LPTV Advocate Gravino Calls Out Wheeler as Bully and Failure in 'Rant'
An FCC item on circulation about preserving a vacant channel in the UHF band for wireless mics and white space devices will be used by the agency to take away low-power TV spectrum, said LPTV Spectrum Rights Coalition Director Mike…
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Gravino in a coalition email he described as a “rant.” The vacant channel strategy was explained to Gravino by “a senior member” of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler's staff during a meeting at the FCC last week, Gravino said. The aide was Renee Gregory, said Gravino's filing posted Thursday in docket 12-268. It said that she "challenged the assertion of the Coalition that Congressional action was needed for the FCC to repurpose TV band spectrum for unlicensed use," and that since the item was on circulation, she couldn't discuss it.Wheeler has “gone rogue” and is ignoring congressional protections for LPTV and translators, Gravino said. He called out Wheeler for refusing to meet with him, calling the chairman “scared,” a bully and a failure. “The professional lobbyists and lawyers who conduct business with the FCC on behalf of clients all tell you to not make it personal, do not make personal attacks on officials, and stick to the facts,” Gravino said. “If no one stands up to the bully, then the bully gets his way, and continues to prey on the weak, and those too scared to speak up.” The FCC did not immediately comment. Earlier last week, Gravino said his meeting was canceled with NAB to discuss his plan to lobby Congress to hold an auction of low-power TV spectrum separate from the incentive auction (see 1505190060).