Letters policy

The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and should include a name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Send letters by noon on Thursdays to P.O. Box 670, Athens, Ala., 35613, or e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com.

A way to honor Bob Dunnavant

Dear Editor:

On April 5, local radio lost a legend with the passing of Bob Dunnavant Sr.

His two radio stations, WJMW-AM and WJOF-FM brought the community vital news information from around the community and the state. The two stations were especially helpful the night the tornadoes of April 3, 1974 with constant weather warnings and the King Country Rover news van updating on the damage saving many lives that night.

When WJOW became Top 40 station WZYP in the late 1970s, many continued listening to the popular music of the day. WZYP not only continues Dunnavant’s tradition of live local radio news, but also community service involvement with the annual Christmas Bikes or Bust and the Relay for Life walk. By reading the guestbook in the online obituary section, I could tell that Mr. Dunnavant really cared about the listeners in the community.

WZYP has the chance to be a community service to the thousands of teen and young adult listeners on a weekly basis. Recently, a syndicated live call-in radio show for teens and young adults under 25 began broadcasting out of Nashville on top 40 stations across the country called Dawson McAllister Live. These young callers talk to Dawson for advice about personal issues, such as dating, drug abuse, cutting, and suicide. Callers are then directed to an off-air Hopeline for extra counseling in a safe, faith based environment.

This show is a nice change from the corporate music filled with sexual lyrics, shock tactics, political bickering and deejays piped in from other cities into a computer who have no idea what is going on in the community. Dawson might not be able to tell us what is going on at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo or Athens High Football like Bob did. However, Dawson might be able to talk to a teen out of committing suicide and maybe commit their life to Christ through the off-air Hopeline.

I hope WZYP will consider airing Dawson McAllister Live on Sunday nights as a way of honoring Mr. Dunnavant and his involvement in the community. This way, the youthful listeners of WZYP can have someone to talk to and help solve their problems so that they can become productive adults in this community like the Dunnavant family. May Bob rest in peace and I hope for the continued success of WZYP and WVNN, along with WUMP and WHRP.

Sincerely,