My time has come

“I am retiring.”

It is strange to write those words. Wasn’t it just a few short years ago that I graduated from WVU and went to work for WVRC Media station WAJR in Morgantown? Actually, it was almost five decades ago.

I have been obsessed about this decision for a couple of years now. Many of you have had, or will have, the same debate with yourself and with your friends and family: When is it time?

I won’t bore you with all my reasons, the pros and cons, except to say that it feels like it is time. And our company is in a position to turn the Talkline responsibilities over to the able duo of Dave Wilson and T.J. Meadows.

These are two smart, hardworking—and younger—broadcasters. They are anxious for their chance. They are already better than I was the first 10 years of Talkline. Do me a big favor and give them a chance to find their footing. They start on January 6, 2025.

After all, the show must go on. West Virginia needs able minds in the media to shed light on important issues. I know Dave and T.J. are committed to doing that.

As for me? I’ll still be around. I’ll make occasional appearances on Talkline as requested by the new hosts, write a commentary each week (instead of five!), continue on the sports podcast as one of The 3 Guys, and a few more odds and ends.

Meanwhile, some thanks are in order.

Thanks to WVRC Media President and CEO George Pelletier. George is a supportive boss and a committed broadcaster who still believes in the power of radio. He is allowing me to continue to work with the company on a more limited basis.

Thanks to my co-workers. Spending a good part of every day with dedicated professionals, many of whom are also dear friends, reminds me that the whole is greater than sum of the parts.

Thanks to John Raese. The owner of our company is a remarkable businessman who invests in his people and his companies. He is a firm believer in the value of news and information.

Thanks to Dale Miller. Our former company president—and my mentor and good friend—started with two radio stations and built this company to include 31 radio stations, a statewide radio network, as well as digital and video services. Along the way he inspired excellence and set a high bar for all who worked with him.

Thanks to all of you. Thanks for listening to Talkline, reading these commentaries, following me on X and giving me your feedback.  Yes, sometimes the exchanges have been chippy, or even  hostile, but through it all I remained committed to the idea, to paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, that a difference of opinion is not necessarily a difference of principle.

We are always better for having the dialogue and trying to find common ground.

 

 





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