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KATE’s Steve Oman let go after 27 years
Published Friday, August 21, 2009
A longtime fixture at KATE Radio in Albert Lea is no longer on the air.
After working at the local AM station either part-time or full-time since 1982, Steve Oman was told he no longer had a job at five minutes before 5 p.m. Aug. 14. Oman and Station Manager Bob Mithuen acknowledged the layoff had to do with the same news media cuts found across the nation.
“It’s kind of an industry trend to a point,” Oman said, “but it is also, and I mean this in a nice way, financial management of the company.”
He said Three Eagles Communications, which owns Albert Lea Radio, license holder of KATE-AM and KCPI-FM, has purchased too many stations and needs the revenue made from less staff to pay the debt. He said Three Eagles made cuts companywide. Syndicated shows have replaced live announcers.
“Automation is one way to save money,” he said.
Mithuen disagreed with Oman’s explanation, saying the weak economy is affecting the entire media industry. He said unfortunately it sometimes results in cutbacks with the on-air side of radio stations.
He gave a statement:
“Due to the downturn of both local, regional and national economies, our company, no different than others of its size, has been put into a situation to restructure and reorganize the staff and management of Three Eagles Communications and Albert Lea Radio. We wish Steve the very best in his future endeavors and take solace that if a position comes available to best use his time and talents, he would be available for bringing back.”
Oman, 59, was the news director for the station. Police knew him from visits in the mornings at the county courthouse to review police reports, which he read on the air during news segments. He interviewed local officials during his live afternoon show. His voice also was heard often on announcements of upcoming fundraisers and public events.
Two months ago, his afternoon show was cut in favor of a syndicated program based in the Twin Cities. He said he asked Mithuen if the show’s cancellation meant he would lose his job. Oman said he was told “‘No, we want to keep you here,’ then, boom, two months later, I’m gone.”
Mithuen declined to discuss the conversation, saying it was a private matter.
Oman said he had five minutes to clear out and didn’t get a chance to say farewell to staff or listeners.
“I really did enjoy working with the community. I met a lot of nice folks and made a lot of nice friends,” Oman said. “Hopefully, I can get back to doing something similar.”
He said live and local broadcasts draw a greater audience than syndicated feeds.
“He’s right,” Mithuen said. “Our company prides ourselves on live, local and relevant programming, and when possible, we exercise that as our company’s mission.”
He said the station will maintain its 70-year history of serving southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
“All of our associates are valued and it is very unfortunate we have to adjust our operation to the current economic times,” Mithuen said.
He noted the company that owns KIMT, a TV station in Mason City, Iowa, recently went through bankruptcy, and he pointed out a morning announcer was cut at KQPR, an FM station in Albert Lea.
Media of all sorts — from book publishers to wire services — are dealing with industry changes in technology, the economy and audience preferences. Newspapers get the most attention, but various companies such as McGraw-Hill, Univision and National Geographic have suffered job losses.
Being on the air for 27 years, Oman had become a household name in Albert Lea.
Oman worked for Three Eagles Communications for nine of those years at the station. He said he received no severance package. He has filed for unemployment and said he will look at what jobs are available.
“I’ve worked pretty much the past 20-some years in radio. That’s what I like doing, and that’s what I enjoy.”
Oman has a wife, Kari, and two daughters, Ajay, 14, and Cassie, 8.
“Life throws some strange curves at people, but you got to roll with the flow sometimes,” he said.
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Comments
Posted by 3trees (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's local radio continuing to show it's support of the local people first. How can you as a radio station want local business to support you when your programing is Twin City based. If I wanted to listen to them I would turn to their station.
Posted by ladybug (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will miss his great sense of humor on the radio. I really enjoyed listening to him. (It is too bad they didn't give him much notice).
Posted by justmealmn (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its to bad if they were going to use something syndicated that they couldn't of brought in some nice 50s-60s music to listen to in the afternoon rather then that junk of Garage Logic of two plus guys sitting around talking on air all afternoon. Soooo boring glad there are OTHER local stations one can tune into.
Posted by Pierre (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sad, sad story. Those making a decision like this have no idea how KATE and its LOCAL announcers are a important part of the community. Steve kept everyone in touch with what was going on in the community and welcomed anyone into the studio that wanted to promote their event, group etc.
Since they put on "Garbage Logic" in the afternoon, I have tuned away from KATE. Sadly, I usually forget to tune back in and KATE has lost me for more than just the afternoon slot.
Why have a twin cities station on in Albert Lea? Particularly a show that is already on another AM station(1170) that comes in clear as a bell?
Its too bad these small local stations are owned by companies that have many many stations. Someone who is not part of our community looks for easy fixes and make decisions with little regard to their employees or the community where the station is based.
Good Luck Steve. Maybe you can come back when the station is owned by someone that cares more about people and the community than saving a few bucks!
Posted by Boobsrgrr8 (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve Oman seems to be taking this well. Sounds to me like he wasn't treated very well. Anyone with 27 years of service should get some notice. 5 minutes to clear out? Mithuen sounds like a jerk to me.
Posted by lkfrancisr (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! Can that man make poo look like honey? I'd be spitting and sputtering. Too bad big companies think from the top down. I'm done listening to KATE.
Posted by Grumpus (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They've lost me as a listener for news and in the afternoon time. What's up with that Mithuen only giving Steve 5 minutes to leave?!
I'll switch to MPR. Best wishes Steve Oman!
Posted by Serafin (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with Wildbill... I will be switching to MPR.
Posted by ellen67 (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
don't forget there are two other radio stations in town that are locally owned. i listen to the fm classic rock all the time. they have "live" announcers and always keep the community informed on everything going on...plus they're funny. i believe in local owned business..they care more about the community than a corporate owned business. thats just my thought.
Posted by mankind (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with Wildbill also. Best of luck to you Steve. You will be missed.
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ellen67, there's nothing wrong with that.
Posted by truthshallprevail (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's unfortunate that KATE is owned by an uncaring company (Three Vultures, Inc. - I like that!). It would be nice if someone or a group of people would buy it back before it goes totally down the toilet. I only listen during severe storms or for winter cancellations... I could get that on the internet. It's a pretty sad situation. I understand that times are achangin', but KATE is not "local", except for Party Line (which has become all about advertising and not so much about people. Best wishes Steve!
Posted by Newshawk (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When I left Albert Lea in the 1980s, KATE still had a two-man news department. Unfortunately, the station has apparently gone the way of all A.M. stations - mostly satellite feeds of right-wing talk shows (and I'm a conserative). I can't imagine why a station can't be profitable with local news, sports and community information with a mixture of music. It's sad that A.M. radio has been formatted to the point of virtual irrelevance.
Posted by Adele (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ahhh....the memories. Not long ago JR was “let go”. Almost 6 years ago another long-time KATE/KCPI announcer was “let go”. The other Steve, Steph Helleksen was ushered out because of automation and money. He was lucky enough to have notice but wasn’t allowed to say anything about it. He was fortunate enough to get a job at thee local Hometown Broadcasting station (KQPR/KQAQ), which was improperly referred to by Mithune, finances had nothing to do with any staff changes at KQPR/KQAQ. This series of events were a blessing to our family and we haven’t looked back. Steve Oman is a well known and respected member of this community and I’m willing to bet he will find a great fit for himself and his family. As a vet he has endured more than a corporate radio company can dish out. Some day corporate America will realize PEOPLE matter and without people you have NOTHING.
Posted by Nehring (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All radio stations in my home will be set to MPR too. Last year they explained our local weather faster than KATE did while the sirens were sounding, during the night. All my life I'd depended on KATE for local news. That KATE is long gone.
Posted by Culture_Warrior (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve's a great guy. He deserved much better treatment than this.
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Having talked with former KATE employees, the station needs to be purchased away from 3Eagles and sold to someone who has a love for the broadcast industry as well as an understanding of the local market. A person who understands(as with WCCO radio and MPR) that on air personalities make a difference.
Posted by lessgov (Greg Flaskerud) on August 21, 2009 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will still continue to listen to Darrell am until Steve would have gotten on for the news at 10:10 (the old format). Yes, KATE has gone down hill. It is not our local radio station anymore. Good luck to you Steve. This is a very sad situation in this fast changing world.
Posted by Boobsrgrr8 (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am no longer listening to KATE and will tell all their sponsors that as well. Maybe if the sponsors pull the plug on them ,they will get the idea. ( I doubt it tho.) I don't know who I feel sorrier for, Steve or the ones left working for that no good outfit.
Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i will no longer be listening to kate radio either. what a rotten thing to do. give steve 5 minutes to get out and then not give him any kind of severence pay? how would you feel if that happened to you? that's just pathetic. good luck to you steve. hope you find something soon. what is mpr?
Posted by time2share (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with everybody here... I have always listened to KATE...Every morning I would listen to Darryl all the way to work in the morning and would listen to Steve in the afternoon. I have been turning to another station at 2:00 after getting sick of the GOP propaganda that Garage Logic has been dishing out. If I wanted to listen to that garbage I'd tune in to Rush. I guess I'll have to find another station to listen to.
Posted by movedon (anonymous) on August 21, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry to hear Steve was let go the way he was, that was cold. I haven't listened since I moved but I only remember him being as interesting as burnt toast. Nice to know he had a local following but alway thought he couldn't have made it in any other market but good ol Albert Lea.
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on August 22, 2009 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MPR is listener supported Minnesots Public Radio. movedon,KATE radio wouldn't make it in too many other markets.
Posted by aster67 (anonymous) on August 22, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SHAME ON YOU KATE RADIO! What a rotten thing to do to Steve. Who's going to be next? WOW 27 years and you treat him like dirt! I want to continue to support Darrell, Courtney, & Renae, but I hate knowing that I'm supporting such an awful association (3 Eagles) when I listen in. Good luck Steve.
Posted by leeleebelle (anonymous) on August 22, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve, so sorry to hear about the loss of your job, the way it was done and w/o any severance pay to boot! You will be missed; I hope you find another job ASAP. Mayhap the exact same thing will happen to the ones that let you go......and soon, too! I wish you the very best for you and your family!
Posted by DonJohnson (anonymous) on August 22, 2009 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is one I can not let go. I can not believe how gutless and classless the managment of KATE radio acted. They let a long standing voice go with 5 minutes to get out of the building. Steve is a stand up guy it sounds like he understands the decision and is living with it. Give him a last chance to go on the radio and say good by. I can't believe it he has been there for 27 years and they don't even let him sign off. How do they plan to represent Local stories and support with actions like that. Mithuen and 3 eales are perfect representation of a classles weak leader and should be removed from of KATE radio.
Posted by tinker (anonymous) on August 24, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve was a great person to listen to and you could tell he really cared about our town and the local people. It is too bad the people who own the radio station do not.
Posted by foodguy (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This maybe a good promo for Steve. To go with Don Johnson's, give his good byes from the other local station. What a great promo, this would also have KATE listeners tuning in to the other station to hear his farwell. Maybe increase their audience at the same time.
Posted by livewithoutsilence (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, Three Eagles has been trying to destroy KATE for some time. I spend a lot of time in St. Peter and they destroyed KRBI to the point where they sold it. Fortunately it has to get better when it goes back on. There is a way that the people of ALbert Lea can keep Three Eagles from ruining KATE completely. They are in the radio business for ONE thing, to make money,not to serve the people or the community. Since money is the driving force, I suggest we all boycott the advertisers on KATE. Make sure if you hear a commercial on KATE, stop in and tell the advertiser that you wont buy from them as long as they support KATE. When enough advertisers pull their money from KATE,maybe they will either listen and fix what they have ruined or sell it to someone who cares(not necessarily the owners of the other Albert Lea station either)but a real radio person. I own a business in the area and dont want my name associated with KATE any more, too bad for the people like Darrel who is still one of the best in spite of the owners.
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