think the policy was designed to allow stations licensed to tiny suburban communities, to be able to change COL, if the city decided to unincorporate, or even just disappear.
Okay, this rule allows that which positively benefits the public, but it also has its negatives, as well.
Here's the difference between the two (yes, two...more below) applications that Art has filed. compared to SO many others. Yes, WGHC on 1370 will leave Clayton, moving to become Mount Holly's 870. BUT, my flock of fellow flatulators, WGHC Radio WILL remain in Clayton! Huh? What? How? Simple, you barons of broadcast. Simultaneously with the application to move the exsisting facility from Clayton to Mounty Holly, Art filed an application for a NEW station at Clayton...a fulltimer, which will operate on 1400. Of course, anyone could've applied for the new facility, but Art was prepared, if someone had. If another applicant had ended up with the new Clayton grant, he would've either tried to buy them out, sold the FM to them, or could've even returned the Mount Holly CP, which would've left 1370 licensed to Clayton, making it impossible for a new station to licensed on 1400. It's the great radio chess game, and you have to look at all the possible strategy, before making a move.
Now, about that other Ga-Carolina major change application. Art has also filed to move Elberton's 1400 to one the Atlanta suburbs, becoming a fairly powerful facility on 890. Simultaneously, an application to put a new fulltime station at Elberton (this one on 1490) was filed, and subsequently granted.
What's Art gonna do with the Charlotte and Atlanta permits? SELL THEM, of course, and likely for big $$$. I think it's a win-win. No community has lost a station, while two communities have gained a station. Art gets moolah to invest in his existing operation, allowing him to do an even better job of serving those communities where he operates.
Likely programming on the new Charlotte and Atlanta stations? Mose certainly they'll either do religion or some sort of ethnic/foriegn language format. Attempting a "regular or normal" format, would be laughable, considering the competition in most of these large markets. Those that feel that have no current voice, are always the ones who jump on these type facilities. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but the original permittee usually comes out a winner.
I won't get into some of the others who've filed these type applications. That would lead me into doin' some name callin', so I'll stop right here. <P ID="signature">______________
Jay Braswell - Moderator
Atlanta/North Florida/South Carolina/Georgia Boards</P>
