KWRD Who owns it this week?

[600kogo]

Things have been really quiet on the KWRD front...I was wondering if anyone has talked to or heard from Jerry Hanszen as to when he is going to own the station? And if Russell dies will the deal get completed? Just curious?? or arae they all laying low so that Phillip Burr and the other protestors of the deal wont make a Fuss. No pun untended.

 

[C414B]

Judging by the crickets, I'm guessing there's no forward movement on this deal.

I'm wondering now who will be happier when this FINALLY goes through -- Hanszen or those of us on the outside looking in?

 

[600kogo]

I would just hate to see this little local station be shut down and go away like the rest of the Russell properties. It would be a shame, the legalities of this seem to be somewhat unknown?

 

[C414B]

Agreed.

It would be a huge slap in Hanszen's face to have resurrected this little heritage AM only to have it shut down because of the incompetent owner from which he's purchasing. Hardly seems fair....but little seems fair anymore when dealing with the guvmint these days.

Hanszen seems to have done a great job of reestablishing KWRD's (and now KPXI's) presence in the Henderson community. If I were still living in Henderson, you bet I would've already been knocking on his door to see how I could get involved.

Had the opportunity when Burr was LMAing it....but there was no $$$ to speak of and I needed something to support a wife (at the time) and me.

 

[600kogo]

Here is a copy of the letter that Russell sent to the FCC.

With regard to the Arkansas and Mississippi Stations, all were being operated under properly filed
LMA's with Hodges Broadcasting, LLC. Tn November of 2003, immediately after closing the
transactions for the above stations, I suffered a series of heart attacks and, subsequently, had donb!a
by-pass surgery. As noted above, in June 2006, 1 suffered a severe stroke, which kept me bedridden
for two years. Due to these severe health problems and my home's distance from the stations, I was
* tr u-u !thig during the time period when
the LMA was in place, and the stations apparently went dark. Accordingly, I do not have accurate
dates of cessation of operations. I believe, however, that the stations, generally, went dark in the
period 2006 - 2007.
I sincerely hope that the foregoing information complies with the statutory requirements and
provides the FCC with all needed information. I also want to express my continued support of Jerry
Hanszen's FCC application to acquire station KWRD 1470 AM.
KWRD is the only radio station licensed to and focusing on Henderson, Texas, and with Mr.
Hanszen's programming, the station has emerged as a vital source of information for local residents,
not only in emergency situations, but also in their daily lives. For instance, Mr. iianszcn has forged
parinerships with Henderson's School District, Fire Department, Police Department and EMT
response teams to ensure the communication of accurate warnings and instructions. Furthermore,
KWRD is now viewed to be a reliable community resource during hurricane - tornado season,
updating residents with lifesaving information. I believe that KWRD, with Mr. Hanszen's
programming, has become a true conmiunity station and a vibrant source of local news and
information and with him at the helm, will be even better. 1 further believe that it wonid bc a
disservice to the community for Mr. Hanszen's pending KWRD(AM) assignment application to be
dismissed as a result of any issues relating to the operation of the referenced stations.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jerry Russell

Here is the link
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=25936

 

[C414B]

I read that awhile back.

Not sure how much (if any) weight it will bear, though. We will see.

Still......

I'm keeping my fingers crossed this transaction can be fully consummated and Hanszen can proceed full speed ahead without this (figurative) noose around his neck.