Posted on Wed, Dec. 21, 2011

West Side native Rick Nagle knows quite a bit about noncommercial community radio.

He spent many years working with KKUP in Cupertino before moving back to Gustine seven years ago. He loves the forum community radio provides for local issues. He appreciates the opportunity it creates for anyone with a specific interest or for students to get some on-air experience.

Five or so years ago, the Federal Communications Commission began accepting license applications for a new noncommercial station in the region. A member of the West Side Theatre Foundation board, Nagle asked the other members to use its nonprofit status to apply. Sure, they said.

Just one catch: The theater foundation agreed to give its name and tax status, but no cash.

"The foundation hasn't spent one dime on the project," he said.

Just one other catch: The station must be fully operational and broadcasting by Feb. 1, 2014, or the FCC will rescind the license.

Hence, a third catch: Money.

Nagle managed to raise the $16,000 needed for legal and licensing fees. The foundation beat out roughly a dozen other applicants to get the FCC's nod in February. But he said it will take roughly $175,000 more to get the station on the air.

The city of Newman will provide $30,000, he said. Gustine's City Council will give the station $25,000 over three years, and Merced County Supervisor Deidre Kelsey pledged $15,000 over two years.

That leaves a $100,000 shortfall, and in an economy not particularly hospitable to nonprofits and fund raising.

"That's where I have to plead ignorance," Nagle said. "I've got no background in fund raising. Right now, the kind of help I'm looking for is with learning who the movers and shakers are in the greater Newman-Gustine-West Side and Modesto areas."

He envisions a station that will serve Gustine, Newman, Patterson and Crows Landing, with a signal venturing as far north as Westley, south to Los Banos and east to Ceres. He envisions a station operated completely by volunteers and automation, staying on the air 24-7.

He envisions programming that would give someone who loves a particular brand of music — bluegrass, zydeco, ragtime, etc. — the time to host a show. He sees the opportunity for organizations or individuals to take to the air to discuss ag land use, water, West Nile virus, economic development, cultural topics and other issues of local importance.

Details about the next spaghetti feed benefit? Tune in to find out.

He hopes the school districts will use the airwaves to inform parents about events and emergencies such as, say, the next time Gustine High closes because of a baby rattlesnake infestation. He also hopes the station can give student announcers the opportunity to broadcast sporting events involving West Side high school teams.

And he envisions a community advisory board that will oversee the programming to make certain it remains local, commercial free and tasteful.

Nagle picked out available call letters that reflect two of the region's interests.

Try KCUD.

"In homage to our dairy industry," Nagle said.

Cud, as in cow's cud. Chew on that one awhile …

"And we're in the flyway with all the hunting clubs," he added. "Backwards, it spells DUCK."

If there's an artist willing to design KCUD's logo, go for it — voluntarily, of course. He's open to suggestions.

What he can't envision, though, is where he'll find that magic $100,000 needed to get the station up and running before the clock strikes midnight in February 2014.

For more information about the station, go to www.westsideradio.org. For information about the West Side Theatre, go to www.westsidetheatre.org. E-mail Rick Nagle at rick@westsideradio.org or call him at (209) 752-8805.

Jeff Jardine's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Local News. He can be reached at jjardine@modbee.com or (209) 578-2383.