Local leaders won't sponsor group's grant request after DJ's remark

By The Associated Press

02.15.03

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WHITESBURG, Ky. — Magistrates have refused to sponsor a grant application for Appalshop, an arts and entertainment organization in Whitesburg, after a disc jockey on its radio station allegedly made an unpatriotic remark.

The Letcher Fiscal Court voted not to endorse a $300,000 grant application for Appalshop to renovate a building that would be used for an exhibition hall where the public could view the organization’s film documentaries and listen to old radio programs.

Magistrate Wayne Fleming said he found remarks made by Bill Andy Farley, who has a Friday afternoon program on WMMT-FM, offensive. He said that’s why he urged fellow magistrates to refuse Appalshop’s request for sponsorship.

Fleming, a Vietnam veteran, claims Farley told listeners that America has killed more innocent people than any other country in the world. Farley said he doesn’t recall making the statement.

“I don’t think I said that,” Farley said. “I went back through the tapes of the past couple of weeks, and I couldn’t find that at all.”

WMMT station manager Cheryl Marshall said Appalshop will stand behind Farley, even if it means the organization won’t be able to apply for the grant from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“We celebrate our country’s freedom here on this station by practicing free speech,” she said.

Many local residents, including Farley, volunteer as DJs for the community radio station which bills itself as “the voice of the hillbilly nation.” Marshall said the DJs often offer their commentary on local, state and national issues.

“We have some very diverse views on things,” Marshall said. “We do not necessarily agree with those views, but we do provide the space for people to express their views.”

Fleming said he doesn’t object to free speech.

“He’s got the right to make whatever comment he makes, and this country is what affords him that right,” Fleming said.

Greg Howard, vice chairman of Appalshop’s board of directors, said the organization doesn’t condone everything the radio station’s DJs say. Neither does it censor them, he said.

John Cleveland, another volunteer disc jockey at Appalshop, said he was also offended by Farley’s comments and turned off his radio. But, he said, magistrates should not throw out the entire organization because of one person’s opinion.

Katie Dollarhide, another member of the Appalshop board of directors whose father is a World War II veteran, said she also turned off the radio when she heard Farley’s comments.

Even so, Dollarhide said the comments shouldn’t stop magistrates from sponsoring the grant application.