Statement of REC Networks regarding the applications of the Arizona Community Media Foundation (BNPED-20071016AGQ and BNPED-20071016AGR):

We have been reviewing the NCE Window applications within our area of interest (AZ, NV, So. Cal.) and we are joyed to see that this organization is trying to bring an independent non-commercial station to the Phoenix area. We hope that the station is on the same caliber as progressive stations like KXCI in Tucson and KPFK in Los Angeles.

Unfortunately, the Phoenix area has been devoid of independent media on the airwaves. We have suffered for decades with pre-packaged NPR and commercial network content. Hopefully, free speech will soon reign over the East Valley on 88.7. We are looking forward to it.

Michelle A. Eyre for
REC Networks

REC has made the following updates to support the NCE Filing Window:

BROADCAST QUERY (FMQ)
Applications for original construction permits on non-commercial educational (NCE) stations are now identified by the following line added to the data:
2007 NCE Window Station: Check for MX

Clicking on "Check for MX" will display a "MX" (mutually exclusive) report similar to what we used during the Great Translator Invasion of 2003. The MX application will display the subject station's information and the estimated field strengths of the impacted stations and attempts to compute the distance required to "clear" the other station. On that report, stations that are potentially MX will appear with a red background.

We are very disturbed by comments that are either written or reposted by a well known name in the LPFM community that we feel are racist and degrade one's choice to practice a certain faith.

We do not feel that the use of the LPFM information news groups were the appropriate place to post such messages.

REC has an "agnostic with an open mind" policy where we do not blame an entire religion for the extreme acts of a few individuals.

We feel that such comments made by this individual promote hate either directly or indirectly. We felt these comments were unnecessary.

The Senate Commerce Committee has opened the door to having thousands more LPFM radio stations on the air, not only in rural communities but also in major markets across the country. Some 800 LPFM stations ranging in power from 10-to-100-watts are scattered across the country
but are generally licensed in rural or small markets where their signals don't bump up against the mega sticks that have 50,000-watts or more of power.

By a consensus vote, the committee on Tuesday (Oct. 30) cleared the Local Community Radio Act of 2007 (S.1675) to be sent on to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office, where it could be scheduled for a full Senate vote, probably sometime early next year. The Senate currently faces a back-log of budget and funding bills that require its immediate attention.

On September 18, 2007, Christopher Allen Brackner ended his life in an apparent suicide.

Brackner was a frequent user of REC's property POWERPUFF.COM and went by the username MewSkitty.

The entire REC family is deeply saddened by this tragic incident, especially in light of the multiple situations that led up to this.

While we understand and respect someone's decision to take their own life, we must do what we can to prevent these situations. Unfortunately we sometimes feel backed into a wall and feel that there is no alternative than to just end it all. Intervention in a way that is proactive but not intrusive is one of the best ways of handling situations like this.