Posted by Josie on 5/12/2009, 12:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Followup to "Where Is Everybody" remark"
Hey, Guys, this is the first time I've visited this site in a long time. I fully admit that I used to visit religiously when I worked at Zimmer. I started only visiting on a rare occasion when Rick Taylor first came back to this area. The bigotry demonstrated on this board at that time was just plain sick and definitely not something with which I want to be associated... ever.
Moreover, it looks like that post about Zimmer's sponsors was posted on Saturday evening when I was drinking a few beers and playing some cards by candlelight with my husband because we had--and still have--no electricity or water. If you need proof, why don't you come over to the Carl Junction area and see why posting questions about weather sponsors was the farthest thing from my and my neighbors minds.
I'm going to go ahead and address a few things from these posts about me.
First of all, I'm glad you brought up my weight. I need to extend a big thank you to Lori for getting me hooked up with Slim Vision. I'm down 40 pounds! I'm following a strict, healthy diet, and I'm also exercising regularly for the first time in my life. Thank you, Lori. My life is changing for the good right before my eyes. I still have more to lose, but it will be cake... or no cake, I guess.
Second of all, I think every single person in the Joplin, Pittsburg, and Columbia markets knows not to take any criticism of talent on this board seriously. I have seen some of the most impressive talent in this market get insulted on this board. (I'm talking about jocks Tim Moore would rave about.) Why on earth would any reasonable person take criticism from bitter, invisible posters seriously?
Third of all, I have the utmost respect for people who work hard in markets this size so they can move on to bigger markets, i.e. Buff. However, some of us can't do that for multiple reasons. Maybe it's because we've tried and just don't have the talent/skills required to get hired. There's NO shame in that. (Radio in this market can be a LOT of fun.) Maybe it's because we were born and raised here and want to stay near family. Maybe it's because we moved here and decided we liked it too much to leave. Maybe we've found a company we really enjoy and don't want to risk moving to a cut-throat market because we have children we must think of first. I don't care what your reason is for working here, you should be proud. By the way, even for those ambitious talents wanting to move up, it's obviously going to be incredibly difficult in this economy. You shouldn't necessarily take rejection as a reflection of talent.
I was on the fence about severe weather sponsorships when they first came about at Zimmer. Now, I am completely in favor of them if it means Zimmer or any other group has the income to continue to provide wall-to-wall coverage during severe weather. I AM NOT EVEN REMOTELY ASHAMED TO SAY I TURNED TO KZRG FRIDAY MORNING TO FIND OUT IF A TORNADO WAS HEADING TOWARD ME. In part because of their severe weather sponsors, Zimmer's stations have the equipment and personnel to provide that continued coverage--coverage that VERY likely saved lives in my own neighborhood. Maybe all of our radio groups should consider taking their lead.
I want to make something VERY clear: I enjoyed working at Zimmer until they brought Cody back. I'm not qualified to judge someone's talent at this point in my career. But I can judge what kind of woman she was. And I can confidently say that she is probably the worst representation of my gender I have ever met. That was the ONLY thing I was bitter about when I left. Believe it or not, Zimmer was very good to me when I put in my letter of resignation. In fact, the other day, my boss asked my to call and talk to Larry Boyd. I did, and he treated me with the utmost respect. In fact, he was funny and charming as well. In addition, Zimmer gave me the opportunity to move up very quickly when I was there. You may say it was just so they could save money, but I don't care what their motivation was. I had fun.
I have misspoken several times regarding other people in radio in the last few years. A prime example of that is when I went to management regarding the way Jeff Allen was treating me when he was my supervisor on Lite Rock. I was in the wrong and may have hurt his career in the process. I'll find a way to make that right some day. I have no excuses. I am a late bloomer regarding emotional maturity. Because of that, I probably hurt other good people along the way. I'm trying to make up for it little by little.
I love the job I have now at 99.1. We're owned by SKIL, a non-profit organization that helps the disabled community in so many ways. I get to help with that directly, and it's more fulfilling than I would've ever imagined. And you know what? When I came over here, they didn't have a negative word to say about any other radio station, including Zimmer.
The bottom line is this: I have met a LOT of good friends in this market and learned a LOT from several people as well. I have nothing but gratitude for everyone... except You-Know-Who.
If you read this far, thank you. If you'd like to offer me constructive criticism on my work, I'll take all I can get as long as the spirit of the criticism is supportive. Send me an email.
josie@skilonline.com
Good luck to you all.
