Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Mayor Waterman's Radio Show on WPBR

Today was the first show.  Click here for link to their web page.  You will need a Microsoft Silverlight Player and that is available on the site if you want to listen via the Internet. It's supposed to be on Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. and it is called, for now, "Lunch with the Mayor."  I listened to part of it.  About half way through the show, something happened to the audio at the station and no one seemed to realize it.  You could still hear what was being said, but it was like a muffled whisper.  I gave up trying to listen.

I believe Susan Squires called in and pointed out there might be a problem with equal time, given that we are in the height of election season.  She asked if any of the other candidates had been approached.  There was some hemming and hawing.  The producer of the show said that a lady named Pam had called them a few days ago, but nothing had been set up.  He said that this is a show for the Mayor of Lake Worth so that whoever is Mayor can be a part of it.  The one caller I heard before Susan commented on the election, said Rachel was doing a great job and that he would be voting for her.  Folks, this is electioneering.

I called and used my first name to identify myself.  I was put on hold and the Mayor took the call on air.  I asked about the audio in the Commission Chambers and she responded that she knew people were having trouble with it last night.  I told her that it is important since many people rely on it if they can't get to city hall due to family obligations or other issues, but are still able to listen on their computer.

I pointed out that the meeting tonight which deals with the casino building tenant leases is confusing.  The back-up material says that the casino work will be done and the tenants can move in November 2013 - when the business plan from August 2010 has the grand opening as Fall of 2012.  I pointed out that the 2012 date is being used in Commissioner Golden's literature who also happens to be running for re-election this year.
I asked if there was a delay in construction schedule that hasn't been revealed yet.  She said that she had the same questions and would be asking that tonight.  We said good-bye and not long after that they had audio problems.  Hmmmm.

Ads during the show were about a non-profit disabled veterans agency.  There is a dollar or in-kind cost to this sort of show.  How is that being accounted for?