South Florida Classical Review

Richard Rampell

Richard Rampell, a former board member of Classical South Florida, has asked Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the sale of one of its stations, WPBI, according to a report in the Palm Beach Post.

The Palm Beach station, along with WKCP Miami-Ft. Lauderdale and WNPS Ft.Myers-Naples, was recently sold by the Minnesota-based American Public Media to Education Media Foundation, a California religious broadcaster. EMF has changed the three stations’ format from classical music to Christian pop.

Rampell, a Palm Beach County CEO, requested in his July 22 letter to the attorney general that she prohibit the sale of the stations “until a fair airing of grievances” by members of the board and the public.

Rampell says APM negotiated the sale by usurping the authority of the local Classical South Florida board, and presenting the sale as a fait accompli, without seeking alternative buyers or ascertaining whether the $21.7 million dollar sale price was fair. The sale is expected to receive final approval of the FCC by this coming fall.

Rampell also claims APM counsel Sylvia Strobe, in a letter, threatened board members that they could be ejected or subject to lawsuits if they interfered with the sale. Half of the 14-member board resigned before the meeting at which the sale was approved by a 3-2 vote. The deciding vote was cast by APM president Jon McTaggart who refused to recuse himself for conflict of interest when requested by other board members.

A group of Palm Beach County listeners have organized with the aim to buy back the station and return it to a classical format. EDF has indicated it is open to a sale after hearing the community’s reaction.

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In a related development, Miami public radio station WLRN has announced that, starting August 10, its HD radio channel will change format from alternative news and talk to “Classical 24.” WLRN general manager John LaBonia noted that the station had broadcast the stream before Classical South Florida came into being and said it is important to fill the void now that South Florida again lacks a classical radio station. It will be available on HD radios, streaming on the internet at wlrn.org and on I-Phone and Android devices via the station’s apps.

Ironically, Classical 24, largely consisting of Baroque and light classics, is produced by American Public Media. The format is the same automated lineup that made up the central component of Classical South Florida’s programming.

Posted in News

7 Responses to “Classical South Florida board member charges threats by APM, asks attorney general to investigate; WLRN offers an online alternative”

1. Posted Aug 02, 2015 at 2:56 pm by rosa abraira

   The selling of the classical music station is an outrageous act that came suddenly, without any warning.

   I gave donations repeatedly and i am very disappointed at the secretive manner in which this sale was orchestrated.

2. Posted Aug 03, 2015 at 9:58 am by Elisabeth I Kalau

   Thank you, Mr. Rampell, for taking the step you took. It is much appreciated. I was dumbfounded to hear about the sale. My hope is that we will not be without a serious classical music station in South Florida.
   Elisabeth I.Kalau

3. Posted Aug 04, 2015 at 6:35 am by Joyce Reischuck

   Gone- just like that -a wake up call for America!

4. Posted Aug 04, 2015 at 12:36 pm by MARIA GLIKIN

   I AM ABSOLUTLY HEART BROKEN.
   IT IS UNTHINKABLE NOT TO HAVE ONE SINGLE CLASSICAL MUSIC STATION.
   FOR 8 YEARS I HAVE MADE DONATIONS AND ENJOYED THE MUSIC DURING THE DAY AND SOME TIMES SLEEPLES NIGTHS.
   PLEASE WHAT CAN BE DONE.????
   MARIA GLIKIN

5. Posted Aug 08, 2015 at 9:08 am by James McClure

   It is a travesty that this artistic community has lost it’s only classical radio station. Hopefully the enlightened can outwit the scoundrels.
   James McClure

6. Posted Aug 08, 2015 at 1:08 pm by Rosemary Ryan

   Classical South Florida was the backdrop of my life. There is now a huge void which my personal music collection just can’t fill. And while HD radio is a small step in the right direction, I don’t have an HD RADIO, nor do I stream music. After 15 years, I’m actually thinking of moving back to NYC in order to experience a more vibrant music environment. Please contact me if you need donations to help purchase back a station. Thank you and thanks for your years of service.

7. Posted Aug 14, 2015 at 10:20 pm by Andrea Phillips

   THREE CHEERS for Richard Rampell! I do not know what is coming next, but the plan is MUCH appreciated. I am able to get Ft. Myers Classical on my car radio (only). That is NPR with endless talk, but it does surprise one with classical music now and then. I very much hope that the new south Florida effort will return to classical/Classical and not chat/music/NPR. Again, Mr. Rampell, you are NUMBER ONE!

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