Council evicting LPFM station from Port Arthur city hall: Where did this relationship go wrong?

[Steve Behrens]

Comments on Current's July 14 article Mayor to station: Free speech has its limits

[jack chatman]

I don't know where the relationship went wrong, but I do know I'm tired of having it on our agenda every meeting for over a year now. The Mayor went from total support of the station to wanting them gone, now think about that for yourself. If Mr. Mosley were not trying to protect the image of the City and his radio station he would come out with what is really going on that caused this drastic change of heart by the Mayor. I won't say because I only heard this, therefore I don't want to spread rumors. I do want to say "I am in favor of the station", I simply think if the council voted 8-1 to allow the station to use city property the one councilmember should accept it and lets move on. It seems the only way to get this over with is to go along with what ever the "ONE" councilmember is in favor of. And if I may mention, thats how most of our issues go around here, if you don't agree with this one councilmember things are done to circumvent the process anyway so that "ONE" will have their way. The situation could be solved if Mr. Mosley would let it all out or if this "ONE" person would let it go as the majority of council and the public has spoken.

[walter mosely]

Although I am very aware of the reasoning behind the so called change of mind of the council and it's leading member the mayor. I am not at liberty to say, but I can say that it is truly an abuse of power that we are witnessing here in the lowest form. My name is Walter Mosely, Jr. Stephen Mosely Is My older Brother. I can varify that the station was great for the city when it served their purpose of furthering their cause. I remember when the mayor and the council members had a weekly show each. But when power changed hands and the jester began ridiculing the king this became an outrage. I was an integral part of this station when it started, up until the hurricane hit in 2005. I remember broadcasting every 15 minutes the conditions of the weather and when and where to evacuate. My brother and I waited and broadcasted to the last possible minute to leave for fear of others not getting out safely for lack of information. So I know first hand the effects this station has on helping the people of the city of Port Arthur. Good information in a timely professional manner. More importantly this station gives a voice to the frustration we the citizens feel daily for the ongoing rhetoric and bull____ that these politicians put out just to get elected. It is a way to agree and disagree from a common base. I have listened, talked with, agreed and disagreed with these people on air and we all have come away from the discussion better for it. What radio does for the people and by the people is pull the blanket off the corrupt. If your doing somthing wrong some one sees it and tells it. To the mayor and the members of the city council I say to you today. Face your accusers let them hear your side of the argument, lay down your position for the the general public to ponder. The obligation is yours to except or deny these allegations and guess what this station is willing to give you airtime and the opportunity to do just that.

[john beard,jr.]

Although I'm late to this party, I'll give my 2 cents worth.

First, the City Manager was not on board with the idea of a city-sponsored,located radio station. He even delayed for 4 weeks implementing the council's desire to establish the station in the annex building's EDC vacated offices, prefering to let staff store 'boxes' instead. It took a stern admonishment from Council,giving the manager 2 weeks to comply,before he acted.

The Mayor is/was being less than honest as to her opposition. A review of the ordinances and resolutions of support for the station show solid support, until she began to feel the hear from citizens who questioned or challenged her behavior and her handling of city business. Though originally a regular fixture on the airwaves, she disapeared when confronted by questions she was unable to answer.Questions of "why doesn't the mayor have a show, or answer questions from citizens" was a common theme. Her response to the station was that she did not want her tax dollars being used to slam, or place her in a less than flattering light.

As to allegation that I spoke of her in disparaging ways, nothing is further from the truth. My show was about issues, not individuals; about people, their lives and how Council decisions affect them and their children. There is no room or time to dwell on the pecularities of individuals, when the greater need is to enlighten and educate.

The relocation issue was just a ruse ,and excuse to put the Breeze thru unnecessary hurdles, while waging a disinformation campaign to make contributors have second thoughts, and erode needed business and industrial support. They did not even allow the station to fully engage in tis mission ,thru non-support of its efforts.

It has become par for the course for the Mayor and others to clamp a gag-order on opinions, from setting a time limit on questions individual councilmembers ask, to censuring citizens who make comments on the mayor, et al,and issues of concern. There is no regard for fairness, truth or decorum, when Her Honor presides.

It is said that "truth crushed down to earth, will rise again;that a lie cannot live forever". The Breeze will return
to be the voice and heartbeat of Port Arthur.Stay tuned!