A 6,000-watt Class A FM licensed to Grand Haven, Mich., has agreed to fork over upward of $100,000 to the city government as a resolution to an ongoing tower dispute that forced the Classic Hits station to go silent for two months.
In November 2022, WGHN-FM 92.1 went silent under Special Temporary Authority, because of a contract dispute under the tower lease agreement with the owner of the station’s tower.
The owner of the tower is the City of Grand Haven, and as first reported by Streamline Publishing’s Radio Ink, station President Will Tieman was behind on payments to the city. In June 2022, WGHN was warned about the late payments, as well as alleged contract breaches that Grand Haven City Manager Ashley Latsch claims include the placement of additional antennae and cameras on the tower without consent. Latsch also took aim at WGHN for failing to ensure 75% of its programming was locally originated — something included in the terms of the tower use agreement. Latsch also noted unpaid utility bills and fines for failing to comply with the lease terms that were assessed to WGHN.
Tieman has his own set of facts surrounding the dispute, and says Grand Haven officials declined to meet with him to address the various issues, going so far as to say the city engaged in a “perceived violation” of the contract.
WGHN resumed operations on January 31, 2023, under automatic program test authority with the parameters specified in a FCC Construction Permit granted on Dec. 9, 2022, signaling the move to a new transmitter.
Now, a settlement agreement approved by the Grand Haven city council saw WGHN make a lump sum payment of $18,000 on Monday (7/10). An additional sum of $84,539 is due and will be paid over the next five years.
Tieman gained full ownership of WGHN in April 2007, paying $1.15 million to obtain William Struyk’s 70% interest and Ronald Moss’ 30% interest in the property.
— Additional reporting by Cameron Coats
