Editor:
Re: Outdated into spurs fears, July 23
In the July 23 edition of the Optimist, Andy Skotdal, consultant for BBC Broadcasting Inc. (BBC) adds his voice over fears of blanketing interference. About the only thing correct in the article is that BBC purchased the Ferndale towers in 2002. In 1986, then station (KNTR) was granted an increase in daytime power to 50,000 watts. As soon as the power was turned up, Ferndale experienced the powerful storm caused by blanketing interference.
If, as Skotdal claims, KRPI addressed the blanketing interference concerns of Ferndale residents, then why in 2005 did seven community members submit a 250 page informal objection to the FCC, which included 1,162 signatures on a petition? Why did BBC’s own engineering firm submit the following statement in their 2011 report to the FCC to move the towers from Ferndale to Point Roberts: “Organized opposition from a group of community residents in Ferndale (supported by letters of opposition from elected officials in local, state, and federal government) led to a contentious and voluminous license renewal process that left the community of Ferndale as a ‘poisoned well’. While the FCC ultimately approved KRPI’s license renewal application, BBC immediately retained Hatfield & Dawson to assist in finding a new site for the KRPI transmitter that would relieve Ferndale residents of the problems that the current location had caused in an effort to repair ties with a community that no longer wants a transmitter site and is unwilling to support the station”.
These statements were similarly echoed by BBC’s vice-president/director, Gurdial (Dale) Badh, owner of the Point Roberts property, in his declaration to the FCC. Mr. Badh goes on to say that the Point Roberts site “was zoned for use consistent with large AM towers and was surrounded by other large parcels with little or no residential homes in the area”. Since Mr. Badh purchased the Point Roberts parcel personally, he drove through Tsawwassen to get to his property and knows full well that his statement is absolutely false.
Andrew Skotdal can’t have it both ways. As BBC’s consultant and PR representative, he is well aware of the long history faced in Ferndale and by supporting the move to Point Roberts, he is also aware of the misrepresentations and lack of candor BBC submitted to the FCC in their construction permit application. As an industry veteran he should know better. Mr. Skotdal is not immune to his own radio station troubles. In 2009, his station (KRKO) was granted permits to build two 199-foot towers in the Snohomish River Valley after a lengthy court fight. Two of his radio towers were toppled by vandals and a banner with ELF, or Earth Liberation Front, was left at the scene.
Mr. Skotdal’s words ring hollow when he says “any radio frequency interference problems that may arise are easy to resolve.” All the lawyers, engineers and consultants in the world can say that KRPI is committed to being a good neighbour, but as evidenced by their own admission, being a good neighbor didn’t work out so well for the people in Ferndale.
Renee Coe
