LETTERS

EDITORIAL on the death of Leland Glazebrook

2010-03-17T08:33:00.004-05:00

This editiorial is being heard as the second portion of the new WHOW and WTIM Morning Farm Show on Monday, March 22nd:

For the second portion of our first-ever morning farm show on WHOW and WTIM, I want to reflect for a few moments, on one of those who literally plowed the ground for what we're doing this morning.

Today is our first day of having a 15-minute show devoted exclusively to local farm broadcasting, each morning, along with 15-minutes every weekday afternoon at 12:20.

This effort would not have been possible, had it not been for those who began local farm broadcasting in Central Illinois 40 years ago.

Leland Glazebrook passed away on Sunday, March 14th at the age of 88. I got to know Leland personally when he was the farm broadcaster on the forrmer WFWA Sullivan, in 1975.

Glazebook, who was from Sullivan, was the farm broadcaster for WLBH Mattoon, from 1968 until 1975. After that, he did farm broadcasting for the former WFWA Sullivan, WDZQ Decatur, and WMCI Mattoon. He also produced daily reports that were sent out on reel-to-reel tape in the 1970's, that were known as the Corn and Soybean Digest.

In 1976, he was elected to the board of trustees at Lake Land College in Mattoon, which is my alma mater. That was a post he held until his death on March 14th.

According to an article by writer Herb Meeker in the Mattoon Journal Gazette, Glazebrook's farm roots ran deep. In the 40's, he along with 2 neighbors, formed the Swine Herd Improvement Association, which became the Illinois Pork Producers Association. He then got involved in farm broadcasting on local radio while still farming.

I worked with him in the 70's in Sullivan, then our paths crossed many times at Lake Land College. I had the privilege of being presented the college's Alumni Achievement Award in 1996. Among the cards congraulating me on my award, was one from Leland, which I have framed in my office to this day. Here's part of what Leland wrote in 1996:

“In these days when so many look to Big Government for their security, it is refreshing to see someone go out and do it on their own.”

It's amazing that his words, written in 1996, hold even more true today.

Glazebrook's passion for agriculture has also been felt all over the Lake Land College campus. It was Glazebrook that helped start many of the agriculture programs on campus, including the John Deere Ag Tech, Pro Tech, and Ag Marketing programs. He also helped establish the college's first-ever permanent extension center in Effingham.

And, even into his 80's, Glazebrook was never satisfied with the status quo. He and I spoke many times about the college's continued growth to serve students across Central Illinois.

And, besides his trademark Stetson hat he wore everywhere and at all times, there was this Leland-ism that he always closed any of his farm reporting with: If you eat, then you, too, are involved in agriculture.

I think that's a great way to close out our morning and noon farm shows each weekday here on WHOW and WTIM, because all of us, in one way or another, are involved in agriculture, so we should all take an interest in Central Illinois' largest industry.

I look forward to Deanna's local reporting of farm issues that affect the 10 Central Illinois counties our stations serve. And, we have Leland Glazebrook to thank for blazing the trail for us, doing farm broadcasting before it was cool. Leland, our hat's off to you. Thank you for mentoring me, and mentoring farm broadcasting. We're all the better for it.

My e-mail address is:
editorial@randyradio.com

Editorial: DON'T Pass the Health Care Bill

2010-03-15T14:59:00.001-05:00

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president. In the coming days, the Congress will again consider legislation to radically change the health care system in the United States. We’ve previously editorialized stating our position against this government takeover of our health care system. We again would implore our Congressmen and Senators to NOT pass the nearly 2,000 page bill.

Contrary to what the Democrats have claimed, the Republicans HAVE proposed a different approach to helping insure those who don’t have coverage, by expanding Universal Access programs to guarantee access to affordable health care for those with pre-existing conditions.

The Republicans have also proposed ending costly lawsuits and curb defensive medicine by enacting tort reform.

They have also proposed that insurance companies cannot cancel policies except in the case of fraud, and to allow Americans to buy medical insurance across state lines helping to lower the cost of premiums.

Not to mention the exorbitant cost of the Democrat’s bill, which will further saddle future generations with even more debt added on top of record deficits.

There are lots more reasons why the Democrats’ proposed health care bill should NOT pass, but you get the idea.

It tries to kill a flea with a bulldozer. It’s big, it’s bloated, and it’s one more intrusion by government into our lives. Let’s NOT pass this bill.

That’s our opinion….we welcome yours. Our e-mail address is:
Editorial-at-randyradio-dot-com.

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Station Editorial: STOP Single Payer Health Care

2009-10-27T14:49:00.002-05:00

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president. If you're over 40, the proposed "single payer" medical insurance program being proposed by the President and Congress, should scare you to death! Why? Because your parents will get worse and worse health care NOW, thanks to Medicare paying doctors and providers only 40 cents on the dollar, and a proposal to cut those re-imbursements by another 21 percent.

AND! Fast forward another 20 years. The "single payer" system will have all private insurance companies out of business, and you and I will depend on the government to determine if you and I need that pacemaker, hip replacement, or other major surgery, taking that decision out of the hands of you and I.

The word FREEDOM is never mentioned in the debate....only those 12 million Americans who DON'T have health insurance get mentioned as the reason we're going to supposedly fix health care.

The health insurance industry has floated plenty of proposals to insure those 12 million folks, but the President and Congress aren't listening because they, the GOVERNMENT, want to control health care. Like that's worked out for the Veterans Administration, the Post Office, or the latest boondogle, the nearly one-trillion dollar economic stimulus plan.

It's time to speak up to your US congressmen and senators and tell them YOU want to decide your health care, NOT the government. Tell them NOW, before it's too late.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours. Our e-mail address is:
editorial-at-randyradio-dot-com.

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Letter to the Editor on Ameren Tree Trimming

2009-10-16T15:22:00.002-05:00

Dear Editor: In the September Ameren/CIPS statement there was enclosed a flyer, Facts On Energy. One article was on tree trimming. My opinion on Ameren tree trimming is that it may be a ruse.

Three different times during 2008 it was reported branches and limbs around an electric line to a neighborhood street light. Those reporting times were March, July, and an e-mail to Ameren on November 24, 2008. Ameren acknowledged the e-mail on November 25, 2008. As 2009 now closes, the 18-month-old branches are still around the electric line to the street light.

Therefore, Ameren/CIPS tree trimming may be a ruse. Ameren may adamantly oppose my editorial opinion. The ol' street light is important to this neighborhood at night.

Respectfully,
Thomas P. Strawn
Taylorville, Illinois

Contact Information for Illinois State Legislators

2009-05-19T18:01:00.002-05:00

49th, State Senator
Deanna Demuzio Democrat
Address Phone Fax
M106 Capitol Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706 217-782-8206
140 Carlinville Plaza
Carlinville, IL 62626 217-854-4441 FAX 217-854-5311

98th, State Representative
Betsy Hannig Democrat
Address Phone Fax
239 E Stratton Bldg.
Springfield, IL 62706 217-782-8071
218 South Macoupin Street
Gillespie, IL 62033 217-839-2859 FAX 217-839-4833

44th, State Senator
Bill Brady Republican
Address Phone Fax
105-A Capitol Bldg
Springfield, IL 62706 217/782-6216
2203 Eastland Drive
Suite 3
Bloomington, IL 61704 309/664-4440 FAX 309/664-8597

87th, State Representative
Bill Mitchell Republican
Address Phone Fax
632 Capital Building
Springfield, IL 62706 217-782-8163
332 West Marion
Suite N-1
Forsyth, IL 62535 217-876-1968 FAX 217-876-1973