THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601250005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Along with many others in Hampton Roads, I am very upset by the recent firing of Duane Harding by WTKR-TV Channel 3.
Dr. Duane, as he is affectionately known in his area, holds a Ph.D. in meteorology and is an outstanding weather reporter. Let's show these out-of-town managers at Channel 3 that we locals know what's best for our TV market - and it's certainly not them.
I have changed my news (and commercial) viewing habits from Channel 3 to either Channel 10 or 13 (they are both excellent). Let Channel 3 watch its ratings slide from second to third place once again and advertisers change their marketing strategies to ensure they get their money's worth. Maybe then the so-called managers will appreciate the many contributions Dr. Duane has made to this community and offer to hire him back (that is, if he would go back after the slap in the face he received).
JOHN O. PARMELE JR.
Virginia Beach, Jan. 18, 1996
I am heartened to see the outpouring of support for meteorologist Dr. Duane Harding and corresponding resentment toward WTKR-TV by readers of The Virginian-Pilot. I would like to add one other observation to the list of reasons already cited concerning Channel 3's huge tactical error in dismissing Dr. Duane.
When it was announced several months ago that the New York Times Co. had purchased WTKR, published reports quoted observers as being of the opinion that this transaction was a great opportunity since The New York Times is a ``class'' organization that would surely spare no expense in making everything wonderful at Channel 3.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall at the meetings where Dr. Duane's fate was decided to observe the obtuse form of logic employed by the leaders of this so-called class organization in concluding that the classiest weatherman around (I'd stack him up against any local weather broadcaster in the country in terms of knowledge, accuracy, integrity and ``let's cut the you-know-what'' approach to his on-air delivery) wasn't right for this market. My only hope is one of the other local news organizations will act quickly and keep Dr. Duane in Hampton Roads.
By the way, I'm one of those young people that WTKR hopes to attract with its ``chiclet-toothed smoothies'' (with apologies to columnist Larry Maddry).
MIKE FREMAUX
Newport News, Jan. 21, 1996
For many viewers at 6 o'clock, Dr. Duane Harding's weather reports on WTKR's Channel 3 have been the centerprice of this Hampton Roads newscast. Dr. Duane conveys the impression of being a real person rather than a mere image.
He knows his meteorology. He is aware that plants as well as computers have a place on the planet. He combines forecasting with educating his viewers about the underlying import of meteorological phenomena. He sets a fine standard for accurate, well-enunciated English. Articulate. Gentlemanly. Humorous.
In times of weather emergencies, Dr. Duane has been a reassuring and helpful voice for all of Hampton Roads. He has been a welcome TV presence in our home. The abrupt manner of his dismissal seems an instance of callousness which will no doubt enhance feelings of loyalty and good will among the remaining employees of Channel 3.
Our household has been decadeslong readers of The New York Times, the current owner of WTKR. One wonders whether Big Brother up in New York knows how Little Brother is behaving down here in Virginia and whether such behavior casts a faint shadow on the image of The Times.
We have always enjoyed the newscasters on Channel 3. But, for what it's worth, this most recent foray into the wonderful world of image-making has probably cost WTKR at least two viewers.
ARTHUR A. MacCONOCHIE
Norfolk, Jan. 18, 1996
I just can't believe what WTKR-TV did to Dr. Duane.
I know he's hurt.
Why is it when some people get older, their bosses don't think they can do their job even though they are better at it?
The two WTKR-TV got to take Dr. Duane's place don't constitute half of what he is.
I'm sure lots of people will be upset by Dr. Duane's dismissal - and they should be.
MRS. R. E. LEE
Virginia Beach, Jan. 18, 1996 by CNB