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Goodbye, Dale
24 August 2010
Dale West is gone. Not shuffled off this mortal coil, but gone from the local airwaves. Yesterday morning he got his walking papers from the Peak FM.
Do they have too many news people at the Peak? I'm pretty sure Dale was he only one. Cost cutting, I suspect, was at the root.* I'll miss him. He was always honest and open with me and told me what he felt of council and my own performance. And he gave us local news on the radio.
For me, the Peak has been about John Nichols and Dale West. John's always been on the Peak since I moved here (20 years ago) and Dale's been at the Peak only a year less than I've been in Collingwood. I'm not a fan of the Peak's musical selection (I'm 40 or 50 years too old for most of it, and my tastes have matured a little) but I listen for Dale and John because I like the familiarity they give me. Plus I really like having local content, hearing local people talking about local events and local issues.**
What the Peak will do for local news, I don't know. No one will be at council, no one will be in the station to call local politicians or staff for information or clarification. One of the media people covering council last night suggested "rip 'n read' - reading stories from the local newspapers instead of actually covering any events or council meetings. This morning's news broadcast had just that - a story read from the online version of the EB.
I suspect the percentage of local news and coverage will dwindle and the Peak will present more generic material. I personally think - based on my local media experience - that's the way to lose listeners, but I'm not the decision maker in these things. But for me, 50% of the reasons I listen to the Peak have just disappeared.
The Internet Wayback Machine has pages from the Peak dating back to 2002, when Dale was identified as "News Director." By 2008, he was merely "News reporter" and Ian MacLennan was identified as "news director." Not sure what happened internally, but he is still listed on several 211 sites as the "News Director."
I got this bio of Dale from the 2003 archives:
It's a bit outdated, but it's all I could find. the Peak's Web site was cleansed of all references to Dale this morning when I went online to look for more.
Goodbye Dale. I hope you'll take some time and maybe do some local blogging again, maybe even run for council (You may find as I did that after years of telling council how to behave, actually being one sheds an entirely different light on things). I'll miss you and I think the community is a little poorer without your on-air presence.
~~~~~
* I saw this happen at the E-B when I was there. When I joined, in 1991, there were already eight people in the EB's newsroom, plus some stringers, and the paper was printed in house. It often had two sections of 20 pages each and there was talk of going to a three-times-a-week schedule. When I left, after Conrad Black had taken over the chain, there were just three of us. Now there are two and it's hard pressed to put together 12 pages in an issue. Cut the staff to cut costs and you also cut local content.
** My favourite show was the Flashback Diner featuring John and Dave Knox, a local teacher who was passionate and knowledgeable about his 'oldies' music, as was John. It was fun, too, and had great music with a lot of B-side songs and stuff not on the Top 40 charts. We always tuned in to listen, but when the station dumped Dave, the replacement show just didn't have the zest, so we stopped listening.
Do they have too many news people at the Peak? I'm pretty sure Dale was he only one. Cost cutting, I suspect, was at the root.* I'll miss him. He was always honest and open with me and told me what he felt of council and my own performance. And he gave us local news on the radio.
For me, the Peak has been about John Nichols and Dale West. John's always been on the Peak since I moved here (20 years ago) and Dale's been at the Peak only a year less than I've been in Collingwood. I'm not a fan of the Peak's musical selection (I'm 40 or 50 years too old for most of it, and my tastes have matured a little) but I listen for Dale and John because I like the familiarity they give me. Plus I really like having local content, hearing local people talking about local events and local issues.**
What the Peak will do for local news, I don't know. No one will be at council, no one will be in the station to call local politicians or staff for information or clarification. One of the media people covering council last night suggested "rip 'n read' - reading stories from the local newspapers instead of actually covering any events or council meetings. This morning's news broadcast had just that - a story read from the online version of the EB.
I suspect the percentage of local news and coverage will dwindle and the Peak will present more generic material. I personally think - based on my local media experience - that's the way to lose listeners, but I'm not the decision maker in these things. But for me, 50% of the reasons I listen to the Peak have just disappeared.
The Internet Wayback Machine has pages from the Peak dating back to 2002, when Dale was identified as "News Director." By 2008, he was merely "News reporter" and Ian MacLennan was identified as "news director." Not sure what happened internally, but he is still listed on several 211 sites as the "News Director."
I got this bio of Dale from the 2003 archives:
Quote
Radio "veteran" from the city of Barrie… started his career as a high school intern at CKBB 950 in Barrie in 1979. Moved to Collingwood at CKCB 1400 in 1983 where he handled the afternoon drive show, and promotions, and soon became the radio voice for Collingwood Shipbuilders hockey after John Nichols. Dale left CKCB in 1987, for a few years in Orillia, returning to CKCB/The Peak as News-Sports director in 1991, and voice of the Collingwood Blues in 1997.
Hockey is a big part of Dale's spare time, he coaches minor hockey, and has spent time on the board of directors for minor hockey and the Collingwood Blues. Dale is also the Assistant General Manager of the Collingwood Blues.
Some say if you are looking for Dale in the winter… check the arena first, home second.
In the summer Dale acts as umpire in chief for the Collingwood and District Slo Pitch League.
When he does go home, Dale has a wife of 18 years… Linda, and two boys, Andy 16, and Dale Junior 10, but usually they are found at the arena.
When asked the secret of a happy marriage… Dale says it's simple… Linda said the more time I spend at the arena the happier she will be….:) As for the interesting stuff… it's still a matter of national security, I'm not at liberty to say… it will hurt my secret mission against the worlds spider population.
Quick Questions
Do you push food on your fork with a knife or your thumb? - Why push food… it gets it further away!
Dream Job - NHL play by play
Life before radio - it's been my job since leaving college. Before that, everything from working at a gas station (we called it the Reg's Esso school of broadcasting in Barrie, 3 of us ended up in radio). Also delivered pizza, and picked worms for bait, and delivered medical samples for tests (not at the same time as the pizza job in case you are worried). It is a complete coincidence, but true, that not one of the places in Barrie where I worked during my high school days is still open.
Can you remember Tony Orlando? - Who doesn't remember Tony Orlando… especially at strawberry time
Fill in the blank: I'm so in need of losing a few pounds I could maybe find some time to phone one of those infomercial numbers.
If the traffic light is yellow I… prepare to stop… and actually do sometimes
Number of coffees consumed each day? - The official tabulation of that information is considered secret… it could affect the price of coffee futures around the world
Have you ever solved the Rubik cube? - it was easy once I got a version that has the colours put on by stickers
Favourite board game - Trivial Pursuit, Baby Boomer edition… but only if I can land on music and news colours
Favourite sounds - the rollers at the beer store signaling my order is approaching
Favourite foods - if it's recommended that it's not good for your health… it's probably on my list of favourite foods
What was your first car? - 1974 Dodge Dart, should be trading it in soon!
What is your Zodiac Sign - Scorpio. Loyal to friends, unforgiving to enemies, and never wrong.
Ever been in love? - Let me check with my wife on that one
Favourite movies - Slap Shot, Young Blood, Faceoff (the Canadian movie about hockey starring what's his face from ENG), South of Wawa
Favourite sports to watch - Love to watch hockey… prefer to broadcast it even more
Favourite TV show - Drew Carey, 22 Minutes and Air Farce, and of course Hockey Night in Canada
Something you may not know about me is…. I once seriously considered becoming an accountant… and I liked wrestling before wrestling was cool. Bret Hart was a favourite and I still don't forgive Vince McMahon, and although I have a dislike for spiders, my favourite comic book character and cartoon show is Spiderman.
Hockey is a big part of Dale's spare time, he coaches minor hockey, and has spent time on the board of directors for minor hockey and the Collingwood Blues. Dale is also the Assistant General Manager of the Collingwood Blues.
Some say if you are looking for Dale in the winter… check the arena first, home second.
In the summer Dale acts as umpire in chief for the Collingwood and District Slo Pitch League.
When he does go home, Dale has a wife of 18 years… Linda, and two boys, Andy 16, and Dale Junior 10, but usually they are found at the arena.
When asked the secret of a happy marriage… Dale says it's simple… Linda said the more time I spend at the arena the happier she will be….:) As for the interesting stuff… it's still a matter of national security, I'm not at liberty to say… it will hurt my secret mission against the worlds spider population.
Quick Questions
Do you push food on your fork with a knife or your thumb? - Why push food… it gets it further away!
Dream Job - NHL play by play
Life before radio - it's been my job since leaving college. Before that, everything from working at a gas station (we called it the Reg's Esso school of broadcasting in Barrie, 3 of us ended up in radio). Also delivered pizza, and picked worms for bait, and delivered medical samples for tests (not at the same time as the pizza job in case you are worried). It is a complete coincidence, but true, that not one of the places in Barrie where I worked during my high school days is still open.
Can you remember Tony Orlando? - Who doesn't remember Tony Orlando… especially at strawberry time
Fill in the blank: I'm so in need of losing a few pounds I could maybe find some time to phone one of those infomercial numbers.
If the traffic light is yellow I… prepare to stop… and actually do sometimes
Number of coffees consumed each day? - The official tabulation of that information is considered secret… it could affect the price of coffee futures around the world
Have you ever solved the Rubik cube? - it was easy once I got a version that has the colours put on by stickers
Favourite board game - Trivial Pursuit, Baby Boomer edition… but only if I can land on music and news colours
Favourite sounds - the rollers at the beer store signaling my order is approaching
Favourite foods - if it's recommended that it's not good for your health… it's probably on my list of favourite foods
What was your first car? - 1974 Dodge Dart, should be trading it in soon!
What is your Zodiac Sign - Scorpio. Loyal to friends, unforgiving to enemies, and never wrong.
Ever been in love? - Let me check with my wife on that one
Favourite movies - Slap Shot, Young Blood, Faceoff (the Canadian movie about hockey starring what's his face from ENG), South of Wawa
Favourite sports to watch - Love to watch hockey… prefer to broadcast it even more
Favourite TV show - Drew Carey, 22 Minutes and Air Farce, and of course Hockey Night in Canada
Something you may not know about me is…. I once seriously considered becoming an accountant… and I liked wrestling before wrestling was cool. Bret Hart was a favourite and I still don't forgive Vince McMahon, and although I have a dislike for spiders, my favourite comic book character and cartoon show is Spiderman.
It's a bit outdated, but it's all I could find. the Peak's Web site was cleansed of all references to Dale this morning when I went online to look for more.
Goodbye Dale. I hope you'll take some time and maybe do some local blogging again, maybe even run for council (You may find as I did that after years of telling council how to behave, actually being one sheds an entirely different light on things). I'll miss you and I think the community is a little poorer without your on-air presence.
~~~~~
* I saw this happen at the E-B when I was there. When I joined, in 1991, there were already eight people in the EB's newsroom, plus some stringers, and the paper was printed in house. It often had two sections of 20 pages each and there was talk of going to a three-times-a-week schedule. When I left, after Conrad Black had taken over the chain, there were just three of us. Now there are two and it's hard pressed to put together 12 pages in an issue. Cut the staff to cut costs and you also cut local content.
** My favourite show was the Flashback Diner featuring John and Dave Knox, a local teacher who was passionate and knowledgeable about his 'oldies' music, as was John. It was fun, too, and had great music with a lot of B-side songs and stuff not on the Top 40 charts. We always tuned in to listen, but when the station dumped Dave, the replacement show just didn't have the zest, so we stopped listening.
And when Conrad took over, there were four: a managing editor, two reporters and a sports reporter/editor, and it remained that way until 2005...