Community Corner

Huntley Clearing Way for Community Radio

Trustees will vote tonight on special permits for Huntley Community Radio.

Huntley Community Radio is just a vote away from starting its Internet broadcast.

Huntley’s board of trustees will vote on Huntley Community Radio’s request to amend the Huntley’s zoning to allow a radio broadcast from a building at Deicke Park, off Route 47. Huntley Community Radio also is requested a special use permit.

Huntley Community Radio needs to get a permit from the Federal Communications Commission, which soon will be accepting applications for low-power FM stations. At that point, Huntley Community Radio would seek a permit from the village to build a 100-foot tower. The range would be about 25 miles so Huntley Community Radio would be very local.

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Last week, trustees heard plans for the radio. There was general support and only a few questions. Trustee Harry Leopold said he is generally in favor of a radio station but is concerned about a “political party or paramilitary or religious group taking it over and broadcasting propaganda.”

“What safeguards do we have to prohibit it or if it does happen, what remedies do we have,” Leopold asked.

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“We have strict regulations and follow FCC guidelines,” said Huntley Community Radio Executive Director Allen Pollack.

Huntley Community Radio is focused on offering balanced programming and would never allow one group to advocate or promote its agenda. Critical issues will surface, but Huntley Community Radio will not promote any particular agenda, he said.

The nonprofit will be able to begin purchasing equipment and planning its programming with its village permits. Pollack hopes to start the Internet broadcasts by the end of this summer.

The Village Board is holding a public hearing at 7 p.m. for its electric aggregation program, then will hold its regular meeting.


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