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Articles about Prometheus Michigan: Radio coming to Three Oaks -- group hopes to broadcast public interest, arts programs
Articles about Prometheus Michigan: Radio coming to Three Oaks -- group hopes to broadcast public interest, arts programs 
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| Michigan: Radio coming to Three Oaks -- group hopes to broadcast public interest, arts programs |
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South Bend Tribune (Indiana) November 13, 2004 Saturday Michigan Edition SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. B1 LENGTH: 493 words HEADLINE: Radio coming to Three Oaks; Local group hopes to broadcast public interest, arts programs BYLINE: By SHARON DETTMER; Tribune Correspondent BODY: THREE OAKS -- A radio station tower radiating 100-watts of power to a 3.5-mile radius in Three Oaks may have a high-powered effect on the rural community. In August 2000, a local interest group, including Lee Artz, associate professor of media studies in the department of communications and creative arts at Purdue University-Calumet, applied for low-power FM construction permit approval for three local stations from the Federal Communication Commission. Nothing concerning the status of the applications was heard until the FCC recently issued a construction permit for a station in Three Oaks, Artz said. Construction permits for Chikaming Township and New Buffalo have not yet been approved. The approved permit was issued to Harbor Arts, a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting the arts in the region. The progress in Three Oaks is phenomenal, according to Acorn Theater co-owner and Harbor Arts chairman, Kim Clark. "We're on a road to success," the Three Oaks resident said. "The radio station project and other local developments are a culmination of a dozen years of hard work by many people to enrich the community." A former machinist and union activist, Artz has written articles on cultural diversity and democratic communication. He said he believes that a forum is needed to discuss community issues such as mandatory drug testing for student athletes and downtown revitalization projects. "The station could allow people to talk without being behind the media gatekeeper," Artz said. "The law of the land says that airwaves belong to the public." To that end, a local interest group including Jon Vickers, owner of the Vickers Theatre in Three Oaks, was motivated to establish the Harbor Country Forum group. The group laid the first groundwork for local stations, says David Fink, co-owner of the Acorn Theater. Fink is a member of the station's business planning committee. "We hope that the station is a means to tie the community together," he said. The LPFM station will provide a forum for the public to talk about local issues. "People may want to discuss issues related to the schools. We could broadcast school board and village council meetings for those who can not attend," Vickers said. "We don't want to be edgy or an underground rebellious radio station." There will be music, movie and book reviews as well as local news broadcasts, Vickers said. The station cannot be used for commercial operations. The library will allow Harbor Arts to use a free space to set up broadcasting equipment. "The library is a free space," Vickers explained. "It's a good place for a startup station." The committee fund-raising for the project has 18 months to develop a viable business plan and funding, according to FCC requirements. Initial startup expenses will be $25,959, Vickers said. The next organizational meeting is at 11 a.m. EDT Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Three Oaks Township Public Library. LOAD-DATE: November 19, 2004 |
