Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 January 19, 2007 DA-07-108 In Reply Refer to: 1800B3-JP Released: January 19, 2007 Mr. Douglas J. Neatrour Latino American Media Organization of Pennsylvania, Inc. 750 Willow Street, 1st Floor Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17046 Mr. Carlos P. Rodriguez Concerned Citizens of Lebanon, Pennsylvania 508 11th Street Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17046 In re: WOMA-LP, Lebanon, Pennsylvania Latino American Media Organization of Pennsylvania, Inc. Facility ID: 134395 File No. BRL-20060301AAR Application for Renewal of License Informal Objection Dear Mr. Neatrour and Mr. Rodriguez: We have before us the captioned application of Latino American Media Organization of Pennsylvania, Inc. (“LAMO”) for renewal of license for low power FM (“LPFM”) Station WOMA-LP, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. On July 17, 2006, Concerned Citizens of Lebanon, Pennsylvania (“CCLP”) filed an Informal Objection to that application.1 For the reasons set forth below, we deny the Informal Objection and grant the application. Background/Discussion. In its Informal Objection, CCLP alleges numerous conflicts of interest arising from the fact that a married couple, Douglas and Dalila Neatrour, are officers of LAMO, operate the station from “private property” owned by Mr. Neatrour, and hold the respective positions of Executive Director and Director of Programming at WOMA-LP. In addition, CCLP alleges that: (1) LAMO does not have a voluntary board of directors; (2) the station does not permit the public to inspect documents; (3) WOMA-LP does not air public service announcements at no charge; (4) the Neatrours have acted inappropriately towards station volunteers and made inappropriate comments during broadcasts;2 and (5) 1 In response, on August 16, 2006, LAMO filed a “Petition to Dismiss Informal Objection” (“Dismissal Petition”). 2 CCLP alleges that “Douglas Neatrour pushed and abused verbally various volunteers” and that Dalila Netrour used the radio station to make negative racial comments, creating a hostile environment and disrupting civility.” Informal Objection at 2. 2 the community is not benefiting from the service provided by WOMA-LP. CCLP provides no documentation or support for any of its allegations.3 In response to CCLP’s allegations, in its Dismissal Petition, LAMO states that it does have a Board of Directors, consisting of five members, who all serve voluntarily. Additionally, it asserts that the current composition of the Board is in compliance with the organization’s by-laws. LAMO also states that, even though LPFM stations are not required to maintain a public inspection file,4 it has chosen to maintain such a file, and that it is available for inspection during regular business hours. LAMO further states that it has consistently aired public service announcements at no charge.5 LAMO’s Dismissal Petition is supported by letters from Robert Anspach, Mayor of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Dawn A. Vitez, Executive Director of the Lebanon County Chapter of the American Red Cross.6 Mr. Anspach states that WOMA-LP has run numerous public service announcements for the Lebanon Police Department, Department of Public Safety, and the Office of the Mayor at no charge. Ms. Vitez states that the American Red Cross has never paid for the numerous public service announcements developed with the assistance of Station staff and aired on WOMA-LP. LAMO also submits statements from numerous community organizations attesting to the Station’s benefit to the community.7 Finally, it indicates that CCLP’s remaining allegations are without merit and fail to establish the violation of any Commission rule.8 Initially, we note that the Commission’s Rules (the “Rules”) do not prohibit married couples from serving on the board of an LPFM licensee and/or holding operational positions at the same broadcast station. The Rules also do not prohibit a licensee from locating its facilities on property owned by one of its officers or directors. Thus, we find that CCLP’s conflict of interest allegations have no bearing on the WOMA-LP license renewal application. Moreover, we find that CCLP’s remaining objections contain neither adequate nor specific factual allegations sufficient to warrant further inquiry regarding renewal of WOMA-LP’s license.9 Furthermore, pursuant to Section 309(k) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”),10 we find that: Station WOMA-LP has served the public interest, convenience, and necessity during the subject license term; there have been no serious violations of the Act or the Rules; and there have been no other violations, which taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse. 3 Id. at 1-2. 4 LAMO is correct. The rules regarding the maintenance of broadcast station public inspection files do not apply to LPFM stations. See 47 C.F.R. § 73.801. 5 See Dismissal Petition at 2-4. 6 Id., Attachment. 7 Id. 8 Id. at 4-5. 9 See Area Christian Television, Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 60 RR. 2d 862 (1986) (informal objections, like petitions to deny, must contain adequate and specific factual allegations sufficient to warrant the relief requested). 10 47 U.S.C § 309(k). 3 Conclusion/Actions. In light of the above discussion, and pursuant to Section 309(k) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and Sections 0.61 an 0.283 of the Commission’s Rules,11 the Informal Objection filed by Concerned Citizens of Lebanon, Pennsylvania IS DENIED and the application of Latino American Media Organization of Pennsylvania, Inc. for renewal of license for Station WOMA-LP, Lebanon, Pennsylvania (File No. BRL-20060301AAR) IS GRANTED. Sincerely, Peter H. Doyle Chief, Audio Division Media Bureau 11 47 U.S.C. § 309(k); 47 C.F.R. §§0.61, 0.283.