I know I don’t “blog” often, and I keep thinking I’ll do more in the future, but I have a very good reason to post this evening.
Matt Patrick is a great voice on local and state issues here in Ohio on 640 WHLO Akron/Canton. He is also the morning drive DJ on 98.1 FM WKDD. Having been in the radio biz for more than 30 years, he has demonstrated himself to be the consummate professional and a compassionate, caring human being.
Professionally, he has done so much for his radio audience and his coworkers. On the FM dial, he has kept his audience entertained, informed, enlightened and awake for their drive to or from work. He has shared stories that brought tears and laughter, and shared the ups and downs of his life. On the AM side of life, he has reached out to people on opposing sides of issues, bringing them together to point out the pros and cons of legislation and ballot issues. He promoted the tea parties and 912 groups who stand up and take advantage of their First Amendment Rights. As for his coworkers, from what I’ve read and heard, he has been a friend, a colleague and a man that the “rookies” look up to and learn from - and is treated as an equal.
As for the caring and compassionate side, he’s done a great deal for his community. He has helped raise money and awareness for so many charitable organizations - Akron Childrens Hospital, Make a Wish Foundation, Austism Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society and so many others. He has also donated his time by participating in and advertising various conservative events, including promoting Ashland’s Tea Party back in April. He is truly a man who walks the walk.
You may be asking yourself, “If he’s such a good man, why does he need saving?”
Matt announced last week that he would not be broadcasting much longer on either station. His last day on WKDD is currently slated for December 18, while his last day on WHLO is planned for December 17. From what I have gleaned, Matt wants to stay on WHLO, but no contract was offered. It is, last I heard, still an option.
I am calling on you, our readers, to help Matt in keeping his job at least at WHLO. Below is a link for a petition drive to keep Matt on the air.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/keepmatt
Please follow the link and the instructions. Our goal is to have at least 1000 signatures within the next couple of weeks.
If you’d like to listen to him, you can catch him live on www.640whlo.com between 9 AM - 12 Noon, Monday - Friday, at least until December 17.
We need to keep Matt on the air as a local conservative voice who has supported us! Now let’s support him!
5:35 am on November 5th, 2009 1
You’re absolutely right, Here is what I wrote on my petition.
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Please, please, please offer Matt Patrick a contract and continue his radio program on air. Matt Patrick does an invaluable service for North Central Ohio in providing a talk radio focus here in our state. All Other news hosts address a national audience, but Matt covers the politicians, the issues that are vital for people to be informed here in Ohio. I wouldn’t doubt that your station is feeling the heat from those politicians who are talked about on Matt Patrick show and may be having to answer tough questions because they are the area of discussion, but that only shows how important he is to the community. Even though I am able to listen to good radio hosts on our local talk radio show 1340 AM, I make a point of switching my radio each morning to listen to Matt, and my radio reception from Akron is scratchy and fades in and out. Still I listen to Matt Patrick because what hs says matters. I listen to the streaming radio of 640 whlo station when I get to work in Mansfield, Ohio, just to hear Matt Patrick. No one interviews the sort of guests he does. It these particularly difficult days for Ohio, we need to hear their live comments and hear them interviewed by someone who will ask the tough questions. Matt does that. Matt is thoughtful, honest and a vital element in the political dialogue for Ohio. Please do the right thing. Keep Matt Patrick on the Air!
7:00 am on November 5th, 2009 2
Thank you! Well said!
9:17 am on December 7th, 2009 3
PLEASE KEEP MATT PATRICK ON WHLO. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING HIM EACH DAY AS I WORK.
SORRY TO SAY…IF HE LEAVES WHLO, SO DO I.
I HAVE TO QUESTION THE STATIONS MOTIVE?
PLEASE KEEP MATT.
11:25 am on December 14th, 2009 4
So, you don’t need Matt in your airwaves? I guess you don’t need me on the other end. If Matt did something to deserve removal, then, we listeners deserve to know at least that the separation was in the interest of the station, broadcasters and it’s sponsors. We buy the products and services provided by your sponsors. Don’t you think you could provide something substantial?
Nice knowing you.
Ted
11:13 am on January 7th, 2010 5
I am upset, I must have missed that Matt was leaving the station. He is truely missed. I am not sold on his so-called replacements. Bring back Matt Patrick.
12:31 pm on March 26th, 2010 6
hope this comment area is still ‘alive’. just now found out about Mat Patrick…don’t care for the ‘replacement’ on whlo, not enough local updates. what has become of Matt Patrick? unfortunalely, i discovered his program too late. is he on any other station locally?