From: Scelfoj <Scelfoj@aol.com>

To: NTIADC40.NTIAHQ40(piac)

Date: 3/8/98 11:25pm

Subject: Public Comment

To whom it may concern:

As a member of a democratic community, and as a citizen of the United States,

I was entirely appalled to discover that the FCC had given away a piece of my

property--the digital spectrum. It is ludicrous to give away this resource

without charge when it is something that 1) should always remain the property

of the American public, and 2) the revenue from its use should belong to the

public.

This is the approach we take with all other public resources; when we pay for

a "license" to dig clams, for example, we are demonstrating the importance of

the principle that some things are public goods.

I understand that your committee is going to be discussing the "obligations"

of digital broadcasters. Any responsible discussion will begin with how the

public will be compensated for the use of its spectrum.

julie scelfo

(btw, the next order of business should be making sure that the spectrum is

used by diverse groups (not just "diverse" big networks))