SCBC meet tonight, public encouraged to attend

As previously reported, last week, Stephens County is requesting the public’s input to strengthen its petition to the Federal Communications Commission.

In order to make the switch from Greenville, South Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia TV stations, Stephens County must receive approval from the FCC.

And in doing so, the FCC will take into consideration the opinions of Stephens County residents.

Stephens County Clerk Beth Rider tells WNEG News that county administration has set up a drop box for residents to submit letters stating whether they want access to Atlanta stations, or to keep the Greenville stations.

The county’s decision to beef up its application comes after the FCC granted Franklin County’s request to switch station markets.

Stephens County Administrator Phyllis Ayers has met with Franklin County Manager Beth Thomas to review the FCC approval letter, and has started revising Stephens County’s own petition.

For several months, Stephens County has been working to remove the “Orphan County” status imposed by the FCC.

An “Orphan County” status is when the county residents, with satellite TV service, do not receive local news, weather or sports from their home state TV stations.

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

At the beginning of September, Stephens County partnered with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC) to help with its petition.

Ayers continues to maintain that this has been and will remain a main priority for the county.

Rider recommends the public attend the Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting, this evening, and be recorded in the minutes.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and is held inside the Historic County Courthouse.

For additional information regarding the submission of public comments call Rider at 706-886-9491.