Sample Letter to the Fcc

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE FCC

Federal Communications Commission Peter Doyle, Chief, Audio Division Media Bureau, Room 2-A360 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554

Re: FCC File No. BNPED-20000118ACZ Facility Id. 122297, MX Group 990705

Dear Mr. Doyle,

I understand that as a result of Maynard High School’s application to upgrade its radio station, this allowed other entities to apply for a license to broadcast on 91.7FM in the Boston MetroWest area and that the FCC has tentatively awarded the license to Living Proof, Inc. I have since learned that Living Proof, Inc. has proffered a solution that would allow Maynard High School, Living Proof, and CSN International (a third applicant) to operate radio stations within their own geographic spheres. This “solution,” however, will significantly and adversely affect my ability to tune in to WUMB, the UMass Boston radio station, at its Boston signal (91.9FM) because the CSN signal will be broadcast from Lexington and will obliterate WUMB’s signal in my area. I am writing, therefore, to object most strenuously to any solution that would allow CSN to operate a radio station in Lexington.

Although [indicate your town here] may be outside of the primary broadcast area of WUMB, the signal is just strong enough so that I can listen. WUMB is the only full-time folk music station in the country and it would be devastating to me to lose my ability to listen to it. Folk music is vitally important to the social fabric of a society, from historical, sociological, political, and artistic points of reference. WUMB is an important means of preserving and promoting folk music. I have been a listener for many years and would consider it a tremendous and tragic loss to lose my major source of this music. I am proud that Massachusetts is the acknowledged center of folk music in this country. It would not be so without the ability of WUMB to reach such a broad audience.

[Please cite other rationales that may apply. For example, did you set up a special antenna so that you could listen to WUMB? Are you a folk musician? Are you involved in your local coffeehouse? Are you a SAMW camper?]

I vehemently oppose Living Proof’s suggested solution as it would take away from me something that is vitally important to me and others. I know I am not the only WUMB listener in the area affected by this proposal. Please do not consider Living Proof’s solution or any other solution that would in any way interfere with WUMB’s 91.9FM signal in my area.

Sincerely, [your name and town here] cc: John F. Garziglia, UMass Boston Harry Martin, Esq., Living Proof, Inc. Mark Masterson, Maynard School Committee Cary S. Tepper, CSN International Senator Edward Kennedy Senator John Kerry Representative Marty Meehan Representative Jay Kaufman Patricia Monteith, General Manager, WUMB Radio 1/3/05 It is important that you provide a copy of any correspondence you send to the Federal Communications Commission regarding WUMB’s potential signal interference in Lexington to the following four indicated by an (*). Other addresses are provided for your convenience.

* Mark Masterson, Superintendent of Schools Maynard School Committee 1 Tiger Drive Maynard, MA 01754

* John F. Garziglia, Esq. (UMass Boston) Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC 1401 I Street, N.W., Seventh Floor Washington, D.C. 20005

* Harry Martin, Esq. (Living Proof, Inc.) Fletcher Heald & Hildreth, PLC 1300 North 17th Street, 11th Floor Arlington, VA 22209

* Cary S. Tepper, Esq. (CSN International) Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper, PC 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, MD 20904

The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy United States Senate 317 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-2101 http://kennedy.senate.gov/contact.html

The Honorable John F. Kerry United States Senate 304 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-2102 http://kerry.senate.gov/low/contact_email.html

The Honorable Edward J. Markey United States House of Representatives 2108 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-2107 http://www.house.gov/writerep/

The Honorable Martin T. Meehan United States House of Representatives 2229 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515-2105 [email protected]

Representative Jay Kaufman Massachusetts State House Room 156 State House Boston, MA 02133 [email protected]

Patricia Monteith General Manager, WUMB Radio UMass Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125-3393 [email protected]