Duncan Calls A Halt To WINX-Radio Purchase

db:winx.pr 97- 172 Contact: Graham Norton, 301-217-2170
Donna Bigler, 301-217-6537

DUNCAN CALLS A HALT TO
WINX-RADIO PURCHASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 1997

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that he has called a halt to the
Department of Public Works and Transportation's efforts to purchase the 1,000 watt WINX-
AM radio transmitter and tower. The radio equipment would have allowed the County to
expand its Enhanced Travelers Advisory System to commuters beyond those currently served
along the I-270 and Rte. 29 corridors. The County's license application with the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) will be withdrawn once an agreement has been
reached with WINX -- the details of which are currently being worked out with station owner
William Parris to terminate the purchase without the County having to forfeit its $50,000
deposit.
"The County Council made it very clear in its budget resolution for FY 1998 that no
operating funds can be spent on an Enhanced Traveler's Advisory Radio System," said
Duncan. "This, in combination with the state's failure to fund half of the cost of purchasing
the equipment, leaves me no choice but to halt what I had hoped would be a welcome service
to commuters Countywide -- being able to tune their car radios to round-the-clock traffic
reports, road conditions, and travelers advisories."
"We're disappointed that we won't be going forward with the purchase. This was an
excellent opportunity to expand our ability to get transportation information out to the citizens
(more)

DUNCAN CALLS HALT TO WINX PURCHASE 2-2-2-2
of Montgomery County," said Graham Norton, director of the Department of Public Works
and Transportation.
County officials this week are working out details of an agreement with WINX-radio
that would provide Montgomery County with $50,000 worth of radio air time for traffic and
public service announcements. In addition, the County would lease land off Crabbs Branch
Way in Rockville at affordable rates to WINX for its radio transmitter and towers. The lease
agreement, subject to County Board of Appeals approval of a special exception, would earn
the County approximately $150,000 during the next five years on property that is currently
not generating any income. An option to extend the arrangement for an additional five years
at the prevailing fair market rental rate would be included in the agreement.
"We share the County's disappointment that what could have been an innovative radio
service did not occur," said WINX owner William Parris. "However, I am very enthusiastic
that this agreement will enable WINX-radio to continue its long history of service to
Montgomery County citizens."
The County's existing Travelers Advisory Radio System will continue to provide
traffic advisories through 12 smaller (10 watt) AM radio transmitters that reach listeners in a
total of 36 square miles located along the I-270 and Rte. 29 corridors. For traffic updates,
commuters can tune to WPBJ-radio at 590 AM along I-270 and WPDD-radio at 1070 AM
along Rte. 29. Traffic information is also available during rush hours on County Cable 55
(Channel 5 on cable-ready sets), and anytime on the Department of Public Works and
Transportation's website on the internet (http://www.dpwt.com).
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