By John William Johnson
Boynton Beach city commissioners have opposed the sale of local public radio station WXEL to Classical South Florida, citing the potential loss of jobs — and perhaps local programming.
According to some commissioners, the words “potential” and “perhaps” apply because CSF won’t provide post-sale operational or programming details.
In turn, several commissioners want the city to send the state Board of Education a second letter of opposition to the sale.
But City Attorney James Cherof expressed concern at the commission’s Aug. 17 meeting, saying there could be potential city liability through “intervening in a private transaction.” As a result, a draft letter for individual commissioner signing was suggested.
At the commission’s Aug. 3 meeting, CSF President Douglas Evans presented his organization’s plans, saying, “We constantly seek new and innovative ways to address the interests and needs of the communities we serve. We intend to take this same direction in operating WXEL, coordinated with advice from citizens of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.”
Jobs remain the concern of Commissioner Steven Holzman. “I was actually appalled with some of (Evans’) remarks,” said Holzman. “I want to know what (CSF’s) real intentions are, and whether or not jobs are leaving Boynton Beach.”
Commissioner William Orlove also has concerns. “We haven’t seen what CSF is really doing, and as a commissioner and trying to advocate for the community, the answers from Mr. Evans did not put my mind at ease.”
Pointing to IRS filings that say CSF has a current million dollar-plus deficit, Orlove added that he also has concerns about CSF’s financial viability.
Evans said the deficit was part of CSF’s business plan, and that it would be cleared up in three years. Evans also noted that CSF is supported by American Public Media. “By leveraging its considerable endowment (more than $100 million), APM is able to provide financial strength to its supported organizations and to guarantee the financing of radio station purchases and other capital projects, as it will do with the financing of the purchase of WXEL,” he said.
Advisory Board opposes sale
WXEL’s Citizen’s Advisory Board also opposes the sale, and said that splitting management of the TV and radio station likely would result in a predominantly classical format and significantly reduce local radio programming. In a late August statement, the board argued the sale also could result in negative consequences for WXEL-TV, including possible financial failure of the station, absorption by a Miami-based station or another non-local entity, and a failure of the TV station to serve local needs and interests.
“We believe that listeners and viewers are better served by two separate, single-purpose, focused organizations — one for radio and one for television,” argues Evans. “This is borne out in practice, as public television stations and public radio stations exist (even thrive) independent of each other all over the country,” he said.
Neither the city nor citizens board opposition worries CSF, since neither is involved in the sale, said CSF marketing director Jason Hughes.
After hearing presentations from the Community Broadcast Foundation and Strategic Broadcast Media Group at a June 29 public forum, the citizens board has told
the Florida Board of Education that CBF was “the most appropriate successor.”
“If the BOE rejects Classical South Florida's offer, the WXEL community can ill afford to have the stations in limbo any longer with regard to a new owner,” said citizens board Chairman Pablo del Real.
Barry University declined comment on the citizens board endorsement.
WXEL’s license transfer to CSF must be heard and approved by the Board of Education, then be given final approval by the Federal Communications Commission.
In the meantime, a BOE spokesperson said there are no plans to discuss the proposed WXEL sale at its next regular meeting on Sept. 21. The spokesperson added that additions to the agenda could be made anytime up to and including the week of Sept. 13.
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