[BC] The State Of Radio Today......

[Bill Croghan]

	I've held my tongue on this one while I tried to learn the "rest of
the story" as Paul Harvey would say.
	I came to work for Lotus in Las Vegas 7+ years ago after competing
with them for over 15 years down in Tucson.  One of the reasons was because
of the great cooperation I received from a number of different Lotus
engineers.  I knew the company, I knew their policies and I knew the
Corporate Chief Engineer, Lindy Williams.
	When I read Paul's posting I was shocked.  I know Mike Weaver, Lotus
Reno's Chief Engineer.  He's not one to pass up anyone in trouble, much less
a stranded Engineer.
	Now I've learned more of the story.  The Van involved was not an
engineering van, but rather a remote Van, driven by a Remote setup person.
Why it was in that place at that time is unknown right now, but that is
being looked into by the Reno GM, and My GM who is the regional VP for
Lotus.  Appropriate action will be taken.

	With his permission, here is the response I received when I brought
this to the attention of Lindy Williams, Corporate Chief Engineer and Senior
Vice President of Lotus.  (Edited to remove a few minor personal comments.)
Bill

>From Lindy Williams, Corporate Chief Engineer and Sr. VP, Lotus Broadcasting
 
	This is disturbing. I think it is unjust to paint Lotus with this
kind of brush.  Not too long ago we provided a direct competitor in Reno
space in our building and a temporary antenna on our tower on slide mountain
when their antenna was destroyed in an ice storm, we helped them get back on
the air and they were in our building and on the air for nearly two months
using our electricity and remote control while they were getting their
facility 
back in operation.   We never asked for even a thank you...so to now hear 
of how we are unhelpful makes me very sad.
>>>>>>>>>>>snip<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
	I can state categorically that it has always been Lotus policy to
help any fellow broadcaster anytime they are in trouble, and my engineers
know this. 
Any one of them will tell you as much.  I have encouraged every one of them
to help when ever there was a need.  And I can say Mr. Kalmenson, the
president of Lotus has always supported the same position as I have with
respect to the rest of the broadcast community.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>snip
End of Lindy's statement
 
	Lindy speaks for all of us at Lotus, and in the engineering
department we follow these guidelines.  Today, I gave up an appointment to
move a new FM transmitter to a mountain top so that the tower guy, Denny
Todd, could go help resolve a problem that the Infinity (CBS) station in
town was having.  No question, no problem, he was needed more there than I
needed him, and I could help by releasing Denny from his obligation to me.
In 42 years in this business I have rarely ever seen a company as willing to
help others as Lotus.

Bill Croghan CPBE WB?KSW
Chief Engineer, 
KOMP/KXPT/KENO/KBAD
Lotus Broadcasting
Las Vegas, NV
Email to loteng (at) lvradio.com
Phone 702-315-3030
Fax      702-876-6685


Paul wrote,

......and the LACK of MANNERS at Lotus Broadcasting in Reno, Nevada.
>
>KXTO-AM 1550 General Manager Jose Pacheco and Consultant Ira Littman were
>heading  up                     Mountain to reach the KXTO Transmitter Site
>so
>they could replace a tube in the  main transmitter.
>
>While on their way up the mountain, Mr. Littman's van got stuck in the mud.
>While trying to get out of the mud, Mr. Littman and Mr. Pacheco saw a Lotus
>Broadcasting van covered with the logos of several Lotus Broadcastin radio
>stations.
>
>You would think they'd stop and help a broadcaster in need, right? Well,
>no,
>they didnt. They didn't stop and offer to give Ira or Jose a ride up/down
>the mountain or didn't even offer to call a tow truck. No sort of
>assistance was
> offered.
>
>I just think it shows a lack of manners and class when someone, especially
>a
>broadcaster, can't stop and lend a hand.
>
>By the way, they eventually got the van out of the mud.. over an hour
>later.
>
>Paul B. Walker, Jr.
>Decatur-Huntsville, Alabama
>Part Time Board Operator/Studio Technician/On Air  Personality
>
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