I'm a bit overwhelmed and truly heartened by the comments I've found here at ibrattleboro. Many thanks for your kind and supportive words.
I was determined to go out a gentleman Friday, and I think it probably came out that way. I hope it did. I was given my notice twenty minutes before I went on the air.
John Clarke and I are indeed concerned about what seems to be happening to the radio philosophy we worked so hard to preserve and maintain, and we wish there were a way to preserve the very special bond the station and this community have shared and enjoyed for so long. Neither of us would have left voluntarily.
Naturally, I'll miss terribly what I did--and what we had--at WTSA.
Programming and personnel decisions must be left to a station's owner. It's always been that way, and it needs to be that way. Radio stations are remarkably pricey little items and he or she, after all, has made an overwhelming personal investment. No individual radio personality is indispensable. Broadcast philosophies, however, are. My fingers are crossed that the new ownership will reflect on the unique qualities of our listening area and move toward the light.
Reactions like yours soften the sadness, by reinforcing my insistence that what we did and the way we did it meshed so very well with this uncommon, independent, observant, wonderful community.
Best always, and again, my thanks,
--John Ashley
WTSA 1984-2007