Wnrz Community Radio Snuffed

WNRZ Community Radio Snuffed

Not only was there no advance word of the shut-out, but just two weeks before at a meeting with the station staff absentee owner Thomas Boodell, Jr., a wealthy Chicago lawyer, said that although he wanted to sell the station he would insure that it would "stay in good hands" sensitive to the interests of the community. Boodell said that he had to sell the station because it was losing money, but that the staff shouldn't worry because "I can assure you there will be no surprises."

Two weeks later Boodell, who had inherited the station from his father, threw the FM staff out without warning and began simulcasting the AM country station. The word from now ex-manager Sproule is that the station is probably going to be sold to WAAM, who apparently plan to change it over to an automated "middle of the road," essentially pre-taped muzak format.

The offing is a direct result of a continuous series of blunders made by an absentee owner who was unable to staff his station with competent management that could assure good community programming. The station has for the most part been allowed to continually deteriorate to the point where in the last thirty days there's been no full-time FM ad salesperson, forcing the DJ's out on the streets to try and sell enough ads to cover their salaries.

All of this irresponsibility leaves Ann Arbor without community radio programming; no more People's Communications Committee show, no live park program, Blues and Jazz Festival and other live broadcasts, no more Toke-Time or Bob Rudnick shows, no more sisters on the air like Ann Christ or Lisa Gottlieb; Ann Arbor's music and culture is no longer on Ann Arbor radio.

No explanation has yet been offered by the management or ownership of the station to the community as to the present or future plans for WNRZ. The change hasn't even been spoken of on the air.

There is a petition being circulated which will be taken to whoever ends up in control of WNRZ-FM to show broad support in Washtenaw County for community radio. A copy can be found on the back cover of the new SUN, or on a street flyer that will be out around town. Petitions can be picked up and returned to the SUN at 1510 Hill St. or at Discount Records on South University or at the Blind Pig at 208 1st. St. Stay tuned to paper radio for more on the loss of WNRZ.