Boosters of a resurrected community radio station acknowledge they will have to build trust before establishing deep bonds with the county government.
Given the county government’s past experiences with Arlington Independent Media (AIM), “we know [a relationship] will take time to build,” Becky Meiers, who with Ted Schneider cofounded Radio Arlington, told the County Board.
However, Meiers came to the Sept. 19 County Board meeting with two “asks” of the government: Allow the organization to have access to a radio room on county-owned property in Courthouse, and allow it to repurpose the existing antenna located nearby.
In response, County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti said the governing body wasn’t in a position to make those kinds of determinations.
“Engaging with our staff, which I believe you are doing, is the right approach,” he said.
As for any future relationship, de Ferranti also was largely mum.
“Sometimes saying less from [the Board] dais is the best way forward,” he said.
At one time, AIM had used revenue from local cable providers to operate a television station in addition to providing radio service, providing a range of locally based programming. But it effectively imploded in 2024, laying off its remaining staff after having run through contributor dollars and about $2 million in county financial support.
In response, county officials authorized an audit of AIM operations that delivered scathing results, forced the organization out of county space near Four Mile Run and seized and auctioned off equipment to partly pay off back taxes and rent. Its radio signal fell dormant.
Radio Arlington, which emerged earlier this year, is unconnected to AIM and is taking a different approach, Meiers told Board members.
“We are all-volunteer, we are grassroots, we aspire to bring people together to make radio that serves the public good,” she said.
The organization has become the licensee of WERA-LP, a low-powered radio station at 96.7 on the FM radio band. It began as “the bare minimum of a broadcast” in July, but hopes to have more substantial operations by next month.
Given its designation by the Federal Communications Commission as a low-power signal, finding WERA over the air long has been problematic even in parts of Arlington.
Yesterday (Sunday), a check of 96.7 FM from a cellphone in Shirlington delivered WCEI-FM, a commercial radio station broadcasting adult contemporary music from Easton, Md. It shares the dial position with WERA.
