By Nicholas L. Dean

Close to four years since starting WRFA, station manager Dennis Drew is looking to take the local, low power, radio for the arts station to a new level.

''We've got something really special here and we're pretty good on the air now, but we're going to get a lot better,'' Drew said, citing the station's consistency and increased professionalism.

Since going live on Sept. 13, 2004, WRFA has defined itself by providing access to the arts through cultural and educational programming. From lectures at Chautauqua Institution and the Robert H. Jackson Center to the half-dozen locally hosted music programs, Drew said 107.9 FM not only delivers on its mission but also offers diversity in its cultural and educational programming.

As for syndicated programming, WRFA broadcasts everything from news programs like Democracy Now! and CounterSpin to niche shows about food, language, gardening, philosophy and entertainment.

Though a comfortable mix, Drew said it is important to push the station forward and develop even more local content - specifically a forum for the discourse of public affairs.

''We're at a point now where we need to make a leap,'' Drew said. ''We need to grow. We're at a level now, which is a good level, but it's time for us to start to replace some of the syndicated programming with more local and live programming.''

Citing recent changes in the area's commercial radio stations, Drew said there is now no public forum for residents to discuss politics and other issues pertaining to the Jamestown area. According to Drew, the idea of a local talk show has long been on his mind, but is not yet feasible for the station.

''This would really underscore the fact that we're interested in serving the community by giving it what it needs,'' Drew said of such a show. ''Part of our mission is to provide a forum for the discourse of public affairs, but we don't have the kind of equipment to do that. We want to get to that level, but we will need help from the community to do that.''

Currently in the midst of his annual fundraising drive, Drew said WRFA is feeling the same pinch so many others are as a result of increased food, fuel and other costs.

''We've been going hand to mouth, day to day, everyday,'' Drew said. ''We really survive by the commitment of our listeners and our fans.''

According to Drew, the station does receive some grant money, but in many cases that money goes directly to fund certain programs. One such example is Hispanic Youth Radio, the money the station receives to fund that program is earmarked for that specific program.

ON AND OFF THE AIR

Through WRFA, the Arts Council for Chautauqua County teaches school five days a week. Partnered with Jamestown High School, WRFA runs the RadioWorks program, which teaches communication and computer skills to a broad range of high school students. In the program, students learn proper diction, research techniques, interview skills, how to write succinctly and technology skills.

''I like to say that we serve the public both on and off the air,'' Drew said.

In addition to RadioWorks, Drew said WRFA also runs a summer sportscasting program, offers internship opportunities and broadcasts Hispanic Youth Radio - the area's only Spanish-language programming.

''We do that to reach a community that is underserved,'' Drew said of Hispanic Youth Radio. ''We've been supported by private foundations for it and are in our third or fourth group of students.''

For Charleen Garcia and Reuben Hernandez, soon-to-be seniors at Jamestown High School, participating in Hispanic Youth Radio has been nothing but beneficial.

''I heard about it from someone who told me that it was a good opportunity to develop my English skills,'' Garcia said. ''I've stayed with it because I really like it and because it gives the community of hispanics something to listen to other than English. They can find out what's going on around town through the radio.''

''It's exciting,'' Hernandez added. ''The experience we've gotten has been amazing and there's more and more people listening. It's increasing every day. It's a great, great opportunity. I love this job.''

In December 2006, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins toured the WRFA studios and sat in with the station's Hispanic Youth Radio students.

''WRFA offers an amazingly diverse array of programming and exemplifies how great things can happen when public and private entities, students and professionals all come together,'' Higgins said at the time. ''I enjoyed the visit and was very impressed by the thoughtful line of questions from the students.''

Hispanic Youth Radio airs on WRFA each Saturday and will soon switch from a half-hour program to a full hour of news and music.

''I like to think that if you were looking to come to Chautauqua County or Jamestown for a job or for a visit or to start a business, the first thing you might do is tune into our Web site to see what's going on,'' Drew said. I think we're a real voice for the community in the greater world.''

For more information on WRFA-LP 107.9 FM or to donate to the radio station, visit www.wrfalp.com.

via post-journal.com