Gentleman Agitator Meets Darryl Parks' Big One Blog

    Recently, I wrote about Cincinnati, Ohio’s proposed streetcar line and the reaction to that from program director, Darryl Parks of Cincinnati radio station, WLW-AM. That is 700 on your AM dial in just about 32 states when the 50 thousand watts out of the transmitter hits the atmosphere just right. Also, they stream online and can be heard via XM radio.
    Mr. Parks came across my essay on his reaction to the proposed streetcar line. So, first, thanks Darryl for giving me a read and reporting on your own WLW blog, even if you do not agree with what I said.
   I must clarify one thing about his response. He seems to indicate that the Stinky Sandwich Award I gave out earlier this year was for WLW’s audience as well as the station. That is not the case. It was meant for the station, NOT its audience. Actually, not even the whole staff, but for himself and his non-sports talk show hosts. To read that Stinky in full go here.
    Mr. Parks ended his blog post by asking me, “By the way, Mr. Agitator appears to live in Bloomington, Indiana.  Does he have his tax dollars at risk?  Just a question from a "Stinky Sandwich" award winner.”   Well, no I do not. I do live in Bloomington, Indiana, not Cincinnati. If I did though, I would be willing to put my tax dollars at risk for the betterment of Cincinnati.  I like Cincinnati a lot and want it to succeed. I want mass transportation to thrive in this country because I believe it can help ease some of the heavy reliance on the automobile, spur revitalization of our cities, help the environment and so on. But wait Darryl, lest you think I am for every streetcar that comes down the rails, let me mention one plan right here in Bloomington. It is the bogus downtown trolley (streetcar).
    While Bloomington, Indiana does not have a metro area the size of Cincinnati, we are a growing community and we have transportation issues. As a citizen, who wants to make Bloomington a better place to live,  I work on transortation issues as a member of a city committee on transportation and a citizen’s action organization, Bloomington Transportation Options for People. Our mayor Mark Kruzan and some others in city government have floated the idea of a streetcar that will ride the streets of downtown shuttling passengers from near by parking, hotels, the convention center and the Indiana University campus, so that they may have better access downtown amenities. The problem is the trolley is an ordinary bus with the shell of an old-fashioned trolley. It is bogus! It is just a cutesy, touristy, gambit to make downtown more appealing. At least, I guess what the intention is. This “trolley” will cost an initial $ 600,000 to just purchase two for use. Operating costs have not been estimated yet. The city has offered $ 300,000 for the purchase of one.  This trolley will most likely stop before beginning its first route. I certainly do not want my tax dollars spent for something that really will do little to aid the transportation needs of the city. The money would be better spent to support the very good Bloomington Transit bus system. Another hybrid bus to add to the fleet would be good.  I look forward to seeing other proposals develop here in Indiana such as the commuter rail corridor that would run from Muncie to Indianapolis to Bloomington.
    So you see, not every idea is a good one where transit is concerned. Back over in the Queen City, that streetcar line does have the potential to help a continued improvement of downtown and Over the Rhine. It could be the first in a system of streetcar (light rail) lines that could extend from CVG to Newport all the way out to areas like Mason and Loveland. Have you ever seen the grand old station in Glendale, just waiting for a train to come by to pick up passengers?
    Why do I care?  Well, you know, the Cincinnati Reds have fans from all over the country, why should not the whole city? Just count me as one of them. I will be back again soon for my birthday and am looking forward to it. Cincinnatians should be proud of their city. It is one of the best-kept secrets in America.
    Finally, let me be fair to WLW, although I may not agree with a lot of the non-sports hosts have to say, I do listen from time to time, from Jim Scott to Willie and so on. I believe in hearing different points of view. The first two shows on Saturday morning I listen to the most because they are most likely to be talking about Cincinnati happenings. That is the Gary Jeff Walker show and yes, the Darryl Parks show, which is better when sensible Don is on.(Though I cannot listen tomorrow morning, as I am working.) When I turn off WLW it is when I get tired of hearing negative, negative, negative about Cincinnati. I turn off when I have heard the latest conservative talking points for the umpteenth time and callers of an opposing viewpoint belittled. I turn off when the humor sinks to sophomoric or prejudice limits. What would I like Mr. Parks do?  How about an opposing view point as a host of a show? I was a listener of 1360, the “Revolution of Talk Radio” now gone. How about putting on the Ed Schultz show? Wait. I do not think he likes you a whole lot. Bring back WLW fill in, Paul Hackett, as a full-timer. How about an African-American host full-time?  What WLW does best is its news department. They are some of the best newsreaders and reporters I have ever heard on radio. Mr. Parks do not mess with your station’s greatest asset.
    Lastly, do not worry Mr. Parks, I will be fair with my Stinkys. Someone like Hillary Clinton for example. When she pushes me far enough, and I am sure she will, I will give her a moldy taste treat also.  As you say, there is plenty of stink to go around.