Because BPL strategy going forward is an issue on deck for this Board meeting, I thought it necessary to share with you the "wisdom" of Bill Cross (yes, I realize what I am saying here) with respect to the timetable for BPL. While Bill isn't a paragon of useful information, he does have his ear to the ground on BPL and is no fan of OET, that is certain. I called him this morning to pry loose from him any information I didn't otherwise have about pending junk at WTB. I usually do this prior to Board meetings to prevent being blindsided while we are in Connecticut. This time, he didn't have anything new to report (with one minor exception, not now urgently relevant) but he did tell me that the scuttlebutt from OET is that (1) the Chariman is leaving in the Fall, perhaps even before the election, and (2) as his swan song, he wants to have BPL out on the street by "either September or October" at an FCC open meeting. Therefore, the FCC is in hurryup mode on BPL now. I believe that Jim Weaver is correct for a lot of reasons: delay delay delay is our best plan of action here. However, it sure is difficult to stop the train. Derek Riker is on his way to meet Walden's people today, to introduce a new Chwat staffer, and he said he would urge Walden to schedule a hearing on BPL nterference, premised at least in part on interference to public safety at low band VHF. Something to think about enroute. Chris