| This 'n That...........Just My Opinions |
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| Ron Walton | |
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Can't We Just All Get Along? A story we ran this week about the Blacksburg Partnership brought a couple of comments and "shots" to the table. It also brought a bevy of emails to my inbox. Seriously, I'm not trying to "wimp out" on this one, but the best policy for most all of us is to take the old Zen Master approach of "we'll see". If the spirit of the Partnership remains intact and they are truly concerned about the "quality of life" and will listen and act on what that means to many different people, then this will be a good thing for everyone. We'll see.
Good Deeds. Last Sunday evening the alternator in my wife's car decided to go haywire between Charlottesville and Culpeper. Because she was unable to get the vehicle completely off the road (Rt. 29 which is usually heavy with traffic) she called 911. An Albermarle County deputy showed up rather quickly and aided her in getting a tow truck and a ride back to Charlottesville to get a rental car. The deputy went out of his way in helping what was a rough experience. But the amazing part was this - when she asked the deputy who she could write to recognize him, he asked that she not do so. His reasoning - a good deed isn't a good deed if you are recognized for it. Interesting. Figuring Out Step-Daughters. I thought I had this one figured out. Step-Daughter graduates from college. Step-Daughter gets a job. Step-Daughter rents an apartment on her own. I thought I had this one wrapped up until I came home from DC this week and found all of her belongings piled to the ceiling of our dining room. My mind was soon eased when my wife explained that it was easier to load the moving truck at our house than at my Step-Daughter's former apartment in Blacksburg. But then it hit me.........are they talking about my pickup "truck"? Is this going to resemble the Beverly Hillbillies moving in to DC with stuff piled into my truck cruisin' around the beltway? I have been assured that she has a "rental" truck and that my Step-Daughter will be driving the truck. That sounds an awful lot like a "are you really going to let her drive that big truck by herself" coming at me in the near future. Is This For Real? I have read David Grimes' article about local developer Roger Woody selling land to the county about 100 times now. Let me get this straight........he is selling land to the county so they can build a bigger courthouse? Come on.......there's a joke in there that even Roger would laugh at. Media. Scott Stevens of WPSK shame turns 40 this week. The effects of puberty on his voice should start to go away soon. Now if only Red Neckerson would go away again. Remember Pat Kelly from back in the days when 105.3 The Bear was really a Bear? Pat showed up on You Tube this week..............in a dress on a street corner. You can find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX6viADNMsQ. And before I forget, the "Big Johnson" at the "new" Bear needs to find an act that is more than a "poor man's Robbie Raggs". If Cumulus wanted the Robbie Raggs show back, then they should have just hired Robbie Raggs back. Are there troubles at the News Messenger newspaper in Christiansburg? I'd never tell........for now. T-Shirts for Sale! Who's playing "naughty" with t-shirts promoting the "Cruisin' Christiansburg" event this weekend? Seems like someone is giving away t-shirts with a different set of sponsors than the official Cruisin' Christiansburg t-shirts. Almost as good as when the t-shirt people in Myrtle Beach started making t-shirts with Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters on them..........without telling Disney. Don't forget about the Christiansburg Lion's Club golf tournament Tuesday. At last check they still had room for a few more teams. And if you are in the group in front of me, try staying in the fairway or on the greens. My ball rarely lands in those areas and you'll be safe. Comments (8)
  written by NRVaCitizen, June 13, 2008
WUVT rules SWVA! RU is second best, then NPR. Nuff said.
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 written by Scott Stevens, June 13, 2008
Jerry I can assure you that those who left here since we were purchased by Cumulus, left at the disagreement, and at times very vocal disagreement of me. If you don't believe that, get hold of a our previous manager and ask him about the time I quit and started to walk out of his office and he talked me into staying. Or maybe ask my wife about the sleepless nights that followed after this company "Business" decision, or perhaps my Doctor who treated me for high blood pressure as all of this was going down. Point is, I don't have to agree with all of the decisions made here, to work here. Just as I did not have to agree with Walton when he ran the game. At the end of the day, I think I was conditioned so that when I get done kicking, screaming, and in general disagreeing with a manager, no employee is going to know that I ever disagreed with the manager.
As to the other stuff, upon reflection, I should not have written my response only minutes after I read Ron's Opinion. It got personal, should not have, and for that I apologize... and I will not respond again. report abuse
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 written by citizen, June 13, 2008
I cannot believe what venom is spewing from Scott Stevens over a funny comment about turning 40! His rant is totally uncalled for. Jerry is right...clearly, Stevens has some issues he needs to deal with that shouldn't be aired online. Turning 40 appears to be the least of his worries!! Wow.
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 written by Ronald D. Walton, June 13, 2008
I'd just soon we all move on. Clearly, Scott has some sort of a personal grudge to settle and I really don't choose to play. My comments about Scott and his stations were simply opinions and I state that. Scott wants to bear his opinions out as "facts". I deeply apologize that I evidently caused Scott to feel I was far more serious in my comments than I was.
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 written by Jerry, June 13, 2008
One would think that maybe Scott Stevens has some issues he needs to resolve. It is interesting how he can say, last week, how Mr. Walton came to help him on many occasions, then throw down on him this week. And while Mr. Stevens talks about "profitablity", he fails to mention how many people (including friends) he has terminated at the behest of his great company in order to achieve "profitablity". Does that make Scott a better person? Scott also seems to forget the dollars Walton allocated to many local charities and organizations each year. What does the great new owners do these days in the way of giving actual dollars to the community - hardly anything. Then there are the many things that Ron brought to the table that are still imitated today - how many times can you run the $107,000 cash grab Scott? Ron's a tough guy and anyone who spent 10 minutes with him towards the last few years knows he didn't want to be there and wanted a break from radio. He was a hard person to work for, unreasonable at best many times. But he was there for me many times, and you too Scott. How many advances does this great new company give you Scott? It takes a person with a lot of courage to stand up and admit alcholism and other shortcomings, such as carrying a lot of blame at the end of his reign with the stations. I have heard Ron stand up and say these things about himself many times. Scott, when are you going to apologize for the negative things you've said about people who left the company and thought you were a friend? I am not any big fan of Ron Walton's and it was tough working for the guy - his way or the highway. But there are some things in Mr. Stevens' comments here that simply paint the wrong picture.
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written by Scott Stevens, June 13, 2008
Well here we go again... Poor old Ron Walton taking shots at the radio station he could not afford to keep. How does it work again? Loose money for 5 years, then finally cave to national company, then criticize they way they do business? Actually trying to be self sufficient, or (God forbid) profitable??? Maybe I should be specific. Let's see, Red Neckerson... On the air in this market most every day for the last 20 years... You on the air, what a year? OK so he might not have the most insightful commentary in the world as he refers to his 400-pound girlfriend Mable, but he is funny, the listeners around here enjoy him. Pat Kelly. Yeah that is funny stuff... I will give you that one. OK Big Johnson. Give me a break. He does not sound nor does he try to sound like Robbie Raggs. My biggest question is why would he want to? I am quoting here: "Robbie is a 3 book talent... 3 ratings periods and his material is burned". Know whom I am quoting here? Wont say his name, but his initials are Ron Walton. The Big Johnson is a programmer. He loves Rock music, and he loves radio. He does not spend his entire shift talking about thongs, porn, hot mommies, and so on. His top priority is not seeing how many naked women he can put on his personal website, it is providing the music that his audience wants, having good contests, and keeping the radio station sounding great. Also I don't think I have ever turned on the radio and herd him saying "Rettt Reeeeelll" or whatever the hell it was Robbie used to say on the air back then. Oh and one other thing... One of the last things I remember you saying as our boss about the Bear when we were meeting to discuss what was going to happen to the format of the station, as classic rock stations always burn out, you said "The Bear has to grow up... not sure what it has to become, but it has to evolve to something". You were right. It did... it made tremendous progress to that end when the old regime was changed, and the new format was put in. Do I get the music they play? Mostly not, but I do not believe I am the target audience... and I KNOW you are not. In fact I strongly recommend that you do not listen to the bear... who knows what it might do to your pacemaker. As for me… Yeah I am 40. Still have not had a heart attack. Not wrapped up in my job enough to have that happen… speaking of which, I am going home to see my girls. Hope you are coming to the barbeque!
Signed... Still love local radio better than the internet. 
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written by Run for the Hills, June 13, 2008
What in the world is in the water in Christiansburg? An even bigger courthouse, dueling tee-shirts (instead of another reenactment of the last rifle duel in the state) and secretive troubles at the local pulp. Then the bickering neighbors (Blacksburg partner shots). Lawsy, better run for the hills (cuz we can't afford the gas). Oh, wait. We're already in them. Now what?
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GET OVER IT PEOPLE! Cumulus is running the radio stations. Plain and simple. If they have faith in Scott than let him run those stations the way he wants or is required.
-PSK Loyal Listener