LAKEPORT — Organizers of KPFZ community radio left Tuesday's Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting with the support of a community and a commitment.

The community support came from the numerous individuals in the room -- some board members among them -- who voiced their alliance with the organizers. The group has an April deadline to boost the signal for KPFZ so that it covers all of Lake County.

The commitment came via a unanimous vote to find ways to provide the $30,000 the KPFZ proponents sought. The county funding was being sought as part of the matching funds needed to secure a $96,000 federal grant.

Overall, the nonprofit station needs $160,000 to go on the air and has raised about $130,000 of that, including the federal grant, according to a document brought to the Supervisor session.

It was not quite a slam-dunk for Andy Weiss, who heads the effort to build the broadcast range of the station. Rob Brown originally expressed opposition to the idea that KPFZ is a voice for democracy.

"I don't feel that democracy is at risk," said the District 5 Supervisor. "Democracy was here a long time before radio."

Brown said he couldn't justify providing $30,000 for the concept when there so many other programs that need funding.

For a while this was an obstacle for the board, which was partially cleared up only when Weiss, responding to a question, said the funds wouldn't actually be needed until July.

The deliberations preceding the ultimate commitment were accompanied by some intriguing rhetoric from those who came to the podium.

Dallas Woll said he, personally, would provide the final $1,000 to get KPFZ on air from his Roto-Rooter business if the Board committed the funds.

Carol Bettencourt, a Red Cross volunteer from Lucerne, took a fatalistic approach to justifying the need for community radio station.

"We need to be ready for the next disaster and to evacuate," said Bettencourt. "We've got to prepare for the national disaster that you know will be here. We can't wait for FEMA—we've got to do it ourselves."

Another speaker, John Roddy, all but harangued the board, exhorting, "Don't say that you don't have the money; you have the money!

"I want that public radio. I really do," he added.

". . .. And I want you to have your own show on that public radio," a grinning Brown shot back.

An impressive segment of community radio support came from Thomas Leon Brown, who said he represented 22 Pomo Indian tribes who want to see the station developed.

Before throwing his vote to the station, Anthony Farrington questioned its sustainability, questioning whether following generations would have the same passion for community radio as present-day proponents.

His question received a response from Susan Krones, a deputy District Attorney and one of the station's proponents.

"Our vision is to train the young people to carry on," she said. "We need to have a training program and we plan to have a training program in-house. We will associate with the schools and have an internship in running a radio station."

Ed Robey, who eventually delivered the motion supported by his colleagues, said that the board needed to make a firm commitment, "and do it in a positive way, not a begrudging way.

"I would support the Board of Supervisors making a commitment that we will come up with the funds."

What followed was a decision to make a written commitment now and deliver the funds after a source for them is identified.

Weiss called the decision "fantastic."

"It was important for the board to make a 5-0 decision," he said "It shows that the county government is interested in promoting united communications around the lake. We haven't had that, but we're going to now."

Weiss added that Mt. Konocti ownership issues that needed to be settled before KPFZ could install its signal there have been resolved.

"We're ready to go now," he said.