THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 21, 1996 TAG: 9601200006
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 121 lines
It was with deep regret that I read about WTKR's decision not to renew Dr. Duane Harding's contract. I had the opportunity to meet him a few years ago, and what a pleasure it was speaking with such an intelligent and nice man. Whatever station he goes to from here will be all the better for his experience and sincerity.
I, for one, am tired of all the personnel changes which, for the most part, go from bad to worse. Tom Randles is a fine newsman - the only good part about the 11 p.m. news. I sure will miss listening to him as I switch back to WVEC.
Thank goodness for CNN, ESPN and the Weather Channel.
And good luck to Dr. Duane. He deserves much better treatment.
CLAUDIA HAMILTON
Virginia Beach, Jan. 18, 1996
Virginia law allows an employer to dismiss an employee at will. With Dr. Duane Harding's contract approaching expiration, WTKR Channel 3 was free to choose to fire him and to do it in as shabby a manner as it saw fit.
Likewise, I am free to choose which television station I watch. Henceforth, I choose not to watch Channel 3.
JOHN S. DIXON
Virginia Beach, Jan. 18, 1996
After being faithful to WTKR news for years, I must now begin checking out other channels.
First the station has taken my favorite anchors off the 6 p.m. news, and I find it inconvenient to watch at 5 p.m.
And now the station has fired Dr. Duane Harding. Is it because he is a serious meteorologist rather than a wise-cracking showman?
That appears to be the aim of the news management - to entertain with Hollywood-like personalities and a tabloid approach to the news rather than to provide us with a serious journalistic account of current events.
Perhaps I should rely solely on CNN and forget about watching the local news murder and mayhem.
LUCILLE L. GARNER
Virginia Beach, Jan. 16, 1996
It will be a cold day in . . . Honolulu before I watch WTKR Channel 3 news again.
I have been a dedicated News 3 watcher. It was my No. 1 source of local news; but not anymore.
I find the decision to replace Dr. Duane reprehensible. He is the most professional and informative of any meteorologist on TV today, bar none. I have stayed with TV 3 through its numerous on-air changes in recent years - putting Dr. Duane on the roof; but not this.
I am grateful to Dr. Duane for all he has given to Hampton Roads. I wish him well; and his next audience is getting the best weatherman on TV.
JERALD J. MANN JR.
Virginia Beach, Jan. 17, 1996
I agree with columnist Larry Bonko: ``Dr. Duane gives the most accurate forecast in this area.''
WTKR must be out of touch with what the public wants. It seems it has fired more people than any other TV station in our area.
I thought WTKR had reached an all-time low several years ago when it fired several people almost when they were on the air. I went to another station for most of my news but still recorded Channel 3 and watched it later. I have now programmed my VCR to record another station.
I thought WTKR had done one of the dumbest things when it put the weathermen on the roof. Well, it's OK with me now. Keep the clowns on the roof; I won't see them anymore.
And now WTKR fires the best weathercaster in the area. Is this the way to increase its ratings? Count me out!
CARSON T. HOCHSTETLER
Chesapeake, Jan. 16, 1996
I do not like ``the direction in terms of news coverage and in terms of weather coverage'' that WTKR Channel 3 is taking (news, Jan. 16).
Dr. Duane Harding is possibly the most dependable, respected and educated meteorologist in Hampton Roads. It would seem that a station concerned with providing accurate, informational meteorological reports would want to retain an employee such as Dr. Harding. Obviously, this is not the case.
Maybe in an effort to save money the station wants to employ a weatherperson who can read the weather reports off the teleprompter. Possibly this is the type of ``talent change'' the station has in mind.
I wish Dr. Harding well and hope that he will be able to find employment with a TV station which respects his intelligence and capabilities.
ALBERT L. SMITH
Chesapeake, Jan. 18, 1996
What is wrong with the people in charge at WTKR? Dr. Duane Harding was my only sure source of local weather. He had the education and time in area to provide the information on what was going to happen locally. I counted on his skills as a trained meteorologist to inform me - from hurricanes to snowstorms. I have come to count on his abilities.
I will have trouble explaining this to my kids. I value a good education and try to pass this along to them. So what should I tell them? Education and abilities mean nothing; your skills will be your youth and looks?
I guess I can save that college money now. Thanks, WTKR, for setting such a good example!
TIMOTHY S. HAGGERTY
Norfolk, Jan. 18, 1996
Excuse me! Which gods are running WTKR?
I am speechless!
One evening I turned the channel to WTKR for my trusted news and weather report. I was astonished to find Dr. Duane perched on the rooftop delivering the weather report. Were the powers that be hoping that a spontaneous downpour, in which the good doctor would be drowned, would be our first clue to precipitation?
Now these same gods, in their infinite wisdom, have the audacity to fire a highly educated and trusted meteorologist because he doesn't fit the new ``image.''
WTKR has expressed its respect and concern for its viewers by insulting our intelligence and removing a trusted friend to us all from its program.
Good luck to Dr. Duane. His education, experience, talents and capabilities will land him on his feet, not on a rooftop!
NEWANNA S. CASTEEN
Suffolk, Jan. 16, 1996 by CNB