KOCE ruling is a blessing

Hallelujah, it’s settled.

The battle is over and the station is sold, almost.

A judge ruled in favor of the Coast Community College District

last week and threw out a request by Christian broadcaster Daystar

Television Network to overturn the sale of KOCE-TV to its fundraising

arm.

Daystar’s attorneys claim that the network’s $25.1-million cash

bid should have been named the highest responsible bid by district

trustees in October. Attorney Richard Lloyd Sherman argued that

Daystar’s bid had a higher value than the foundation’s bid of $32

million on a long-term note, since revised to $28 million.

Judge Corey Cramin ruled otherwise.

Although Daystar may not go quietly, or gracefully, we can only

hope it will go. The broadcaster bid, and lost. Fought, and lost. It

is time it go home and start scanning the dial for another station to

purchase.

Daystar, however, has vowed to appeal, which could mean a longer

battle. But it is time to opt for peace. Daystar needs to let go and

stop trying to convert the station.

We pray they will go in peace.

Now all that’s left is for the KOCE Foundation to come up with the

dough. Foundation board members say private and corporate donations

will augment a loan the foundation is working on securing for the

$8-million down payment, which is due once the Federal Communications

Commission approves the license transfer, which is likely to be in 60

to 90 days. Foundation President Bob Brown said they are just

hammering out one last detail on a $10-million loan.

Once that is accomplished, and let’s all cross our fingers, the

roller coaster ride will slow and eventually come to a stop, resting

safely with the foundation, its educational and local programming

safe and sound.

That will be a blessing for all. The foundation needs to

concentrate on finalizing funding and planning its takeover of the

station and not watching a lengthy court battle. It needs to plan for

the station’s future and the college district needs to be freed up to

concentrate on the future of its thousands of students.

Let it be done.