WCHL Forum Today

I take it back. There is really not enough time for calls. They are packing so many speakers on, in so many disparate issues (bullying, merger, health and physical education department---these are all for schools). There is only time for each speaker to get on and spill praise all over WCHL--deserved, to be sure, but I wish they would get to the MEAT of the discussion instead of all spending several sentences thanking WCHL-and then time for a personal statement from each speaker.

WILLR is right---more give and take is the way to go. Next time,

Mr. Stutts, please limit the speakers to maybe 4 per hour--and just don't do any opening statements. We really don't need them. Just have a few questions prepared, and shoot them out.

I would really much rather hear a discussion than a series of statements.

NO OPENING STATEMENTS next time--discussion only is a lot more interesting.

"I wish that there'd been less reading of prepared statements and more give-n-take." WillRthe give-n-take comes when you call in with questions. you can call 919- 929 -9245 and get on the air.

The current discussion is on Airport Road. Since I was one of the ones to support naming something other than a road after Dr. King, I want to acknowledge the importance of open public discourse such as this forum. Before today, I didn't realize how strongly the NAACP and other local leaders feel about naming a main transportation artery named after Dr. King. I support the renaming of Airport Road now that I understand their position.

The current discussion is on Airport Road. Since I was one of the ones to support naming something other than a road after Dr. King, I want to acknowledge the importance of open public discourse such as this forum. Before today, I didn't realize how strongly the NAACP and other local leaders feel about naming a main transportation artery named after Dr. King. I will support the renaming of Airport Road now that I understand their position.

Ron, WCHL's coverage should shame our other broadcast outlets.

Whatever you think of the bias (if there is one) of WCHL, they're out there slugging away....

From what I've read here, I missed some real debate this morning (I can't wait to hear the replay). Maybe some of the segments aren't as amenable, but so far in the 3 1/2 hours I've listened to today, I wish that there'd been less reading of prepared statements and more give-n-take.

Unfortunately, I'm going to miss Ruby's segment - I wish you guys would do Internet broadcasting. Good luck Ruby.

If anyone is interested in reading the report written by the Orange Co Sustainability Committee, it is available online at:

http://www.co.orange.nc.us/shaping/sustrept.htm

Terri

I think this is great and I can't wait until you get it online so that I can listen when I am not at work.

However, I have a serious concern that it is TWO MONTHS before the primary. Why Moses Carey and Margaret Brown? Where is the balance? Where are the other candidates for commissioner? Where is a commissioner or other party against merger?

One would think that WCHL would be more sensitive to the primary timing. For over 50 years, the winner of the Democratic primary takes the commissioner seats.

Moses Carey is in favor of merger.

Margaret Brown does not oppose merger.

Commissioner Brown stated on 12/9/2003 "Moses, I don't disagree with your stand on merger. However, I need to put out to citizens some vision of what a merged system would look like. I just can't move ahead before we do that.". ("Merger is still on the table", 12/11/2003, Kayce Ataiyero, News & Observer; "Merger meeting: More facts", 12/10/2003, Carolyn Norton, The Herald-Sun)

Margaret's Special Hour on WCHL makes it clear, in my opinion, that she is in favor of merger. See for yourself in this transcript: http://www.metasyn.com/ch/viewtopic.php?t=231

Anytime you near an election (primary or general), the media should be sensitive to candidate exposure in all forums.

The two participants here are not talking about their hobbies, but were chosen *because* they are commissioners. Thus, this has political implications which cannot be ignored. There should be balanced exposure with non-incumbent candidates.

Merger is not dead. It is just hibernating for the election.

Thanks,

Mark

HOW WONDERFUL that WCHL is hosting this forum. Is this a regular thing? If not, I would really like to see more and more of this kind to programming on WCHL.

I am really, really looking forward to the following part of the program today!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a hot topic for this town.....

4 pm--5pm Public Schools - Are Our Schools Good for Our Kids?

Ron,

I hope that my earlier comments on the other thread aren't interpreted as criticism of WCHL. The forum is a great idea, and you're absolutely right that we're blessed to have a station that does as much local programming as WCHL. On the other thread, I was expressing my frustration that, although lively, the conversation didn't break the mold of previous conversations about Carolina North, and that some participants didn't seem to recognize the great opportunity WCHL was giving them to talk directly and openly with us, the citizenry. But that's the fault of the participants, not the station!

And while I'm wallowing in the lovefest, let me say that it could only have been The O'Franken Factor that could have dragged me away from the Jim Rome Show in the early afternoons; I hope you're seeing some benefit from that programming move.

p.s. If it sounds like I listen to a lot of radio when I'm supposed to be working, I really don't. Honest!

Thanks for the response, Ron. And you are totally right. I'm only even bothering to be critical because I expect so much from WCHL. I am especially impressed at you taking the time to check in here today when you must be very busy with the forum!

My complaint here is simply that the forum wasn't better publicized so that more community members could listen, participate, and benefit from your hard work. I spent quite a while last night searching the Internet and local media websites (including yours) for any information about the event. I found none.

Granted, there is some benefit just to getting these leaders in the same room and having a dialogue. ( This morning's session showed that. http://orangepolitics.org/unc/your_real_motive_here_bill_is_to_stop_us.html ) But are we just talking to ourselves? Do you really want people to call in and participate, or do you just want to claim that you theoretically included other voices?

It's entirely possible that there was some promotion that didn't reach my personal demographic. But really, why wouldn't you want to tell the world about this incredible day-long program you've developed?

First of all, thank you for listening to our Forum today. WCHL's Chapel Hill-Carrboro-Orange County Forum will be rebroadcast, hour-by-hour, at a later time, so that more people will have the opportunity to hear these discussions.

I have to say that I get a little annoyed when I hear negative comments about what we're doing today. Because...

#1) I challenge you to find another radio station willing to devote 10 hours of its broadcast day to a wide-open discussion of what's going on in our community.

#2) While we are certainly required by the FCC (other radio stations are, too, but with some it's difficult to find evidence that they're meeting the requirement) I don't believe any reasonable person could possibly disagree when I say that we go far, far beyond any requirements we may have.

#3) It takes an enormous amount of preparation nd hard work to pull something like this off...months of planning went into this one-day event. One person, in particular, who should be commended, is our Station Manager, Christy Dixon, who--more than any other person-is responsible for putting this together. We all, and especially Christy, have tried really hard to include folks from the community in the day's discussions. We have invited not just elected officials, and not just public administrators, and other high-profile types, but also some people who are not heard from all the time. You will hear some of these people as the day wears on, and Ruby, I know that you're going to be with us during our 2-3 pm discussion of civil rights and we all look forward to hearing what you have to say. We appreciate your participation, and I think you'll enjoy it!

#4) We may not perfectly reflect the population of our community, but we are trying hard. As always, your input is welcome. As I've told hundreds and hundreds of local folks, you are welcome to do local commentaries on the radio, and we do these every day, Monday through Friday. Just get in touch with me for details.

You can certainly accuse us of being a lot of things; in fact, some may claim that we're boring (today and every day!) After all,

ten hours of talking is not the most exciting thing I can imagine. But please don't accuse us of not being inclusive, or welcoming to the community-at-large, because we're doing our best. Actually, now that I think about it, the conversation about Carolina North was pretty lively.

By the way, if you're listening to our Forum today (it continues until 6 pm, please feel free to call in with your questions, at 929-WCHL (9245) for any of our participants. Thanks!

I just started listening about 20 minutes ago, so I don't know if someone has brought this up, but I can't believe that the myth of inadequate parking continues to be bandied about.

Downtown has a ton of underutilized parking. I work downtown and have also seen the parking dytnamic change over the last 25 years. First, the 'neighborliness' of business lot owners and UNC has steadily degraded in the last 5 years. It used to be that certain lots were available after-hours or during off-peak periods for free. There wasn't an attempt to capitalize on every square inch of land. That, to a great degree, has gone - with Moeser and company leading the charge.

Daily I see plenty of parking space available - it just isn't utilized very effeciently. The town could encourage private lot owners and UNC to 'open up' their hearts (and lots) and return to that old village concept of neighborliness.

On another subject, it was great when Rob (?) brought up "why wasn't using lot #5 as a tie between east and west ends of Franklin wasn't being addressed?". This dynamic seems to have been missed in most of the media reports I've read.

I work in that area and this lot could be used as a pivot point to pull these areas together (it could be a nice resting point between the two). You'd think that University Square could play that role, but if there is a more inhospitable shopping center in this area I haven't found it (wouldn't it be great to remake that zone!).

In the discussion of dowmtown, Kirk Ross of the Indepedent asked if we don't have a "Mayberry Syndrome" that keeps us from considering what happens downtown after dark. Well put, Kirk.

When I was on the Transportation Board, I asked year after year for a Late Night Shuttle that would get folks home safely from the bars. Everyone always looked at me like I was crazy. (OK, maybe that was something else. :-} )

Now someone's talking about how people need more/better information about the parking that is available downtown. Another good point.

Where was WCHL at the dedication of the Black Cultural Center today? The proceedings were great and there were a number of good speakers present, but WCHL was not in evidence. Instead three sisters droned on in their usual Saturday morning rants.

This would have been a great time for some live coverage.

I did note that Jim Heavner was among the 200 or so people recognized for his financial contribution to the project.

Thanks to Jim and many, many others who made the Sonja Haynes Stone Center possible - especially Jimmy Hitchcock, former Chancellor Hooker, and thousands of UNC students who demanded this day (Ruby Sinreich notably among them).