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 Through
the years, I never forgot my radio interests. I produced
a prerecorded “oldies” show for many years
on WUSJ, WLVL, WJJL in Niagara Falls as well as a live
oldies program on WBEN in Buffalo.
I also formed J.R. Reid Productions, a sound system/road
show business, which until recently provided entertainment
at various public functions. The business has had to
cease due to health reasons.
Most recently, I have returned to the air waves on WLVL
as an account
executive, weekday morning drive host and as the host
of the popular listener call-in program.
I reside with my wife Nancy (Creasey) and son Kyle in
the City of Lockport. Our daughter, Shelley, and grandchildren
Heather and Justin live in Lockport, and son Jay and
his wife Leslie reside in Auburn, New York.
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JR and son, Kyle, at WLVL.
I am currently the host of the daily early morning wake
up show on WLVL. I have always been an early riser,
but getting up at 3:30 AM has been a bit of a challenge,
but not unsurpassable. (Frankly, when you get to be
my age, you sometimes have to get up in the middle of
the night to take care of certain bodily functions anyway.
Now I just stay up!) I have noticed though, that unless
I can grab a power nap in the afternoon, that 9 p.m.
or so is about my limit.
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Because
of my schedule, I have had to back off of some civic
involvement, but I still remain involved. My participation
in the political arena actually began shortly before
my retirement from the Sheriff’s Department in
1989. I was asked by the “powers to be” to
run for County Legislature. My interests were not there
at the time, but I became actively involved in the Republican
Committee.
Eventually, I rose to the City Committee Chairmanship
and then to the Vice-Chairmanship of the County Committee.
I became the acting County Chairman following the passing
of Chairman Floyd Snyder, but I did not seek election
to the post. I ran unsuccessfully for the 5th Ward Alderman
in 1991 and lost by 30 votes to a popular incumbent.
Four years later I ran and won by a 67% margin. I was
also Council President, Finance Chairman and served
on numerous Lockport committees.
It was a tremendous experience! I only wish that EVERYONE
could serve in such a capacity at least once in their
lives to see just how it actually works. I lost my reelection
bid by a 35 vote margin. I serve on numerous boards
in Lockport. I am not as active politically as I once
was and I have no immediate plans of seeking office
at this time.
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I am a founding board member of the Buffalo Broadcasting
Pioneers and serve as Vice President for the organization.
Our future goal is to build a Western New York Radio-TV
museum. It is great to be able to share stories and experiences
with other members, who are the radio personalities that
shaped the Buffalo area broadcasting over the years.
I have truly adopted Lockport as my hometown. I feel most
of the residents have accepted me as their own. I am grateful.
I have met so many over the years that have meant so much
to me. It’s hard to highlight only a few. The late
Rollin T. Grant, a statesman, gentleman, and friend. I
had a chance to sit and talk with the former Mayor for
hours a few months before his death. I will remember it
always. This man stood by me more times than I can recall.
He will be missed.
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Ted Darling was a fellow broadcaster and another out of
towner who was adopted by this community. He was a business
partner of mine and a true friend as well. He was taken
from us all at too young of an age. Shortly before Ted’s
death, when Alzheimer's had taken most of his speech,
he was visiting his daughter, who lived across from the
hospital. Ted overheard his wife and daughter discussing
the fact that I was in the hospital. He bolted from the
house, ran across the street and somehow found my room.
He came in and sat with me for several hours. He never
said a word. His wife finally found him with me. That
was a true friend. He is missed.
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Also Bill Hall, not a close friend, but did you know
he used to be a dealer in Vegas? His card handling and
tricks would astonish even the most accomplished. One
summer my wife and I were vacationing in Alexandria
Bay. We were looking at the water at the end of one
of the docks, when I felt a tap on the shoulder. It
was Bill Hall. He had flown in for the weekend, saw
us and came up just to say, “Hello”. He too
is missed.
I also remember the old bearded man who came into Lockport
and painted all the murals in the store windows up and
down Main Street around Christmas time in the 60’s.
I wonder where is he now? {Thanks to web site viewers,
the artist is believed to be identified as one Cedric
Van Rolleston.}
I
have fond memories of the Lockport where you could shop
and cruise Main Street. It was bustling with people!
It was THE place to be! Then came Urban Renewal AND
the Mall AND the Transit strip. Lockport has really
changed. TOO BAD! If a million dollars was dropped into
the city coffers (and that really isn't a lot in this
day and age), and it could be used for anything at all,
I’d love to see a center mall down Main Street
with small trees. We could then do everything possible
to bring back Main Street to the way it was. A dream,
perhaps, but wouldn't it be great!
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