2 hot button questions STILL being asked

Over the last few months, I've been BOMBARDED with two popular questions:

• Where is Tim White?


• Do I have school tomorrow?

I've already addressed each topic in past 'Swing by and spray' entries.

If you will indulge me, I'd like to revisit these questions.

Though the Tim White question is 'the most popular' of the two, I'm going to talk about school closings and our iAlert School Closing System first, in light of living in the tundra!

Kids out there --we don't know if your schools are closed until YOUR administrators close them!!!! We don't close schools. You can log onto wkyc.com and click iAlerts to get an up-to-the-minute list of all the school closings. If there are many, we will run them throughout the day. Otherwise, school closings scroll throughout all of our live news shows, especially during the weather forecast!

We recently upgraded our school closing system. It's bigger, it's better, and much easier to use. With any new system, there are bugs to work out. So, please bear with us!

I'd like to make the plea to all administrators of schools, churches, businesses, day cares, or any organization out there that would like to be part of our iAlert System--please sign up! Before the snow flies!!!!!

You can call between 7am and 3pm and speak with Amy Sisak to get the ball rolling. Or the easier method may be to fax (216.344.3314) or email (asisak@wkyc.com) a request to become a member on school or company letterhead. Include your name and # and email...your organization....and any other pertinent information you deem important! Ms. Sisak will get back to you as soon as she can to set you up into our system giving you an ID and Password. She will also send out a packet of information to walk you through the system.

Once you are set up, you can actually go to the iAlert website to close your school YOURSELF. It takes seconds. Once you enter your ID and Password and Login, you need to choose a status such as 'closed' or 'evening classes cancelled.' You get the idea. If there is not one tailored to your needs, choose the one CLOSEST to your needs.

You also should be cognizant of choosing an expiration time. If you don't choose one, your school will remain closed past your deadline. That would be bad!!!!

The computer re-opens three times a day: 10am, 4pm, and 10pm. Please be sure to choose the correct expiration prompt.

I can not tell you how many school closings I've had to fix after an administrator entered their closing. I've had to correct dates --let's say it is Tuesday but the administrator closes school for Monday? Doesn't make sense. If there is not an expiration time, we have to manually go in and amend. OR, I've noticed that administrators have been putting an expiration time ONE WEEK from the day they close--which would give their kids a whole week off! I don't think that's their plan!?!?!

I know it's a new system that everyone needs to get used to but please read over your brochures carefully and complete every single step in order to make the system work like a charm!!

Now, the bigger looming question: Where's Tim White?

I get at least a dozen calls every single day, if not more, asking where is Tim White?

• Is he on vacation?


• I've been away for the holidays and just got back, where is he?


• We miss him immensely.


• It's a shame he is no longer on your station.


• He and Romona were the best anchor team in town.


• He was the best anchorman I've ever seen.


• I'm gonna have to switch tv stations.


• Where did he go?


• He was a true professional, it's too bad you let him go.


• I loved watching him report the news.


• He was one of the most intelligent anchors in town.


• We'll have to live with what's left.

And the list goes on and on and on.......every day.....

Heck, I'm sure they will linger on for years--I still get callers asking where Leon Bibb and Connie Dieken are!!!

Tim left the station mid-December. I can not speak for the station or for what transpired in his departure.

Click on the following link which will take you to the story posted on wkyc.com.

Tim White to leave WKYC after contract

To read Tim White's poignant good bye to all, click on 'End of an Era'

I hate to admit it, but I have not spoken to Tim in the new year. I hope to speak to him soon, and when I do, if he's amenable, I'll pass on his update and any kind words he has for his faithful fans and viewers!

End of an Era

I've been in the television business a long time. Oh sure, I have many mentors who exceed not only my experience but my outright days (including the subject of this entry)! I've lived through takeovers, mass firings, retirements, downsizing, unexpected deaths, and even on-set birth labor pains! You name it, I've seen it! And God-willing, will continue to endure.

But, I must admit, the timbre of the last number of days has a foreign feel.

A dear friend and comrade anchored his last show for wkyc Friday night. We were not forbidden to speak of the situation. In fact, the art director created a beautiful card for everyone to sign...throughout the week, friends and co-workers said their good-byes while reminiscing of fond memories. Tim received hundreds, if not thousands of appreciative email, saving every single one. We even ordered the General's favorite banana pepper pizza (a whole one just for him) in between farewell fetes as a 'comforting' send off.

Tim White crafted a poignant farewell to his viewers, his fans, his friends which aired during the 7pm show and re-played during the 11pm news. The station allowed and encouraged this final act.

If you did not see it, I will include the transcript at the end of this entry.

I was and still am a bit dazed at how someone in the spotlight night after night can exit quietly stage left.

No fanfare, unobtrusive good-byes, and absolutely no animosity (at least not in public).

I've never witnessed this before.

But, it certainly does fit in with the character of the protagonist in this story line.

Benevolent man brimming with respect closing the show in the same distinguished way he began it: professionalism intertwined with dignity, style, and grace.

Transcript from Tim White's Goodbye:

"It's not easy to know how to say goodbye to people and a place you have loved for going on ten years. So I have decided to answer some of the questions I've had from viewers. To save TV time, I won't repeat the question. But here are the answers:

• Yes, Romona and I really do get along that well...off camera too.



• No, I do not wear a hair piece...it's all mine.



• I don't think it's all Romeo's fault. And I believe the Browns will win the Superbowl ...in three years.



• Yes, I do believe Cleveland has already turned the corner; we're just too close to see how far we've come. Ask somebody who has just moved here.



• It's true that I don't often call it Northeast Ohio --everything north of Columbus and east of Toledo is Cleveland.



• They should have hung on to Jim Thome.



• Yes, I do worry that the news business is becoming more business than news.



• Yes, these are really hard times. In some ways, the years ahead will be like the 1950's --and that's not all bad.



• No, I don't think it's bad luck. All Cleveland needs to soar is confidence and leadership.



• Yes, LeBron is a force of nature. But the most remarkable thing about his talent and fame is how well he's handled it.



• I disagree...the Plain Dealer may be smaller, but it's a good paper and I wouldn't start the day without it.



• Yes, Romona is the best dressed woman I know. And, she is nice too.



• No, I have never worked with a better sports guy than Jimmy Donovan. I don't think there is one.



• I agree...Betsy has made the transition to being a great mom as gracefully as she made the transition to being the main weather person.



• I appreciate that, but if you like our newscast the real people to thank are the reporters and producers and camera folks and editors who work hard every day to make a newscast we are all proud of. Romona and I are just the tip of the iceberg.



• Yes, folks around here DO care a lot about veterans. The rest of the country should learn from us.



• What's it been like? Being here with you every night has been more than a job. It's been a blessing.



• Sure, it's been hard for me to have my family scattered all over the country and the world. But you have made me feel like part of yours, and I will always be grateful for that.



• It is not easy to move on. But it is time.



• I'll let you know what comes next. There is a lot of work to do.

From the bottom of my heart-thank you. And for now, Goodbye."

That year it was Tim White

Many of you probably already have heard the news....

On hiatus or not...I had to pop on the nearest computer and share the following:

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=98751


Once I speak with my friend, I'll share more.


I do want to impart a quick story which sums it all up. My Uncle Johnny, who has since passed, was in the Air Force. He knew my Mother's love of the air, the military, and the like. Many years ago, he gave her a poster of the US Air Force Thunderbirds. At a local air show, Mom took the poster in hopes of getting it signed by whomever was on site down at Burke Lakefront Airport. The PR person took the poster and promised it would be signed by whomever was on location.

I promised a short story.

Mom never got the poster back, signed or unsigned.

When I was sharing the story with Tim White, he seemed genuinely concerned. Next thing I know, shortly before Christmas, Tim White had gotten a USAF Thunderbirds Poster, had it framed and personally signed by the current Thunderbirds at the time addressed to my Mother.

Someone always makes Mom cry on Christmas. That year it was Tim White.