Comments from the petition: Page 2

My husband and I are appalled that this wonderful cultural and educational part
of our day has been axed from scheduling. Many eloquent and informative posts
have been written to the Sun. We join and echo their protests.

As a music lover and longtime Classic 89 supporter, I am deeply saddened and
angered by the elimination of classical music from the station. The "exciting
changes" at WUFT-FM are a public relations debacle. My "listener demands" are
no longer going to be met by the new format. What will happen to Richard Drake,
Agnes Klauder, Kathy DeWitt and other local contributors to the music scene? I
am no longer a proud member.

The University of Florida is an educational Institution. We have to educate our
students in whole, not only in a specific, narrow field. Thus, they need to be
exposed to classical music.
There is enough rock music and talk on other radio stations. I just don't want
to be exposed constantly to hear people talking. I want enjoyable
music.
I have invested in expensive stereo equipment and have a radio in almost every
room in the house and in my cars. I do not want to spend again thousands of
dollars to buy HD radios.
The $75.- HD radio which I got from classic 89 as a donor is of low sound
quality.
The HD 1 and HD2 broadcasts are the same if they work at all.
The HD signals cannot be received at the beach.

Please, keep the present music format of WUFT-FM, it's excellent as it is.

I think that classical music is a useful part of a good cultural education and
would like to see some part of this retained.

The current format that has been in place for a number of years is VERY, VERY
GOOD! A wonderful mix of topics on the "talk" programs, a great diversity of
styles on the "music" programs. The local commentators and presenters (i.e. Hank
Conner, Agnes Klauder, Henry Pensis, Richard Drake, etc. etc.)add immeasurably
to the sense of 'ownership' and involvement that is the essence of "listener
supported" radio. I praise and support all who have spoken out against the
segregation of talk and music programming and I am deeply suspicious of the
motivation driving this radical change. The insulting and patronizing "exciting
changes" ads and evasive justifications only strengthen my belief that there is
a "hidden agenda." Come clean... what is it?

Dear Dean Wright,
The music program on WUFT is outstanding and quite unique in that it offers a
rich variety of musical genres that I have only experienced with radio stations
in major metropolitan centers, such as WQXR in New York. Your radio station with
its first-rate musical offerings, presented by a highly competent staff, has
greatly contributed to elevating Gainesville to a major cultural center in
Florida and has enriched the life of those of us who can no longer get around
to attend concerts and other cultural events. Please do not rob us of this
cultural icon. Thank you.
(sig.) [name redacted] (The Villages)

Public Radio is not supposed to be about Arbitron ratings, or paying Commercial
Radio consultants $120,000...Classic 89 truly represents "listener supported
public radio", bringing Local Arts, the discovery of music and culture to the
entire North East region of Florida.
The last thing we need is more talking heads, and a supposed "HD Tuner" no one
is going to use, and is not going to reach farther than 25 miles. Surely,
classic music, folk, alternative jazz, etc. merits serious attention in a
sophisticated University community.
I would hope that in light of Bernie Machens' dismal record and reputation, this
would be re-thought.

Public radio serves a purpose, as it always has, to provide material not
provided by other radio stations, and material that is not necessarily
commercially profitable or based solely on Nielsen or other ratings. Like
public TV, which airs material such as Masterpiece Theater and Metropolitan
Opera and Nature and educational shows that would not be aired anywhere else,
nor are likely very commercially viable in a solely profit-based scenario, but
are so worthwhile culturally and educationally, public radio should continue to
do likewise in continuing to air classical music. This is a no-brainer, folks.
This is the very PURPOSE of public broadcasting in any media. To remove
classical music in lieu of all-talk radio is a disgrace, plain and simple. I
educated myself in classical music by way of public radio over the decades - not
having that resource available to people seems totally incomprehensible to me.
Entire generations of people will grow up not hearing this music (it most
certainly is not presented to them in our schools or in for-profit media) if it
is not made available on free public radio. Please think twice, and think twice
yet again, about this serious and drastic decision.

My sister worked on the station when it was all classical 20 years ago. i went
to the grand opening of the station when it was all classical 30 years ago.
This is the only place in Gainesville to hear quality classical music -- so
please stop succumbing to "mainstreaming" and "profiteering" by abandoning a
classsical format!