Comments from the petition: Page 1

This change has turned my life on end. This is a terrible thing that losing the
all-music, arts-oriented format will do to the community. I started this
website as part of my response to your action. I do not want to lose the great
resource that WUFT-FM is.

A great university or one rhat aspires to greatness needs to preserve and
honor the past, and that duty includes presnting the classical from the musical
literaturs just as much as from the written literature.

I feel very strongly that the current programming on Classic 89 provides a very
important and valuable cultural and educational resource for our community. It
is extremely important to have this public service continue to be accessible on
the analog airways to anyone who has an ordinary radio, be it at home or in the
car. 24-hour Beethoven Station broadcasting can not replace the wonderful mix of
music genres, educational music programs (such as "Exploring Music", "Afro-pop
Worldwide" and "Piano Jazz"), talk programs, and news that we currently have in
place. All-talk programming is more suitable for HD radio streams at present
than music programming is, because few people have HD radios in their cars or in
their home stereo systems. Music needs to be heard through better speaker
systems than a table-top HD radio can provide, whereas talk shows and news don't
require superior speakers to be heard satisfactorily, so perhaps the all-talk
programming could go on the HD-2 stream, leaving Classic 89 on analog. Please:
Save Classic 89!

I have enjoyed listening to WUFT music for over 15 years and am very distressed
by the pending changes. The more I learn about the reasons for the changes, the
less any change in programming makes sense. Why mess with a winning format?

We are constantly bombarded with 24-hour news and commentary. Classic 89 is an
island in the storm. Please reconsider the format change and leave classical
music on the program.

Please keep our music-based WUFT/FM format. As a piano teacher, composer, and
lover of music, I rely on the station to bring me great music and inspiration.

Please continue Classic 89 with its mix of diverse music, news and national
programs.
Why not add the few programs that are repeatedly cited and eliminate some
music.
The elimination of analog Classic 89 would be a step backwards 30 years for our
area.

WUFT offers so much in the way of music. I've enjoyed recordings of live
performances from local artists, listening to Marian McPartland, and always tune
in to Live at the Met on Saturdays. The Garrison Keillor show has provided me
many hours of entertainment, as well as the Motown show and Nothing but the
Blues on Saturday evenings. I've received a great education in listening to
Afro-pop, and the Celtic Hour, as well as having called in to the station and
been a winner of the Friday afternoon Trivia and Request program. I love all
kinds of music, and WUFT is the only station in Gainesville where such a variety
is possible. I have a number of out-of-town friends who tell me that they tune
in to Classic 89 as soon as they are within range as they are driving to
Gainesville because of the music that is offered!

I personally love the WUFT format. I have it on at work from 8:30 to 5...
listen to it in the car on the way to and from work. I don't listen to any
other station. Frankly, I'm tired of listening to people talk at me.
Practically the only TV station that has merit is WUFT-TV! WUFT-FM was its
partner. Every other radio station in Gainesville has a talk show format. It's
reality TV on the radio and I'm way over reality shows! Mindless and mediocre.
It is an absolute joy to have the diversity of classic 89 in my office and at
home. I find it hard to believe that a University, which is supposed to
educate, enlighten and strive for the very best in all areas - including fine
art and culture - is disgarding one of its finest voices.

As a piano teacher, I have relied upon and fully supported Classic 89 since its
inception. Many of my students have used the Friday request program in order to
listen to various artists perform the compositions they are studying. As well, I
listen continuely while not teaching. How can a University city be without a
classical music station? If one wants constant news, one has many other choices.
Many times I have cringed when the students give the news. Certainly, Classis 89
(or whatever it will be called) will NOT be my choice for the news. PLEASE
reconsider your decision!