Public comments needed for FCC petition in Stephens County

Stephens County officials are urging residents to come forward and speak in support or opposition to the county’s pursuit to remove ‘Orphan County’ status; and receive access to these Atlanta stations: WSB, WAGA, WXIA and WGCL.

According to County Administrator Phyllis Ayers, one area in the county’s petition to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that is weak is public comments.

FCC rules state that because Stephens, Franklin, Hart and Elbert counties are closer to Greenville, SC than to Atlanta, GA they are in the Greenville broadcast market and can only receive Greenville TV stations.

That also means they are considered “orphan counties” because their citizens with satellite TV service are not receiving Georgia local news, weather, and sports from their home state TV stations.

Stephens County has partnered with the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission (GMRC) to continue assisting the county as it files its petition to the FCC.

Earlier this week, the FCC granted Franklin County’s request to modify their satellite markets so that they can get carriage to Georgia viewers who, due to the configuration of the local Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA), had been only able to get South Carolina stations.

Since Franklin County’s approval, Stephens County has been adapting its own petition based on Franklin County’s letter of approval.

Ayers tells WNEG News that she has been in conversation with Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas, who has provided Ayers with information and the lessons she’s learned to assist Stephens County in their filing.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 24, and ending Monday, Oct. 8, citizens are encouraged to come by County Clerk Beth Rider’s office and drop off their comments concerning this issue.

You must provide your name, address, phone number, and a comment that you are in support or opposition and why.

The county has set up a drop box so that comments are not read by other citizens.

Ayers adds that she encourages any citizen that would like to attend the next Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting and be recorded in the minutes as being in support or opposition and why.

The next meeting, held in the historic courthouse, is Tuesday, Sep. 25, at 5:30 p.m.