Live Radio Costs

Live radio in Sea Isle will cost $25
By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Updated: Tuesday, June 13, 2006

SEA ISLE CITY — City Commission has introduced an ordinance that would require permits for live radio broadcasts held outdoors on the island.

City officials said the ordinance stems from complaints on Memorial Day weekend at the Ocean Drive Bar & Restaurant, where an outdoor morning radio broadcast upset some residents.

But the ordinance does not attempt to address the content of such shows, including an outdoor broadcast of a Philadelphia-based show featuring the topic “shore whores.” City officials said they don't want to know what the topic of a show is beforehand.

Live radio broadcasts would require a $25 permit through the city clerk's office. It would inform police that the event was taking place, while restating an existing noise ordinance in the city, Solicitor Paul Baldini said. It would also state that sidewalks need to be kept clear.

If it were in effect several weeks ago, the law could have addressed noise complaints beforehand, Baldini said.

“It would not address the concerns that people have in regard to content,” Baldini said. He said it's not a permit issued based on anyone's discretion or beliefs about decency.

The radio station that broadcast the May 26th show cannot be picked up on local airwaves but was heard from the street, local officials said.

“Radio broadcasts have been happening for years and years and years in Sea Isle City and through the country,” said Ralph Pasceri, co-owner of the Ocean Drive establishment. “It does seem a little out of hand to try and regulate those, but if the city chooses to do that, we'd be happy to comply.

“We take our neighbors and the town very seriously. We like to be good neighbors and good citizens. We regret off-color commentary was made,” he said.

Mayor Leonard Desiderio said the law is not attempting to regulate freedom of speech, guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Desiderio said several residents called police May 26 about a broadcast by WYSP-FM 94.1 in Philadelphia.

A representative from the radio station could not be reached Monday.

Responding to the complaints, Sea Isle City police arrived and the bar owners moved the broadcast inside, Desiderio said.

Baldini said the ordinance will be up for a public hearing at 10 a.m. July 18 at the Townsends Inlet Civic Center.

The issue of outdoor broadcasting has been taken up by Town Watch/Town Pride, a local watchdog group that had pressed the city before on events it claims tarnished Sea Isle's reputation. In 2002, the group opposed an annual morning bar event — dubbed Kegs and Eggs — and the event was later voluntarily discontinued.

“We were just concerned about the general image of the city as the content reflecting not being a family resort,” said Gerry Faiss, of Town Watch/Town Pride

To e-mail Brian Ianieri at The Press:BIanieri@pressofac.com