'PAO pow wow or PAO pay-off? Youngstown orphan finds a master

How do they like to pronounce PAO? In the final analysis, it doesn't matter, does it?

After a stint on the wheeling and dealing merry-go-round, it look like WPAO-AM Farrell PA - - a veritable broadcast orphan in the Youngstown area - - is finally going to have a loving caretaker and guardian. It'll be a non-profit caretaker, at that - - Holy Family Communications, comprised of James Wright, Joanne Wright and Mary Ellen Capece - - will be seeing to its care and feeding.

They are getting it for $350K from D&E Communications. D&E bought the rights for its purchase, and the actual license for WRTK-AM in Niles OH, from Clear Channel last year (RBR 4/9/01). It had been licensed to Youngstown Radio License and seemingly had ties to Concord Media Group. D&E got that package for $300K.

D&E will now actually receive $250K - - it is donating $100K of the total price to Holy Family for tax purposes, bringing the total value of the deal to $350K.

In addition to WRTK, the seller owner WABQ-AM in Cleveland. The buyers become a tiny group with this deal - - they also own WLOF-FM in Attica NY and have applied for a noncommercial FM in Lancaster NY.