Station Editorial

Posted February 6, 2023

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.   Today, all of us are bombarded with more information than we ever have, from more sources than ever before.

But, you know, there's still ONE LOCAL source for local news and sports, severe weather information, high school sports play by play, and community involvement.  And, that's LOCAL RADIO.

As radio celebrated it's 100th anniversary last year, it's continued its commitment to service in markets large and small.

Despite the additional choices all of us have to get our information, LOCAL RADIO is still delivering the LOCAL information you want, expect, and deserve.

And, in those 100 years, radio has also evolved to deliver its LOCAL content via a variety of platforms, whether they be AM, FM, streaming, live video streams, or podcasts. 

I've told many people over the years, that as long as WE in LOCAL RADIO continue creating the LOCAL CONTENT you want and expect, and deliver it in the many platforms we now have the opportunity to, you'll continue listening.

With the advent of the Internet, LOCAL RADIO is delivering that LOCAL CONTENT in streaming, live videos via Facebook and Youtube, and podcasts.  And, that LOCAL CONTENT is also being POSTED to read on our free, on-line daily newspaper in each of our 2 markets, Taylorville and Clinton.

Another benefit is that LOCAL ADVERTISERS can reach LOCAL shoppers with these multiple platforms our LOCAL CONTENT is being delivered on, continuing to grow our economy in Central Illinois.

We're proud of our many stations' decades of LOCAL service to the communities we serve, and are THANKFUL for our thousands of listeners to our on-air platforms on-air and on-line, as well as THOUSANDS of readers to our free, on-line daily newspapers.  

We're here to continue helping our local economies GROW!

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

EDITORIAL POTPOURRI posted January 3, 2023

This is editorial potpourri, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

Point number one:  Despite various legislators telling us over 5 years ago that Illinois Route 48 thru Macon, Christian and Montgomery Counties was part of the state’s 5-year road improvement plan to be re-paved, it hasn’t happened since telling us that 5 years ago.  It’s one of the roughest roads in the area for commuters, shoppers, and the general public to travel.  Here’s a public hint to our area legislators, that the road sure could use getting re-paved before another 5 years is up.

Point number 2:  We welcome new county board chairs across our 2 clusters’ coverage areas, and especially the new chairs in our stations’ home counties of DeWitt and Christian.  We hope with new leadership comes a new era of cooperation among county board members in their respective counties, to discuss the issues in a respectful manner with an outcome that’s positive for county residents, especially in the area of economic development.  

Point number 3:  Countless doctors and nurses we know thru-out Central Illinois, have shared that the demeanor of their patients during and since COVID, has been anger, demanding, and condescending.  While patients have long asked for understanding and emphathy from doctors and nurses, it’s time to remind those patients that health care is short-staffed and doing the best they can with the staff they have.   One of my daughters, who has been in the nursing profession some 15 years, tells me that during and since COVID, she has been yelled at and verbally abused by patients.  But!  So that hospitals will keep their high rating to continue receiving government payments, nursing staff are told to just take it.  Some nurses have even been told they can file charges against patients that physically abuse them.    Patients need an “attitude adjustment” and realize that a nurse isn’t going to answer their call button the second they hit it because they’re short-staffed.  Such abuse of nurses by patients is one reason thousands of nurses are leaving the profession in the first place.  So, next time you’re a patient in a hospital or doctor’s office, remember that courtesy and understanding is a 2-way street.

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted December 1, 2022

Dear Editor:

'Hacking’ is taking the fun out of Facebook. We are ‘One Click Away’ from potentially harmful links sent via Messenger. Your privacy is only as secure as your friends’ privacy settings. Protect yourself and review your privacy settings and encourage your friends to do the same.

Nearly everyone on Facebook has been receiving bogus friend requests. Usually, they’re from ‘cloned’ or duplicate profiles. Some result from malicious links sent via Messenger. To protect yourself, review your privacy settings. Stop letting the entire world see your friends list.

Public friends’ lists make all of us far more susceptible to being targets of ‘cloned’ profiles. Bogus friend requests are targeting friends of those with ‘Public’ friends’ lists. Letting the entire world see your friends list is why so many people are getting ‘Hacked,’ and makes every one of your friends a target for mischief.

Review your Privacy Settings and change "Who Can See Your Friends List' from 'Public' to 'Only You.'

Settings & Privacy can be accessed several ways, depending on whether you use a phone or PC. Using the Privacy Shortcuts is the simplest. Review your settings, and change as many to Non-Public as necessary.

There are additional privacy settings that can and should be changed from 'Public' to 'Only You.' You could limit, for example, who other than friends, can follow or contact you.

Your activity log displays the history of access to your account, by any device, including unrecognized devices.

'Hacking’ is taking the fun out of Facebook. We are ‘One Click Away’ from potentially harmful links sent via Messenger. Your privacy is only as secure as your friends’ privacy settings.

Protect yourself and review your privacy settings and encourage your friends to do the same. Stop letting the entire world see your friends list.

Sincerely,

Brad Barnes

Clinton, IL

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 5, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  Well, it's the holiday season...the season of thanks for our many blessings and for the birth of Jesus Christ.  

Despite another year of rancor and division in our country, we still live in the greatest country in the world, where we can do and say just about anything as long as we follow the rule of law.  Not many countries have the freedoms we do and many times we don't stop and think about it.

Time marches on for us all.  I thank God for my faith, my family, and for the extended family I have in every one of you, our listeners.  

I'll be celebrating 50 years in the radio business I love, in 2023.  

I've been blessed to have been part of the Taylorville-Shelbyville-Pana communities with our Taylorville cluster of stations the past 30 years, and 15 years in our Clinton-Monticello-Lincoln markets.

Our 2 legacy stations this year celebrated anniversaries, too.  WTIM in Taylorville threw a party in May with the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce to honor that station's 70th anniversary, and WHOW in Clinton is celebrating 75 years of service with a fun evening as well.

While all of us have challenges every day, it's important to stop, reflect, and be thankful for all that God has given each of us.

May you and your family have a most blessed holiday season, and may the love we share this time of year extend into the new year ahead.

Quoting Henry Wadsworth Longfellow from the poem "The Harvest Moon":  
"It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests
And their aerial neighborhoods of nests
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests!" 

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 1, 2022

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

The year was 1946.  A group of Clinton area residents decided it was time for the DeWitt County seat to have its own radio station.  After over a year of work, WHOW THE BIG 1520 signed on August 2nd, 1947.  WHOW has provided 75 years of service to Clinton, DeWitt County, and Central Illinois ever since, and since it's the station's 75th anniversary, it wants to CELEBRATE!  

We're inviting you to our WHOW 75th Anniversary Banquet taking place Saturday, November 12th at the Clinton Country Club!   We're footing the bill for everything—the venue, entertainment, food, everything—AND will debut the showing of the WHOW 75th Anniversary video! Social hour starts at 5:30, dinner is at 6:30, and the debut of our WHOW 75th Anniversary video at 7:30 that night.   

The evening includes entertainment by country singer Gracia Harrison, and a delicious plated pork chop meal with all the trimmings.  There'll even be a special WHOW 75th Anniversary cake to enjoy!  This special night will be a fund-raiser with all ticket sales going to the Neighborhood Care Center No Fee Grocery, and the Clinton High School Student Activity Fund.  

The clock is ticking to the deadline to buy tickets to this special night!  THIS FRIDAY, November 4th at 5pm is the absolute deadline for you to buy your tickets, so that we know how much food and cake to plan for.

Tickets are 50-dollars each or buy a table of 8 for 360-dollars!  Tickets can be purchased at the Clinton High School office during school day business hours.  Help WHOW raise money for these 2 special causes, and watch the debut of the WHOW 75th Anniversary video, Saturday, November 12th at the Clinton Country Club.

We hope you’ll support these 2 worthwhile local non-profit causes, and help WHOW celebrate 75 years of service to Clinton, DeWitt County, and Central Illinois, by purchasing your tickets at Clinton High School by the deadline this Friday at 5pm.  

Just as a group of local people had the vision of local radio in Clinton, let’s celebrate their legacy, WHOW’s past, and look to the future as we continue serving our listeners on AM, FM, audio and video streamed from the Big Red Barn!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted September 21, 2022

Dear Editor:

I felt the need to write about this subject for quite a while now.

I truly feel we live in one of the best communities that there is. Whether it's due to great neighbors, supportive individuals in the community, great jobs, or the plethora of quality locally owned businesses, we live in a great Community.

And it’s one of those quality businesses that I have to talk about, because they do not get the amount of recognition that they deserve.

Our local Save-A-Lot is hands down one of the best resources we have in our awesome Community. If you are a patron of the store, you can see how great the store is as far as quality of the items sold, cleanliness in general of the inside and outside of the property, the friendliness of the staff, great pricing, and the list goes on and on.

But what I don’t think that most people know is how supportive to the community they are. The Kenney Fire Department has been doing an annual Chicken Fry every year for the past 40+ years. We found ourselves in a major dilemma a few years back when the Pandemic hit. Most of the items we got from all over the Community were out of stock with no possible way of getting in time. Many hours of brainstorming and lost sleep happened… until we reached out to Save-A-Lot.

They somehow got us EVERYTHING that we needed, and at a generous price. Since then, they have been nothing short of amazing to us in helping get the needed items and showing their continued support.

Both Dave Jackson and Jon Groves came to us this year during set-up and cooking to make sure everything was up to our standards, and of course it was.

Their generosity and support mean everything to us and we are truly grateful for them and the amazing business Dave runs.

There are so many great businesses in our Community who show their support to Non-Profit organizations like Kenney Fire Department, and we are truly blessed to live where we do.

Of these great businesses, Save-A-Lot is second to none. Keep running a great business, WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!

John Wrage

Kenney Fire Department

Fire Chief 

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted September 9, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

What's old is new again.  That's the subject of an article on "theringer.com" headlined "Is Old Music Killing New Music?"  The sub-headline says that the power of nostalgia in pop culture is bringing old music back again.

The article by Ted Gioia goes on to say that the song of the summer was Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" from 1985, launched by the most-watched global TV show of the summer "Stranger Things" which pays homage to the 1980's.

And, the writer says the biggest movie hit of the summer, "Top Gun:  Maverick" is a sequel to the 1986 film.  That was 36 years ago!

He adds that the 5 biggest movies of the year were all sequels as well.  

The writer of the ringer.com article says consumption of new music is down while the growth is in what's called "catalog music," or older songs.

He adds Wall Street is paying attention.  Investment groups are buying rights to old music catalogs dating back to the 70's or even further back than that.  Why?  Because that's what people are BUYING and listening to!

The writer points out it's the first time in one thousand years that people are investing in OLD songs, saying that consumption of older music went from 67 to 73 percent from last year to this.

While as the song goes, "the times they are a changin'", the global population is waxing nostalgic for memories of simpler times when people actually got along.

I suspect Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, George Harrison, Andy Gibb, Tom Petty and thousands more singers that are in Rock and Roll Heaven, are having a celebration concert in heaven over the fact their music is "new" again.

Makes me feel good to play these and mamy other artists form the last over 40 years, on our Miller Media Group music stations.

Because, right now, in the times we're living in, what's old is new again, and that's a good thing.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted August 20, 2022

Dear Editor:

Not 100% happy with your choices for Governor in November? You should inform yourself about Scott Schluter, the Libertarian candidate for Illinois governor. 

Scott is a pro liberty candidate that will work to make the authoritarian state of Illinois free again.  You can find more about him at https://scottschluter.com.

Nathan Florey

Clinton, IL 61727

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted August 6, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

The word INFLATION is one we hear practically every day in the news.
And, of course, both political parties are blaming each other for it.

Truth is, no matter where you go or what you buy, you're feeling its effects.

I want to delve into the WHY we have the inflation rate at plus or minus 10 percent over the past year.  

It's simple economics, capitalism, and the marketplace.

Reason # 1 of 2:  When BOTH parties pass legislation borrowing or printing over 2-trillion, that's trillion with a "T", dollars to pass out claiming the country needed it in 2021 despite signs the economy was doing OK, that's going to cause inflation, and a lot of it.

Reason # 2 of 2:  When politicians shut off the domestic oil spigot because the majority party is realizing that, instead of having 4 years to pass their green agenda they now have less than 3 months, they've got to stop anything that will increase the domestic oil supply, and more, begin ramping down anything that burns fossil fuel.  The problem is, when you shut down increased production of fossil fuels, that still power homes, businesses and factories, you can't ramp up the green agenda to generate power fast enough.  Wind and solar aren't being built quick enough to replace the fossil fuels the majority party are shutting down.  

That's why one of my transmitter site power bills last month went from $1200 to over $3100.  OUCH.

Well, there you have it. Simple economics, capitalism, and the marketplace.  And when politicians tamper with it, it turns it into a MESS, and is hitting OUR pocketbooks and will continue to do so for quite a while.

When the marketplace is LEFT alone WITHOUT any tampering by government, it works pretty well.  

When government—whether it's federal or state—DOES tamper with it, you and I will be paying MORE for our energy, goods and services, for a LONG time.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted June 26, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

Rulings by the U-S Supreme Court on June 23rd and 24th on 2 emotional issues, has re-charged discussions on gun control and abortion.

On June 23rd, the Court ruled that New York State's restrictive conceal-carry gun law was unconstitutional.   

The Court announced 2 rulings on June 24th.  The first centered on a Mississippi law that banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The State of Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to strike down a lower court ruling that stopped the 15-week abortion ban from taking place.   The Court voted 6 to 3 to uphold the Mississippi ban.

The second ruling the Court announced June 24th, was the pivotal one.  Voting 5 to 4, the Court said that a right to an abortion is not a constitutional right, and moving the issue to states to decide individually.  This overturned the Court's 1973 ruling of Roe versus Wade.

Those on both sides of both rulings, vowed that they would carry their fight into the mid-term elections.

Here's my fear.   On these and many other issues on the federal, state, and even local levels, the way the Founding Fathers set up our republic over 200 years ago, will begin to unravel.  As I've said in editorials for over 2 years, the answer to any issue—controversial or not—is in the middle, but in this emotionally-charged, politically-charged time we're living in, no one is willing to compromise. 

The sad part of all this, is that the segregation civil rights leaders fought to stop in the last century, is re-emerging as what I'm calling political segregation.  If you believe what a red state believes in, you may decide to make that state your new residence, and ditto if you believe in policies of a blue state.   People still vote with their pocketbooks.  But, the furthering of what I'm calling the political segregation of our country, may be a result.

All this will further divide an already-divided country.  No one is willing to meet in the middle.  

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 24, 2022

Dear Editor:

 I would appreciate your support of my niece, Sara Jade Russell, on June 28, 2022, as your next Republican DeWitt County Treasurer.  

Before Jade decided to run for this political position, she reached out to the treasurer's office to understand the duties and responsibilities.   She was advised that the treasurer does not employ advanced accounting methods.   It is a job which requires record keeping and basic bank transactions. With Jade's prior work experience and education, she is well qualified for this position.  

Being an accountant is not a requirement for the treasurer's position.  

Leslie Trimble Cyrulik  

Clinton, IL 61727

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Submitted June 24, 2022

Dear Editor:

DeWitt County is fortunate to have good people to run for office.   That is true of the race for the DeWitt County Treasurer's office. 

I am supporting Sara Jade Russell in this race.   I have known Jade all of her life as well as her grandparents, Glen and Mabel Trimble.

She is a hard worker now and always has been.   She is well educated and well prepared to handle the duties of the DeWitt County Treasurer.

I am asking that you give Sara Jade Russell your vote on June 28, 2022. 

Ray Moss
Clinton, IL 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 23, 2022

Dear Editor:

 Letter to the Editor 

I am supporting Sara Jade Russell in the Republican DeWitt County Treasurer's race. 

I have known Jade for over 20 years.   She's a great neighbor and friend.    She is a hard worker and a very caring person.   She is trustworthy, intelligent, and well qualified for this position..

I ask my friends and family to join me in supporting and voting for Sara Jade Russell on June 28, 2022, as our next DeWitt County Treasurer. 

Pat Toohill
Clinton, IL 61727
 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 22, 2022

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my support for and also encourage you to vote for S Jade Russell as your next County Treasurer. 

Jade and her family have been planted in DeWitt County for many generations. As a past DeWitt County Board Member and Vice Chairman, I’m so proud to see Jade follow in the footsteps of her grandparents (Glen and Mabel Trimble) in seeking a life of service! 

Jade has the passion to help make a difference in DeWitt County, save the taxpayers’ money, and lead from a position of strong ethics, values, and morals. She also has 16 years experience in audits, invoices, receipts, bills, reconciling financial reports & training and leading employees.

Please cast your vote for S Jade Russell on June 28, 2022. A vote for Jade is a vote for the future of DeWitt County! 

Thank you, 
Levi Sturgeon

Bloomington, IL 
 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 22, 2022

Dear Editor:

I have known Jade Russell for more than 20 years. She has strong work ethics, is dependable and comes from a respectable family. She would be a great asset to this community as DeWitt County Treasurer.

Terry Hammer 

Clinton
 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 14, 2022

Dear Editor:

If you are tired of the Republican and Democrat duopoly you are reminding there is another viable option on the ballot.  The Libertarian Party is recently established in DeWitt County, and you can pull a Libertarian ballot for the primary election.  This simple act might not seem like much, but will send a clear message that the people are tired of the same old Republican and Democrat drivel.

Nathan Florey

Chairman, DeWitt County Libertarian Party

Clinton, Illinois

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 13, 2022

Dear Editor:
 

My Name is Codilee Snow and I am running as the Republican Candidate for DeWitt County Treasurer.  I graduated from Clinton High School, then continued my education at Blackburn College earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Economics.  While earning my degree at Blackburn I was an intern in the Business Department.

I worked closely with the Vice President of Finance on large projects and the day to day accounting processes to run the college. There I gained great financial experience. 

For the past 8 years I have worked at Heartland Dental. As the Operations Manager, where I facilitate a multimillion-dollar practice. My responsibilities include auditing, daily/monthly financial reconciliations, multiple department budgeting, financial reporting, team management, along with customer satisfaction. This position has given me valuable experience that I can bring to the DeWitt County Treasurer office.

My background is in Financial, Managerial, Fund and Cost Accounting. The knowledge I’ve gained from my many years of experience and education in Accounting has equipped me with the skills needed to
serve DeWitt County as your Treasurer. I would appreciate your support for the DeWitt County Treasurer.

Sincerely,

Codilee Snow
Wapella, IL

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted May 31, 2022

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.  

The horrific massacre of 19 students at a Texas elementary school May 24th, has the country again focused on gun control.  

In doing some research on this issue, this discussion dates back to 1791 just after the country was founded, when the Second Amendment was passed saying quote:   “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."   Ever since, there has been an emotional debate in the country over regulating the distribution and sale of any type of gun.

The discussion accelerated in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a mail order rifle bought by the assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.  It wasn’t until 1968 and the assassinations of John’s brother Robert Kennedy and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, that mail order guns were banned.  Other gun laws have passed the last 50 years but the problem persists.  Bad guys still get guns.

All this leads us to where we’re at today. We applaude Congress for trying to pass some common-sense legislation to limit those who should NEVER have a gun in their hand.  Some of this tragically may be coming from the lack of socialization due to the pandemic,  in the lives of many of the suspects in these horrible events, plus the message from the media and others that we don’t have to respect the rule of law OR the police.  As a result, lawlessness is rampant in many areas because those committing the crimes think there are no consequences for their actions.

Criminals don’t pay attention to gun laws.  There are plenty of guns out there for them to get their hands on, legally or illegally.  With no consequences for their actions, even if they get killed in the act of shooting up public places, the media will still give them their 15 minutes of fame.  

The answer to all this, like everything else in life, is in the middle.  Return to the rule of law, to respecting the police, and to send a strong message this kind of behavior is flat out NOT acceptable in a free country.

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted May 11, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  

Well, the greedy foreign record labels and singing artists are at it again, going to Congress with the tin cup in their hand wanting to TAX radio stations for playing THEIR music.  This so-called Performance Tax on free, local radio stations would jeopardize local jobs, prevent new artists from breaking into the recording business and harm the hundreds of millions of Americans who rely on local radio. 

We are asking you to urge legislators to support the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes a performance tax and is supported by more than 230 bipartisan members of the House and Senate. Additionally, broadcasters ask legislators to oppose any performance tax proposal, such as the American Music Fairness Act. Here’s why: For nearly a century, record labels and performers have thrived from airplay – which is essentially free advertising – from local radio stations. 

But as the big record labels struggle to keep profit margins high, they are urging Congress to impose a tax on these local radio stations that are, ironically, their greatest promotional tool. Each Congress, the record labels push policymakers to impose a new fee on local radio stations simply for airing music on the radio. 

This would financially cripple local radio stations, harming the millions of listeners who rely on local radio for news, emergency information, weather updates and entertainment every day. Local radio continues to be the top source for listeners seeking new music, far surpassing other sources. Free radio airplay provides the recording industry increased popularity, visibility and sales for both established and new artists. 

Recognizing the value of free radio airplay, Congress has repeatedly rejected the record labels’ attempts to impose a harmful performance tax on local radio stations. Efforts to attach a performance tax to consensus legislation that benefits all stakeholders, such as the Music Modernization Act, have failed once exposed as the poison pill it is. 

The bottom line: Please stand up for LOCAL radio by supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes a performance tax. Go to taylorvilledailynews.com or dewittdailynews.com and click on the "NO PERFORMANCE TAX" link to tell our local Congressmen and Senators not to enact a government-imposed performance tax on local radio. 

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted May 9, 2022

Dear Editor:  

I have stated in previous letters that I thought this County Board was anti development and how it could ruin any development in the future. It appears I may have been correct. Randal J. Miller(Miller Media) has noticed this attitude also. (April 26, 2022 DeWitt Daily News Editorial)

Last Thursday night the County Board passed a solar ordinance change which effectively prevents any development of any large solar projects. This was a recommended change from the Regional Planning Commission. The recommended language was voted on and passed, even though the States Attorney has repeatedly cautioned against such a change, as it could bring litigation against the County and could not be enforced! We've been down this road in the not so distant past and dodged a financial catastrophe!

Going forward with such a change, even against the advice of the States Attorney, shows that this Board and the RPC are anti development regardless of the consequences. Actions speak louder than words and these actions scream anti development!

Solar development contributes approximately the same revenue as wind developments without any of the drawbacks envisioned by the anti wind coalition. It also touches another argument of theirs about being told how to use their property. Another argument which was made was that it takes farmland out of production.

That is true, however if farmland being taken out of production is a major concern, then all of the setback land should be released and those subsidies should be used elsewhere. Solar farms have also shown that they have an advantage in as much as the area below the panels can grow vegetation conducive to sustain wildlife habitat. This is a huge positive in my book!

Reducing the opportunities to increase funding for basic services, education, and quality of life enhancement's seems counterproductive. Revenue increases without raising taxes are hard to come by and this is being done as the School Board is considering to attempt a one cent sales tax to help fund the District's needs 

If it's needed then by all means it should be enacted, but, if that money can come from somewhere else why not take advantage of that source? Don't just blindly put it on the backs of taxpayers!

The money is needed in this County just to maintain our current obligations. An example of how tight our budget is, the County just sold off some of it's property to finance needed repairs at the Marina. When will it become necessary to do something similar in the future, as an example, to fund ambulance service or law enforcement? The other question is what would be sacrificed? The only other options are outside income or tax increases. The latter being the least desired and certainly the most burdensome.

Without outside sources of revenue the personal tax burden will become overbearing. The results would possibly be the reduction of residents in the County, eliminating or reducing basic services, business relocating to tax friendlier counties, and the death of the County as we know it.

I would hope that these bodies of government will consider all aspects of their actions when voting on all motions presented to them. To govern correctly you have to leave personal preference at the door and do what is right for the citizens within your sphere of influence.

Anti development is not an acceptable position or attitude when so much depends on it.

Lance M. Reece 
Clinton, Illinois

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted April 26, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

This editorial is about what you and I have gone thru the past 2+ years as a result of the COVID pandemic:  Fatique and as a result, the anger and negativity it's caused.

We all are suffering from it, whether you think so or not.  Over 2 years of dealing with the greatest pandemic in our lifetime, has taken its toll on families, businesses, practically every entity you can think of.  Including County Boards.

Why do I mention County Boards?  Because the attitude a couple of them have displayed in recent weeks in our 2 clusters' listening areas, is giving the vibe that Christian and DeWitt Counties are not open for new economic development.

In Christian County, the issue of allowing a carbon sequistration pipeline thru the county, and 6 wells to be drilled between Taylorville and Stonington to pump and store the C-O-2 into, has board members picking sides before all information has been presented.

And in DeWitt County, County Board members basically changed the zoning ordinance not allowing an interested solar farm developer to apply for a permit.

Both are examples of giving potential developers and those wanting to invest in these counties, the impression that economic development isn't welcome in either county.

And, again because of the post-COVID atmosphere we're all in, and the fatique we've all experienced, it's manifesting itself as an attitude of not wanting to consider a project—or in the case of DeWitt County, keeping the solar ordinance as it was originally passed--before all the information is shared.  

We hope both County Boards will realize that decisions can't be made before all the information they need to make those decisions, is provided them.  COVID fatique can't turn into "anti-anything" fatique, because the future economic development in both counties, is at stake.

We're not supporting or being against any project.  We just hope Christian and DeWitt County Boards show they really do want economic development and growth, but their actions may be saying just the opposite. 

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted March 17, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

I'm here to congratulate the Monticello Sages boys basketball team, for their second place finish in the Illinois High School Association Class 2-A State Playoffs at the State Farm Center in Champaign on March 12th.

Our soft hits music station WEZC 95-point-9, which has been the Radio Voice of Monticello Sages Sports for many years, followed the team thru-out the season and to Champaign where we were honored to broadcast the call of the 2 games played there.

Our long-time WEZC Sages play by play announcer Seth Laurence, and long-time color commentator Ray Wichus, brought the games to listeners across Central Illinois on the radio as well as streamed at dewittdailynews.com.

Head coach Kevin Roy and the Sages boys basketball team also ended up with the best record of any boys basketball team in Sages history, finishing 33-and-4 and 9-and-one in the Illini Prairie Conference.

We congratulate Coach Roy and the Sages on their great season.  We know that not only the town of Monticello, but all of Central Illinois, are proud of the team on how they played as well as how their well-represented their community.

The Sages are a great example of what small town high school sports are all about.  In our many years of my stations broadcasting high school sports, it's typically the biggest thing going on that people then talk about the next day.

That's part of small town living, and that's why our radio group is honored to serve so many great communities in our coverage areas.

It's what makes our towns the vibrant, close-knit communities that more and more people are moving TO.

Again, congratulations to Monticello Sages head basketball coach Kevin Roy, and the 2021-22 Sages basketball team, for their great season culminating in their second place finish in the Class 2-A State Basketball Tournament March 12th.

Feel free to post YOUR congratulations on our WHOW/WEZC/dewittdailynews.com Facebook page!  

I'm station president Randal J. Miller.

STATION EDITIORIAL

Posted February 27, 2022

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

This is a post-script on my Editorial written February 16th.   Late in the day on February 25th, the Illinois Supreme Court denied an appeal on the school mask mandate, filed by Governor Pritzker.  This was the final nail in the coffin regarding mandating school masking, after it had previously been suspended by a Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge and later the Illinois Appellate Court.  

As the Governor drops the mask mandate for the general public on February 28th, a look back at the school mask mandate nearly past 2 years is in order.

As I've said for most of the nearly 2 years, the school mask mandate has always been a power grab by Pritzker, taking control away from local school boards on what they deem best for their particular students.

We've seen government overreach at all levels these past nearly 2 years.  Doesn't matter whether it's Democrat or Republican, government has acted like it knew better than we did, how to run our schools, our personal health, and basically our life.

This all stemmed from the fear all politicians had going into the pandemic, that they would get blamed, and thus not re-elected, for killing off Grandma, plus doing a power grab at the same time.

We as voters need to be very, very careful of government, whether federal or state, in the future.  We are a country governed by and for, the people.  It's not the other way around.

And, may I again remind not only the Governor, but all federal and state officials, that it IS an election year, and while Americans generally have a short memory, what we've endured these past 2 years will be burned into our memory the rest of our lives, and definitely this year when we go to the polls.

The preamble to the Declaration of Independence we all learned in school says it best:    "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  May God continue to bless our great country and its people.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted February 16, 2022

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.  Well, as of February 15th, it appears that the school mask mandate is dying a slow death.  Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health, first instituted the mask mandate in schools, at the start of the COVID pandemic back in 2020.  

The Illinois Department of Public Health tried to re-institute the school mask mandate, after a Sangamon County circuit judge threw out the mandate for the 166 school districts that sued Pritzker claiming it was illegal.

But, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a bi-partisan group of Illinois state senators and representatives, ruled on February 15th, that I-D-P-H’s re-issuance of the school mask mandate was not enforcable.

All of this kaos was created by Pritzker and his agencies, to try and mitigate the COVID pandemic.  First, they shut down the schools and went to remote learning, which was a disaster, putting kids behind in learning and taxing the mental health of both children and their parents.

Then, came the mask mandate once schools re-opened, which led to more executive orders.

Now, nearly 2 years after the pandemic first started, it appears as though the school mask mandate in Illinois is finally dead.  Thank God.

While the Governor and the I-D-P-H continue to wait on a remedy from the courts, school districts across the state took the JCAR ruling on February 15th, as permission to return to life as we know it.  Finally.

I heard a Northwestern University doctor recently say that, with around 80 percent of the country having at least one vaccine shot, and many people building natural immunity after having the virus itself, plus many more ways to treat those who now get it, it’s time to get on with life.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.  I just hope the Governor stops this power grab continuing to control Illinois schools.  I thought that’s why we elect local school boards.
And, Governor, don’t forget..it’s an election year.  

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted January 20, 2022

Dear Editor:

As has been reported, both the DeWitt County Clerk as well as the DeWitt County Treasurer are not seeking reelection this year.  Congratulations to them for their years of public service and well deserved retirements! 

If anyone reading this, or anyone the reader knows of, is interested in running for either office as a libertarian please reach out.  A person DOES NOT need to be a member of the Libertarian Party to run as a libertarian in the primary election.  If anybody is interested please reach out as soon as you can.  We only have until the middle of March to collect signatures in order to get your name on the ballot. 

If you are interested and would like some more information on the local Libertarian Party chapter in DeWitt County do not hesitate to reach out.  The chapter’s email address is dewittcountylibertarianparty@gmail.com. 

You can also email me directly at n.florey1@gmail.com. Also, our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/DCLP2018/?ref=pages_you_manage.  Thank you and I hope to hear from you!

Nathan Florey

Chairman, DeWitt County Libertarian Party

Clinton, IL