Don't Touch That Dial

By John Gunner Gooch

Controversy isn’t something usually associated with the community’s radio station, WRHC 106.7 FM, but that was the case during a recent Radio Harbor Country membership meeting when program host Martin Dzuris filed an appeal and made his case to reclaim the second hour of his “Martin Dzuris Live!” show that the Programming Committee had voted to take away.Dzuris feels the decision to reduce his air time was based more on his conservative political leanings than his performance behind the microphone, and that has led the more liberal members of the Programming Committee to try to hold him to a more professional standard than his colleagues at the all-volunteer operation. Members of the Programming Committee have denied that discrimination charge, saying that Dzuris didn’t heed advice to tighten up the content of his show, and that taking it back to its original hour format would help do that.If you’ve never met Dzuris, I’d describe him as a character, and I mean that in the best way. He’s an interesting guy with an interesting background; an immigrant from the Czech Republic who truly appreciates our freedom of speech and other opportunities that were not so readily available in the country of his birth. He’s also not shy about using his freedom of speech to voice his opinions on hot button issues, and, love him or hate him,you have to admire his passion. His Monday evening show has gotten a buzz, has broken stories, and has engaged listeners who phone in to join the lively art of conversation by agreeing or disagreeing with his views on various topics. If dialogue is the lifeblood of a vibrant community, Dzuris is certainly doing his part to keep it pumping through the body politic.Fred Upton and Cindy McCain have been guests on his show, and so have Judy Truesdell and Kim Clark, not to mention Rev. Kenneth Mundt. He’s a longtime friend and supporter of Ibrahim Parlak, backing the Harbert restaurateur’s legal efforts to fight deportation back to Turkey and become an American citizen. If “Martin Dzuris Live!” isn’t your cup of tea, it’s preceded in the lineup by “Democracy Now,” and followed by the “Wilbur Fibble Comedy Hour.” That’s diversity, and an eclectic selection of shows that WRHC is rightly proud to be broadcasting.At this point it’s hard to tell how this controversy is going to end, but a decision on the appeal is expected to be handed down in the near future. Dzuris would like at least a six-month trial period of retaining his two hours on the air so he can prove to those in charge he is capable of making changes and being a little kinder and gentler to callers he may disagree with, while also taking steps to tighten up the content of his program.While the debate over the Dzuris situation got decidedly heated at times during the meeting, it was nice to see some cooler heads prevail near the end and ask for compromise and common ground to be found to resolve things in a more amicable manner. I also took it as a good sign that Dzuris stuck around long after the meeting adjourned to continue the conversation with some of his detractors and supporters. Managing to disagree agreeably is one of life’s biggest challenges, but somehow as a community and a country we’ve always been able to find ways to do that. One of the bright spots about living in this country is that our foundational similarities that bond us are much stronger than the differences that could otherwise pull us apart to the breaking point.“100 watts of power, 1000 watts of community” is the WRHC motto the late, great Mike Hojnacki came up with, and it’s a powerful statement for the little powerhouse of a radio station that always keeps things interesting.If you want to find out what happens to Martin Dzuris, don’t change that dial. Stay in touch, and stay tuned.

WRHC host sees political bias behind 1-hour cut for talk show

By John Gunner Gooch
For The South County Gazette News

THREE OAKS - WRHC radio station program host Martin Dzuris has never been shy about airing his opinions during his weekly "Martin Dzuris Live!" program. During the Dec. 13 Radio Harbor Country general meeting, he was equally frank about a recent Programming Committee decision to reduce his Monday evening time slot from two hours to one.The Radio Harbor Country Programming Committee had voted 7-1 during a previous meeting on Dec. 8 to approve a motion to take away an hour of Dzuris' live broadcast, and also to reduce rebroadcasting of the show, a move that he's appealing to the station's Board of Directors.At the Dec. 13 general meeting, Dzuris said he feels the Programming Committee is discriminating against him and his show due to his conservative political viewpoints and political associations. He added that this violates some of Radio Harbor Country's bylaws including one that states the radio station values diversity and will take no action against any individual on account of his or her political association.

Read the rest here

Breaking News – Three Oaks is Bankrupt!

There was a special emergency meeting of the Village of Three Oaks council on May 9th. During the meeting it was revealed that Three Oaks is financially broke.

The council formed and approved an Emergency Finance Committee.
The new committee members are:
Bret Witkowski - Berrien County Treasurer
Frank Walsh – St. Joseph City Manager
David Grosse
Chris Siebenmark

The Village president Philip Smith was asked to resign by Chris Ranzenberger, the village trustee.

Tune to Martin Dzuris Live on Monday May 12th for more info…..

You can listen to the audio of the meeting here.

There Will Be A New Mayor In New Buffalo

Major Bob Westergren will not be the mayor of New Buffalo. He has lost his re-election bid in today’s elections. His last city council meeting will be on May 13th. The city budget will be on the agenda that day.
Rusty Geisler was re-elected and newcomer Susan Maroko will be the new council member of New Buffalo.
Susan Maroko will be seated for the first time on the council May 20th.
The new council will select a new mayor and mayor protem on May 20th.

Results for city council:
Susan Maroko 247
Rusty Geisler 202
Bob Westergren 193
Ray Lawson 174

There are 1427 registered voters in New Buffalo; 447 voted in the election.

There is no change on the New Buffalo School Board. Lisa Warner and John Anderson got re-elected as they ran unopposed.