Station owner says he'll dodge forced sale sale

The legal advertisement says the KGEZ radio station will be auctioned off in a Feb. 22 sheriff's sale.

But station owner John Stokes says that's not going to happen - especially not over a legal dispute involving less than $5,000.

The foreclosure sale was pursued by Eastlan Resources, a company based in Washington state that provides ratings for radio markets, on the grounds that Stokes failed to pay for ratings provided by the company.

Stokes said Thursday that he had a three-year commitment with the company and he refused to pay in the final year because Eastlan provided a faulty product, and that product was provided to his competitors at no cost.

Eastlan pursued its claims in Washington courts, which issued a default judgment that led to the sheriff's sale legal advertisement that appeared in the Inter Lake last week. Stokes is appealing that ruling in the Washington court system.

A local attorney representing Eastlan Resources could not be reached for comment.

Stokes says the sheriff's sale won't happen because he will post a bond that will require him to pay the disputed amount if he is unsuccessful in his appeal.

"I'm not going to let KGEZ property go for $4,000. I've turned down more than $2.5 million from the state," he said, referring to ongoing legal wrangling with the Montana Department of Transportation.

That wrangling was over the acquisition of KGEZ property south of Kalispell for the U.S. 93 expansion project.

The state and Stokes settled that case in November with an agreement giving Stokes $400,000 and the state paying legal fees.

Stokes also faces separate foreclosure proceedings involving a mortgage lender.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com