Disappointed in emergency response

I need to express a sense of disappointment with WMUB’s handling of the recent weather crisis/power outage. I’m moved to express this because I realized, about 3 o’clock this past Sunday, how utterly dependent I am on WMUB for information in emergency situations.

With no other link to the outside world, I cranked up my radio and listened anxiously to what WMUB had to tell me. To my surprise, it was more or less business as usual.

… Monday morning at 7 a.m., as I tried to decide whether I should get in my car to commute to work, I cranked up the radio tuned to WMUB and heard, just after the national news, that Butler County was on a Level Three emergency standing. I racked my brain to remember what a Level Three emergency was. WMUB did not enlighten me—the announcer had gone on to the usual featured business news for Dayton. What I wanted to know was how many people in the Dayton area were suffering a power outage? What was going on with DP&L and Duke Energy? What were the students at Miami and other closed colleges going to do for food and communications? Were there any emergency shelters opened in Oxford where I could take a hot shower or get hot food? What about the Kroger pharmacy? Were city officials making any statements?

Maybe I am wrong to consider WMUB as the source for such information—but the fact is that WMUB is just about the only radio station I listen to. I identify it strongly as THE source for what’s important for me to know. You may not be equipped with the staff to do in-depth on-the-spot reporting. But the station does remarkably well operating “live” for fund-raising reasons.

--Diana Uhlman, "Oxford resident and ardent WMUB supporter"

[General Manager Cleve Callison replies:

This is an issue that WMUB will be addressing. Cutbacks in salary support have caused us, like most stations, to operate via automation on Sunday afternoon. In addition we were short-staffed that day because of medical issues and an unrelated power failure at NPR in Washington. We did have staff report in Sunday night for special bulletins airing until close to midnight. We also had extra reports on Monday’s Morning Edition – much of the time on school closings – and extra newscasts throughout that day. Could we have done more? Undoubtedly yes. It’s a matter we will be examining closely after this event. So thank you for reminding us of what you expect from us.]

Best in the USA

I wanted to call in support of your new Wait Wait rebroadcast on Sunday, but I was driving homeward to Hamilton from Atlanta, GA, and all I could do was listen. How about my timing- I drive home, after having completed work for eleven weeks in Georgia, and I arrive home during the pledge drive for my FAVORITE radio station!! When I am working out of town, I stream your station as often as I can. … Your station is the best in the US! I have been to [Atlanta, Seattle], Houston and Baltimore and all in between, and WMUB is the greatest…Thanks for being the best NPR station in the USA!.

--Don Jewell, Hamilton

This mom of 5 appreciates NPR

As a mom of 5 daughters, I am in the car a lot and truly appreciate being able to keep up on current events by listening to the great programs on NPR!

--Julie Ames, Dayton

Makes me a better citizen

It’s the only thing worth listening to on the radio. It makes me a better citizen.

--Tim and Susan Darcy, Dayton

A beacon of sanity

In a world plagued by screaming pundits that don't say much, NPR is the beacon of sanity in news.

--Kathryn Voss, Oxford

Most well-programmed station

WMUB continues to be the most well-programmed public radio station in the Miami Valley.

--Eric Becker, Dayton

Dairy goats appreciate WMUB

As always, thanks for the great work you all do at our community-conscious radio. I'm absolutely sure my dairy goats appreciate your programming in the barn during milking time!

--Debra Bowles, Oxford

Save the world?

If any radio station can save the world it is WMUB!

--Andy Wallis, Oxford

Thanks for the new format

Thanks for the new format. Although we enjoyed the jazz, we appreciate knowing that we can get the news and other quality shows 24 hours a day.

--David and Marcia Shetler, New Paris

Accolades for a job well done

We received our HD Radio several weeks ago, and after several days delay in getting it out of the box, we plugged it in and we cannot believe the CD quality sound. Our only problem is deciding which channel to tune, the BBC stream is great and they had many good comments during the Democratic National Convention. The jazz channel is good in that it just seems to take the edge off of a busy day, and of course the day cannot end with out a bit of Mama Jazz. The main channel is of course now even better with the tremendous audio quality. Thought I should add my accolades to you for a job well done, in giving us three stations that are each distinct and interesting out of one great offering. Cheers to all.

PS - Good luck on the fall funder, sorry we will be gone and cannot offer to help.

--names withheld, Camden