WYBC, Buckley begin court battle for WNHC

By Melissa DePetris

The court decided upon a method of disclosure and a plan of reorganization. In this plan the exact debts of Willis Communications, which owns WNHC, will be outlined so that a committee can decide what WNHC will repay its creditors. The disclosure statement must be sent out by Fri., Feb 13. The notification of plan hearing is scheduled for Mon., Mar. 2. If it is approved, the plan hearing will be Tues., Mar. 24.

In addition, Buckley vowed to enter into a time brokerage agreement (TBA), under which it would run WNHC on behalf of Willis at its own expense until WNHC's license expires and the station is officially put up for sale in April.

The judge's decision is complicated by Buckley's decision to raise its bid to match WYBC's bid of $650,000. Buckley initially hoped that its vow to maintain WNHC's programming would compensate for its lower bid. But, according to Scott Schwartz, the lawyer representing Buckley, "In general, the court has an obligation to decide the case in the manner that will maximize the value of the property at stake...in favor of the highest bidder, and other factors are not usually taken into consideration."

While the court battle progresses, Buckley continues to pledge not to change WNHC's community orientation. "We have no plans to change the format or the personnel of WNHC. We hope to become an active member of the inner city and represent its voice," Richard Buckley, president of Buckley Broadcasting, said. Buckley also said that his company's commitment to WNHC is in writing, but would not release a copy of the agreement. Schwartz reported that he "hasn't seen a document like that."

Edie Rozier, president and general manager of WNHC, confirmed that a written agreement with Buckley Broadcasting exists. "The new corporation will keep on the 20 present employees and continue to serve the urban community," she said.

Despite WNHC's financial woes, Buckley is confident that he can turn the station around in its current format. "Buckley Broadcasting is in the radio business, and we are seeking to open a fifth station in the region," he said. "We think that in our strategy for broadcasting, the New Haven community fits in well." He claimed that advertisers will be more inclined to purchase time on a Buckley-run WNHC because Buckley can also offer them air time on its 14 other stations.

Still, WYBC program director Emad Abdelnaby, DC '99, expressed doubts about Buckley's intentions with WNHC. "A station can be bought under one format and changed immediately, so if Buckley wins the station, as its owner he would have the right to make this change," he said. Abdelnaby added that all of the other Buckley stations around Connecticut play the same syndicated music.

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