[grc] Jeremy at WAZU could use some CR solidarity

[Ursula Ruedenberg]

Jeremy Styninger of WAZU in Peoria could use some communication with
like-minded people.

Jeremy applied for a license for community radio in Peoria Illinois in
March 1998. He received a permit in 2007. Why did it take so long? You
guessed it, he first had to face down & pay to fight a petition to deny by
a religious broadcast network.

Having done that, Jeremy faced a much bigger problem - isolation. I got to
know him as he searched for others in Peoria to do community radio with. It
was a tough sell in a tough town. Finally, a partnership was crafted with
Illinois Central College and WAZU went on the air in 2010.

Establishing community radio has been VERY slow going and Jeremy has always
continued to suffer from lack of a like-minded team as he managed the
station and tried to build vision. This can be wearing. Having built a
station in Iowa has taught me about the wear and tear of introducing such
vision to the cold tired eye of areas void of community radio tradition.
And in an affluent town in Iowa, I have had it easier than Jeremy did in
Peoria.

Recently, Illinois Central College moved on and ended their partnership
with WAZU. Jeremy is now faced with waning funds and health. He still
intuitively carries on the mission but in fact has been forced by waning
resources to face the heart-wrenching choice between the dream and
investment in community radio and his own safety and welfare.

Jeremy is at : styninger at gmail.com. He could use some emails.

 He is one of us. We all know the difficulties, the personal cost that can
happen.  As Jeremy makes hard decisions in the weeks to come, he should be
in contact with smart like-minds and any help that might be available as
seen fit. (And of course if you know of someone with energy and the desire
to go to Peoria please contact him immediately!!)

Thanks -
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Central_College>
-- 
Ursula Ruedenberg
Pacifica Affiliate Network Manager
510-812-7989
pacificanetwork.org

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