Sat, Jul 04 2009
|
Published October 05, 2008 12:23 am - It wasn't what she'd planned on. In fact, the thought really didn't even enter her mind, until that trip to Portland. And even afterward -- after the trip was over and she'd done the research -- she still wasn't keen on the idea. Progressive radio the goal for local activist By M. Scott Carter It wasn't what she'd planned on.
In fact, the thought really didn't even enter her mind, until that trip to Portland. And even afterward -- after the trip was over and she'd done the research -- she still wasn't keen on the idea. But Mary Francis believes in community. She's big on diversity. And she likes to hear other voices. So the self-described hippie-turned-community-activist decided to roll up her sleeves and give the project a shot. And now, she's trying to build a radio station -- from the ground up. "I have a friend in Houston," she said. "We met in Portland at a Unitarian General Assembly and got to talking. She realized she'd heard me on her local radio station doing a commentary about the trial of a soldier who refused to go to Iraq." That conversation proved to be a pivotal one. "Later that summer, I met another friend who told me the Federal Communications Commission was taking applications for a new public station." One conversation led to another and soon Francis was considering trying to start a progressive, public radio station in Norman. "I wrestled with the idea for about a week," she said. "Then I finally said OK." Since then Francis has hired an attorney, found an engineer, raised money and filed an application with the FCC -- all for a dream that she really hadn't planned on. A dream to fight, what she believes, is an ever-growing increase of right-wing religious broadcasters. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local news section
OKC man drowns in Lake Thunderbird Sarkeys Foundation gives Oklahoma nonprofits over $1.1 million |
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
 |
||||||
|
||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
© 2008, The Norman Transcript
P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK 73070 Phone: 405-321-1800 Fax: 405-366-3516 Send us your news tips & comments. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Norman Apartments | Norman Attorneys | Norman Auto Dealers | Norman Auto Parts | Norman Auto Repair | Norman Beauty Salons | Norman Car Rental | Norman Dentists | Norman Doctors | Norman Flowers | Norman Hotels | Norman Insurance | Norman Loans | Norman Mortgages | Norman Movers | Norman Pizza | Norman Realtors | Norman Restaurants | Norman Storage | Norman Tax Preparation | Norman Travel | Norman Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
