Howard Monroe And The Morning Show

Did I toss too many "soft balls" at Hillary Clinton today? At least one of my callers thinks so. You can decide for yourself: listen to the podcast of our interview in our podast section on the right side of this page.

Andy McKenzie clearly wants to bring about change. He thinks a lot of folks--including me--are trying to downplay the power a new mayor can bring if he hasd the will to lead a charge for change. You can listen to that interview segment in our podcasts as well. (Thanks to Senator NcKenzie for being so flexible in working around the Clinton interview.)

Natalie Tennnat called in to make a last minute pitch for votes in her run for Secretary of State.

West Lib President Rob Capehart came in and we kicked around the WV Supreme Court race. I am really ticked off at all the negative ads in that race by just about ALL of the candidates.

Our UN reporter Dan Patterson gave us the low down on disaster aid to Myanmar.

Good day! Great to be back!

Now that we've all had a chance to review "The Plan" for the City of Wheling, let's talk about it Monday.

The Intell has the complete plan on their web site.

I have concerns. As exciting and thought-provoking as the plan and its pretty pictures are, what reason do we have to believe that there is a demand for these "Music City" venues? Are there tourist groups clamouring to come somewhere for this kind of a venue? Do we believe the local citizens are going to come to more music events (we have plenty at the Port and elsewhere in town)? Other than just deciding this is a nice idea, why do expect this to generate any increased economic activity.

What are we trying to acheive with this plan? I have said for years there are 3 basic reasons to do government-sponsored development: to increase the tax base, to provide jobs, to improve the quality of life of the people currently living here. Where are the new jobs coming from? Does this increase the tax base somehow?

The City's proposal to tear down the 1100 block and create green space makes the Downtown area a better place for those of us who are already here to live and work, but does this wide ranging new plan really make our current citizens any better off?

And why in the world did we pay some outside consultant $70,000 dollars to prepare this?

I am wildly unconvinced.

Let's talk on The Morning Show. Or you can post your thought by clicking "comment" right below.

LETTER TO HOME

Hello from Bermuda!

I had planned to do a lot of updates for you including pictures direct from my cell phone to the web but couldn't do it. My cell phone worked on the open seas--but the Windows Mobile connection on my Palm treo wouldn't--connect. In Bermuda even my cell couldn't connect--although just about every one else from our group had no problems at all.

Perhaps it was some kind of karmic signal that I wan't supposed to be doing any work or communication with the folks back home!

I'll detail it for you on line and on the air when I get back.

Josua P and Pedro seem to have kept the station alive. Some minor problems Sunday night and Thursday morn, but I guess the guys worked through them.

Hillary still fighting. I see it was close but the Indianna win was enough to keep going.

Lots of new announcements from the Highlands--but still nothing to hang our hat on for Wild Escapes.

No newspaper on the ship, of course, but a daily "Newsletter" compiles the important news of the day. Interesting to note that in addition to the Barrack-Hillary battles and other major national stories, the WVU Faculty Senate vote of no confidence in Mike Garrison made the ship board news.

Back to talk on Monday!!

Busy day today!

Singer/songwriter Carole King was my guest. Tremendous super star for decades. Lots of fun talking to her. I'll post a podcast soon.

Wheeling Symphony conductor Andre Raphel Smith stopped by to discuss the wrap-up concert of the season, how the musicians have adapted to their new homes (Wesbanc Arena and the John Marshall Center for Performing Arts), and when they might get back to the Capital Music Hall.

Don Schoendorf and Chris Figaretti from Free Wheel Chair Mission popped into Broadcast House to discuss  their work. I was at a big event for their cause this weekend. They do good work. Contribute!

Hoppy Kercheval was with me to give us the latest on the fall out of the Heather Bresch scandal. This story isn't done by a long shot. The Provost and Dean have resigned. Calls continue for WVU President Mike Garrison to quit as well. Best way to keep on top of the story is at the MetroNews web site.

A lot of canoodling has been done to the background music of Sophie B Hawkins. Especially her song Wish I Was Your Lover. She was a guest on The Morning Show today talking about her new found support for Hillary Clinton. She's revised her classic tune to now read Wish You Were President. Podcast of our interview to of the column on the right. Video right here.

A group of Marshall County organizations wants to know what you think about some aspects of the county life. Marshall County Family Resource Network is coordinating and has an on-line survey you can take part in by clicking here.  Thanks to the lovely and talented Kara Gray for calling in with some info about this on today's show.

There is a strong call for change at Wheeling City Hall.

I've been predicting it for months and the feeling seems to be growing. With every council seat contested, a guarenteed new Mayor because of term limits, and a sense of unrest among many voters, I think you're going see a different council come summer.

But I am still at a loss exactly WHAT this change is supposed to mean. I keep asking--on the radio and on the street--and I honestly don't hear an answer. I hear a lot of vague generalities: we need a more business-like attitude, we need to create jobs, and the ever-popular "it's time for a change". But PLEASE someone tell me what we're changing to. Give me a list of the actions a "changed" council will take. Tell me what the "changed" city will look like--and what we're going to do to get there.

Here are the 2 things I have been able to discern: many folks think downtown is dirty and dilapidated; and there is a growing problem with out-of-the-area drug activity (including shootings) coming into town.

The current administration has been working on the downtown problem--and in fact has prepared a multi-million dollar plan to clean up the dilapidation.

Chief Gessler is aware and involved in dealing with the drug problem.

There is a comment button right below this post. If you can tell me exactly what change you want, specifically what you think a new council will do,, I'd love to hear from you.

Let's play a game. I'll give you three trillion dollars and you can spend it any way you want. What would you do? Three trillion is the amount the Iraq war is predicted to cost and 3trillion.org is a web site that lets you spend ("virtually", of course).

Paul Trader is running for a spot on the Marshall County School Board. He was a guest on The Morning Show this week. A lot of e-mail came in after the interview questioning his criticism of the board and administration. Here's his website with his positions. I sense more underlying heat in this race than I had thought.

ENJOY UNCLE DOUG

Monday. Taking a day off. Just a little "it feels like Spring" day for myself.

Doug Stephan handling the hosting this morning. I'll back Tuesday with State Senator --and candidate for Wheeling Mayor--Andy McKenzie in studio plus our usual shenanigans.