By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
CONNEAUT — Veteran newsman and radio personality Pat Williams is trading radio for television, according to reports.
Williams, news director and talk show host at WWOW radio in Conneaut, has left the station to host a talk show that begins next week on the city’s local government-access Channel 6, he said Tuesday.
The TV show, a new venture of the Conneaut Telephone Co., debuts at 7 a.m. Monday, Williams said.
His last radio show was Tuesday morning, the same day he announced his departure in response to a caller’s question. Williams originally thought he would be working through the end of the week, he said.
“I’m leaving on friendly terms (with the station),” Williams said. “It’s been a great experience, and I’m going to miss it.”
Williams submitted his notice after he was told by station management to tone down the content of his show, which had served as a sounding board for residents upset with city and school officials. Rather than dilute the content, Williams stepped down, he said.
“It was a matter of freedom of speech,” he said.
Station management could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Williams has worked nearly 40 years in the news industry, the last four as WWOW news director. He has hosted the talk show for three years.
Some callers and comments heard on the show were negative, but the program also did a lot of good, Williams said.
“(Last week) we raised $10,000 for Save Our Sports,” he said. “It showed our little show still had some clout.”
WWOW was purchased by Cause Plus Marketing in December 2006, which immediately launched Catholic-themed programming. A faith-based talk show is expected to replace Williams’ program.
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