Seven Local Issues We'll Keep on HurricaneRadio

Don't get it twisted: Hurricaneradio.net is not gonna be your local yokel radio station.

This is, after all, the Internet, and we're going big, or we're going home. Our server is located in the UK, with another in New Zealand. We will have DJs from all over the world late at night playing their music. Our broadband capabilities are endless. We have the potential to have hundreds of thousands of listeners from all over the country and the world. Whether we get to that level remains to be seen, but we're either going to do it or die trying.

There are going to be a certain number of issues, though, that really resonate locally that we'll be talking about often, because I think these seven things we'll talk about can be used, applied, or discussed everywhere. Certainly, our target base in our initial wave of listeners will come from my old audience at WSAR, and an element of the show will be kept to keep them constantly entertained. It's the yin and yang, not too much and not too little. We've got to find the perfect balance among local, national, and international topics.

Here are seven issues for the hometown audience that will definitely be talked about on Hurricaneradio.net. Here they are in no particular order:

1. Neglect of historic property - Our history is a huge part of the mix for our city. It's critical to our arts and entertainment district, our culture, our economic development, and our viability in the tourism market. One of the true charms and wonders of Fall River is its history and historic buildings, and regardless of the economic situation or ownership issues, they need to be maintained at a certain standard. This is currently not happening, and one of the biggest examples is what is happening to the Abbey Grill (the Central Congregational Church). I walk by there everyday. What was once a beautifully unique and classic structure is now a run-down mess, from the falling steeple to the weeds that are four-feet high growing out of its foundation. Something needs to be done and done soon. What is more troubling to me is that a bank owns this property, and they should have the resources to maintain a certain standard. We need to protect our historic buildings and properties. All of them.

2. Trash - There are certain parts of this city that are filthy. Trash and litter are everywhere. We talk about saving neighborhoods, but it starts with the little things and the quality of life issues like cleanliness and order. All you have to do is take a walk around Fall River and see how much trash there is, from broken TVs and abandoned couches to old tires and broken down toys. It's everywhere, and it needs to be addressed. We can't expect people to come to our city, spend their money, and enjoy themselves if they have to drive through a trash heap to get here. Quality life issues like this are critical, and their collective worth are important to a city's sustenance.

3. Hodgson has to go - It is no secret why I left WSAR. After my latest interview with Tom Hodgson, things between myself and management just became irreparable. From the first day I got behind the mic at WSAR for "The Highway Home," I constantly called out "Hardtime" Hodgson, and I will continue to do it. He is a charming, bright, articulate man with incredible instincts on the campaign trail and his dealings with the media. With that said, he shouldn't be sherriff of Bristol County. He has an archaic view of crime and punishment. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to keep County short-term inmates locked in the cage for 24 hours a day. An embarrassing amount of his virtually unlimited resources is spent on rehabilitative programs. I would much rather see an inmate in some type of job training, substance abuse counseling, or educational program at least 3-4 hours out of a 24-hour day. It would be refreshing to read about hiring more teachers and drug counselors than giving away $90,000 a year political hack jobs in his upper administration. His correctional officers work in fear of him and his vindictive ways and he treats, houses, and feeds the inmates inhumanely. It is supposed to be a rehabilitative and correctional facility, but there isn't much of that going on at all.

4. Eminent domain issues - The city should start to aggressively go after certain properties that are critical to its economic development and long-term vision. One property that comes to mind is the Regatta on Davol Street. If ever there were an eyesore on a beautiful piece of real estate, it is the Regatta. A signature restaurant is critical to any plans to redevelop the waterfront, and the city should have a say on who goes there. Also, I will like to see the city acquire a couple of buildings downtown and possibly recruit a major retail store to locate there.

5. PR directors for public schools - There is no doubt in my mind that the Fall River Public Schools are headed in the right direction from an educational standpoint under the direction of Superintendent Meg Mayo Brown. Many of my friends and peers are teachers, and the conversations that we have about what's going on in classrooms throughout the city is very positive and upbeat. Lots of resources are being spent, and there are some wonderful opportunities in the school system. Most importantly, there are hard-working and dedicated teachers. However, there is a certain element of our population that their parents are scared to death to send their children to public schools. That perception is false, but we all know what they say about perception - at times, it can turn into reality. This is a direct result of a lot of the negative press the schools have received in our local newspaper. All too often, the headlines are about a fight, conflict, or some low test scores, or some inappropriate conduct. For every bad thing that is happening and publicized, there are ten good things that go unnoticed. Once a city's populace loses faith in the public schools, there is no hope. That's why the Fall River Public Schools should hire a PR firm soon. All too often it's the bad stories that get told.

6. A balanced focused, business approach - The city, over the last few years, has spent a great deal of time, energy, effort, and resources in chasing the home run ball when it comes to its business plan. The biopark and the casino are perfect examples of this. While I believe both would be good for the city, there are elements to all those deals that are beyond our control and may not happen regardless of our work and attention. There are some fantastic local businesses that employ lots of people at good wages. We need to provide them with better services and provide a better incubator for their growth and development. Local companies such as DEG, Meganet, and Carl's Collision employ lots of people at good wages, and businesses like these should be helped out by any means necessary.

7. Urban planning - Last, but certainly not least, urban planning is crucial to any development. This city has a long history of making tragic mistakes. From the construction of Government Center, to the covering of the Quequechan River, the construction of the new Durfee High School, and, most recently, the placement of the downtown court house. These mistakes that have been made in the past cannot be repeated. We have some critical projects that are being developed, and important decisions need to be made. We cannot repeat the mistakes of our past. Decisions need to be thought out long and hard to make sure of that.

So there ya go - seven things that we will be talking about, despite the fact that we are now an Internet radio station with a potential worldwide audience. Like most things in life, it's about the right mix, the yin and the yang, the quest for the perfect balance, a balance of local, regional, national, and international topics, discussions, and opinions. As I said before, it's go big or go home at HurricaneRadio. But we will never, ever forget from where we came. That's a promise.