PORT TOWNSEND — A new radio station is heading toward its debut and hoping to have community programming on the air sometime in the spring.
Last week, the station, KPTZ, received a drywall donation that was installed by volunteers and turned the temporary classroom at Mountain View Commons at 1919 Blaine St. in Port Townsend into something resembling a radio studio.
“We have more volunteers than we can count right now,” program manager Larry Stein said.
“Although there are some things, like electrical, where we need to hire people because they need to build to code.”
The goal is to begin broadcasting about the end of March, but this depends mostly on the timely construction of the radio tower on private property on the north end of Jacob Miller Road, Stein said.
Construction of the tower depends on weather, so a firm completion time can’t be established, Stein said.
The station, which will broadcast at 91.9 FM, will feature community-oriented programs that will appeal to the National Public Radio audience, Stein said.
This type of programming will find many listeners in Port Townsend, he said.
“Community radio can succeed here,” Stein said. “A lot of people are hungry for some kind of local media representation that gives them a local voice.
“The local emergency services are also eager for this because it gives them a place where they can broadcast important information,” Stein added.
Stein said that needed information “can be something as mundane as a ferry cancellation.”
The station is looking for volunteers and program ideas that will fit the community, Stein said.
One scheduled show will be a weekly blues program hosted by Barney Burke, a Jefferson Public Utility District commissioner and a former Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader reporter.
“I’ve always wanted to do a blues show,” Burke said.
“The station will provide a lot of those kind of opportunities to people who want to be creative.”
For more information about KPTZ, phone 360-379-6886 or visit www.kptz.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
