Comments from the petition: Page 16

We supported public radio, when it first came to Gainesville. We urge the new
format to include music on the analog station. We really dislike talk radio; one
cannot play it on background. Our support of the Gainesville station is gone.

I am sorely disappointed in the new format. I miss classical music in the
morning with my coffee. I miss Marion McPartland and other jazz programs on
Friday night. Local Across the Prairie and Celtic music. I miss night bridge on
Sunday night. Isn't this programming more expensive? Nothing but talk.
Sometimes it is repeated throughout the day. The station is called Classic 89.
A nice mix would be much preferred. I will be spending time looking through the
dial for other stations that will hopefully replace this void.

Public radio and all other forms of communication are loaded with talk shows
that have little meaning and are difficult to listen to when one is. busy with
other items. Clasical music guides me through the day. I can ride my stationary
bicylce, do my laundery, clean my house and remain relaxed and focused until it
is time to sit down and hear the evening news. Grace Wagner

I am dumbfounded! I enjoy some news, talk, as well as good music. Your former
diverse programming format was wonderful. I now feel as if I have no local
public radio station. I have contributed to WUFT since I first arrived in
Gainesville four years ago,but will contribute no more. Instead, I will listen
to other public stations on the internet, such as WUSF in Tampa, and will
pledge to contribute to them, or others, who may choose to install a "repeater"
station in Gainesville such as you have in Inverness. Shame on you! You have
destroyed one of the beautiful things about life in Gainesville.

The public should have a say in what constitutes public radio.

If listener contributions support the programming, I believe that future pledge
drives will reflect that.
Eliminating the music format denies opportunities for listeners (students in
particular) to expand their music education and learn about a variety of music
they might not otherwise have an opportunity to hear.
If you are determined to have talk-only radio, please allow Bill McLaughlin to
continue talking about good music.
By making this change, and not considering any compromises, you have given a
message to your supporters that you may regret.

After reading the article in the NETA Journal, I have feel that the problem
resides in the dean's office and his unilateral decisions to change the format
of Classic 89 FM. By mixing commercial and public radio formats the entire
complexion of the University of Florida radio station and its public radio
mission is being (has already) being changed.
If he feels that economically the station needs to "go commercial" then he
should consider that pledges will fall dramatically and I personally feel that
all current pledges should be refunded as they were made under false assumptions
that classical music would be continuted as before and this has been changed
since the spring pledge drive resulting in only about six months of the expected
programming.
As for the idea that listeners stop listening at 9:00 A.M. when classical music
begins (after NPR news etc.) then he should consider that the vast majority of
these listeners turn off the radio at this time as they work in environments
where their attention is required elsewhere and "any" radio in not
appropriate.
The drop in listeners is the natural baseline and NOT an aberation due to
programing.
Cutting positions at the station while hiring two of his "buddies" to reorganize
is abhorent at best.
Regarding the alternate "stream" with the required new radio unit ($75.00) and
monthly subscriptions service: 1.) The radios do not work in the same
geographic areas as were previously reached. 2.) The cost of the radio itself
goes against the mission of a "public" radio station. 3.) No consideration for
automobile users is made.
If the desire is to set up a radio station only for UF journalism students to
gain experience,then it should be considered that if a radio station does not
respond to the listeners it is due to fail. If the desire is to evolve into a
commercial station, then the "Public Radio" aspect should be completely removed
along with tax ramifications as it is not acceptable for a commecial station to
be accorded the same considerations as a public radio station.
This change has also removed the cultural benefits of promoting local
organizations through broadcasting concerts and special events in our area.
(Another slap in the face to its listeners.)
The University of Florida is an educational institution but evidently in the
College of Journalism it is felt that only students who pay tuition should be
educated. As these same students do not pay nearly the actual cost of their
course work and the remainder is funded through state funds i.e. taxpayer money,
then the dean needs to be called to respond to this distortion of the mission
statement of Classic 89.
Ultimately this whole mess falls on Prsident Machen as he hired an "accountant"
as Dean of the Journalism School. He got lucky with coach Meyer. He should see
what his policies have done in the mainstream of the university, its workers,
students and faculty. He should be more aware of the problems with the medical
school not to mention Shands itself.
Overall, I will not be listening to Classic 89 anymore and will listen only to
cd's and i-pod programming of my own choosing until a future date where the
"public" in public radio is a valued commodity.

The music and news format that you have taken away leaves me, and the many
customers in my store where I always had Classic 89 on, devastated. There was
much to learn about classical music and when the news came on, it was a nice
break. As I recall, after 4:30 there wasn't too much music. This was ok. It
worked. I have CD's to play but they're limited. I can't but
everything.
I truly resent the last fund raiser where we were hookwinked into thinking,
"format as usual." I just came back from a 3 week trip and, when I got in my car
where the radio was always tuned in to classic 89, I ran into something called
Science Friday. Whew. The interviewer made comments to the person in the
space program whom he was interviewing that sounded just like somebody on the
Bob Rose show! Redneck and out of touch. I could go on and on, but I and my
bunch of customers are too sad.

The eclectic mix of classical - blues - jazz - opera - celtic - world was
wonderful. The mixture of music & news was a nice blend.
The talk 24/7 is an awful idea...for your supportors/listeners who can not
afford to buy or put an HD radio in their car - we've lost all that music. If
you feel people want the 24/7 talk - put that on the HD signal 2 and let them
listen to nothing but talk. Put your original programming back onto the main
signal!!

Classic 89 has been a great music resource for our family. My 2 year old
daughter loves it. She doesn't like modern rock, nor do I think modern music is
good for her development. I just feel this is a disservice to the community.
Bring back our classical music! I can hear enough talk polluting our airwaves.
There is no alternative classical music station.
As a graduate of the UF College of Journalism, I am very disappointed in the
current administration.