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Clear Channel Engineer fired in Wake of Katrina

M

mikebatchelor

Guest
I found this on Stlmedia.net. If this is true, Clear Channel's treatment of Mr. Buffaloe was reprehensible. The SBE website pretty much confirms his situation, although Mr. Buffaloe chose not to dwell on his firing in an email that was printed on the site. Fired for not getting two hurricane ravaged signals back on within a few hours.

Here is the post from the site:

Is this true? This was received thru the STLMedia Secret Squirrel Rumor Wheel...

"My friend John quit his job as chief engineer at Jefferson Pilot in SanDiego about six months ago and took a "dream" job working for ClearChannel in New Orleans. He and his wife Annette LOVE(D) New Orleans...and always wanted to retire there. John evacuated to Jackson, Mississippi during the hurricane. Here's an email I got from him the other day:"

Hey all, I can't make this too long because I'm running on battery power. I'm in Jackson and Annette is in Memphis. I haven't talked to her in three days, so she doesn't know anything you're about to read.

Our house, as far as I can tell from a helicopter, survived, but there is probably unseen damage. I flew in to New Orleans yesterday to try to get a couple of my radio stations on the air. I didn't quite get it all done in the three hours I had, so I was fired by Clear Channel Communications last night.

With the looting that's certain to occur, I believe our house and its contents are basically lost. It will be at least three months before I can get in to assess damage, and it won't be habitable by then as it will likely be full of rats and snakes.

As bad as all of this sounds, I'm still alive, I'm not in New Orleans, and all I've lost is stuff.

I still have my talents and abilities and intelligence, and even though Annette and I have lost our lifestyle we so much wanted to live, we haven't lost our lives.

We will most likely start up a new, spartan life in Memphis, and hopefully I can find some kind of work, but I may be done with radio. We'll see. I did manage to save two of my favorite guitars, one amp, and Annette's portfolio of negatives, along with a few electronic gizmos.

Please feel free to share this email with whomever you have on your list that may be interested. I can still be reached at this address, but I will have no cell phone for awhile until I can figure out my next step in what will be a long and difficult process. My best to you all. I'll be in touch.

John Buffaloe
 
> I found this on Stlmedia.net. If this is true, Clear
> Channel's treatment of Mr. Buffaloe was reprehensible. The
> SBE website pretty much confirms his situation, although Mr.
> Buffaloe chose not to dwell on his firing in an email that
> was printed on the site. Fired for not getting two hurricane
> ravaged signals back on within a few hours.
>
> Here is the post from the site:
>
> Is this true? This was received thru the STLMedia Secret
> Squirrel Rumor Wheel...
>
> "My friend John quit his job as chief engineer at Jefferson
> Pilot in SanDiego about six months ago and took a "dream"
> job working for ClearChannel in New Orleans. He and his wife
> Annette LOVE(D) New Orleans...and always wanted to retire
> there. John evacuated to Jackson, Mississippi during the
> hurricane. Here's an email I got from him the other day:"
>
> Hey all, I can't make this too long because I'm running on
> battery power. I'm in Jackson and Annette is in Memphis. I
> haven't talked to her in three days, so she doesn't know
> anything you're about to read.
>
> Our house, as far as I can tell from a helicopter, survived,
> but there is probably unseen damage. I flew in to New
> Orleans yesterday to try to get a couple of my radio
> stations on the air. I didn't quite get it all done in the
> three hours I had, so I was fired by Clear Channel
> Communications last night.
>
> With the looting that's certain to occur, I believe our
> house and its contents are basically lost. It will be at
> least three months before I can get in to assess damage, and
> it won't be habitable by then as it will likely be full of
> rats and snakes.
>
> As bad as all of this sounds, I'm still alive, I'm not in
> New Orleans, and all I've lost is stuff.
>
> I still have my talents and abilities and intelligence, and
> even though Annette and I have lost our lifestyle we so much
> wanted to live, we haven't lost our lives.
>
> We will most likely start up a new, spartan life in Memphis,
> and hopefully I can find some kind of work, but I may be
> done with radio. We'll see. I did manage to save two of my
> favorite guitars, one amp, and Annette's portfolio of
> negatives, along with a few electronic gizmos.
>
> Please feel free to share this email with whomever you have
> on your list that may be interested. I can still be reached
> at this address, but I will have no cell phone for awhile
> until I can figure out my next step in what will be a long
> and difficult process. My best to you all. I'll be in touch.
>
>
> John Buffaloe
>
This is so Clear Channel to fire someone for not repairing in three hours what it took the storm to tear down in seconds. Clear Channel sucks!!!!!!!!!
Good luck to you! The first thing you should do is call Jefferson Pilot and tell them that you are available.
 
> This is so Clear Channel to fire someone for not repairing
> in three hours what it took the storm to tear down in
> seconds. Clear Channel sucks!!!!!!!!!

Also, at that point, since CC already has other transmitters back on line carrying WWL's storm news. it would've been pointless to put the stations back on line, other than to provide backup for the others.

Either during emergencies liked this, CC's corporate suits only thinks for themselves, not others.
 
Folks,

Remember that there is always another side to any story. I believe CC was wrong to fire me, and they believed they were right. The reality is that I no longer work there by their choice. That doesn't mean my career is finished or that I'm ruined. There are many more less fortunate people whose circumstances are much more difficult than mine. Let's not turn this into a CC bashing. It's pointless. I intend to move on with my life and I'll be fine. Let's worry about all the folks that have lost everything and have no future to look forward to. Make a donation to the Red Cross. I have.

Thank you for your concern for me. Be more concerned for the others.

Thank you.

John BUffaloe
 
> Folks,
>
> Remember that there is always another side to any story. I
> believe CC was wrong to fire me, and they believed they were
> right. The reality is that I no longer work there by their
> choice. That doesn't mean my career is finished or that I'm
> ruined. There are many more less fortunate people whose
> circumstances are much more difficult than mine. Let's not
> turn this into a CC bashing. It's pointless. I intend to
> move on with my life and I'll be fine. Let's worry about
> all the folks that have lost everything and have no future
> to look forward to. Make a donation to the Red Cross. I
> have.
>
> Thank you for your concern for me. Be more concerned for the
> others.
>
> Thank you.
>
> John BUffaloe

If this IS John, you already replied to this on the Broadcast list...
but John, (or whoever this is), others have been fired by CC and had their career ruined by those who should have been fired! (I know of one GM/MM who fired an engineer and a slanderous/libel statement was made...but by the time said engineer found a lawyer who would take the case, the statue of limitations ran out; otherwise said engineer would be rich and possibly owning half of CC...now? Even though others can attest to his real reputation, a job offer was later withdrawn after the slander statement made its way to the offerer....and the GM who was responsible??? He is now a RVP in CC....after he allowed a PD who was his 'bud' sexually harrass a APD at same station...and there were allegations of plugola/payola by the same PD...and said GM tanked their #1 and #3 stations in the market...yeah CC is real good!!)
 
> > Folks,
> >
> > Remember that there is always another side to any story.
> I
> > believe CC was wrong to fire me, and they believed they
> were
> > right. The reality is that I no longer work there by
> their
> > choice. That doesn't mean my career is finished or that
> I'm
> > ruined. There are many more less fortunate people whose
> > circumstances are much more difficult than mine. Let's
> not
> > turn this into a CC bashing. It's pointless. I intend to
>
> > move on with my life and I'll be fine. Let's worry about
> > all the folks that have lost everything and have no future
>
> > to look forward to. Make a donation to the Red Cross. I
> > have.
> >
> > Thank you for your concern for me. Be more concerned for
> the
> > others.
> >
> > Thank you.
> >
> > John BUffaloe
>
> If this IS John, you already replied to this on the
> Broadcast list...
> but John, (or whoever this is), others have been fired by CC
> and had their career ruined by those who should have been
> fired! (I know of one GM/MM who fired an engineer and a
> slanderous/libel statement was made...but by the time said
> engineer found a lawyer who would take the case, the statue
> of limitations ran out; otherwise said engineer would be
> rich and possibly owning half of CC...now? Even though
> others can attest to his real reputation, a job offer was
> later withdrawn after the slander statement made its way to
> the offerer....and the GM who was responsible??? He is now a
> RVP in CC....after he allowed a PD who was his 'bud'
> sexually harrass a APD at same station...and there were
> allegations of plugola/payola by the same PD...and said GM
> tanked their #1 and #3 stations in the market...yeah CC is
> real good!!)
>

It would be very unfortunate if John was let go for not being able to get back up in three hours. If that's the case, appearently there are some suits that are uneducated on how radio really works. I have been around some management from time to time on contract jobs that stand over you when trying to get them back on the air, asking how long it will take. As broadcast engineers, we must continue to try to re-educate managment on what we actually do for living and what is reasonable to assume we are capable of.

I had planned on making a post before I heard of the reason for John's departure from NOLA-CC stating how I was proud of them for doing the right thing with the United Radio broadcasts. Even though they appearently made a very poor decision with engineering, I will have to say this. Cooperatively opening their studios to the Big One WWL to get the information makes me re-think my opinion of that corporation's commitment to public service. In the past, from other events, I have had a rather poor opinion of CC for their lack of involvement when help is needed, many times due to the lack of staff to execute dissimanting information to the public. In this event with WWL's help, they have provided a lifeline to the public that is unpresidented. The job you guys are doing at Entercom and Clear Channel down there is STELLAR! CC and Entercom/WWL has proven once again what radio is all about, providing public service! THANK YOU! Thank you for providing the citizens of the affected area with information they have to have, and keeping all the rest of us up-to-date with what is really happening down there on the Big 870!
 
> > > Folks,
> > >
> > > Remember that there is always another side to any story.
>
> > I
> > > believe CC was wrong to fire me, and they believed they
> > were
> > > right. The reality is that I no longer work there by
> > their
> > > choice. That doesn't mean my career is finished or that
>
> > I'm
> > > ruined. There are many more less fortunate people whose
>
> > > circumstances are much more difficult than mine. Let's
> > not
> > > turn this into a CC bashing. It's pointless. I intend
> to
> >
> > > move on with my life and I'll be fine. Let's worry
> about
> > > all the folks that have lost everything and have no
> future
> >
> > > to look forward to. Make a donation to the Red Cross.
> I
> > > have.
> > >
> > > Thank you for your concern for me. Be more concerned for
>
> > the
> > > others.
> > >
> > > Thank you.
> > >
> > > John BUffaloe
> >
> > If this IS John, you already replied to this on the
> > Broadcast list...
> > but John, (or whoever this is), others have been fired by
> CC
> > and had their career ruined by those who should have been
> > fired! (I know of one GM/MM who fired an engineer and a
> > slanderous/libel statement was made...but by the time said
>
> > engineer found a lawyer who would take the case, the
> statue
> > of limitations ran out; otherwise said engineer would be
> > rich and possibly owning half of CC...now? Even though
> > others can attest to his real reputation, a job offer was
> > later withdrawn after the slander statement made its way
> to
> > the offerer....and the GM who was responsible??? He is now
> a
> > RVP in CC....after he allowed a PD who was his 'bud'
> > sexually harrass a APD at same station...and there were
> > allegations of plugola/payola by the same PD...and said GM
>
> > tanked their #1 and #3 stations in the market...yeah CC is
>
> > real good!!)
> >
>
> It would be very unfortunate if John was let go for not
> being able to get back up in three hours. If that's the
> case, appearently there are some suits that are uneducated
> on how radio really works. I have been around some
> management from time to time on contract jobs that stand
> over you when trying to get them back on the air, asking how
> long it will take. As broadcast engineers, we must continue
> to try to re-educate managment on what we actually do for
> living and what is reasonable to assume we are capable of.
>
>
> I had planned on making a post before I heard of the reason
> for John's departure from NOLA-CC stating how I was proud of
> them for doing the right thing with the United Radio
> broadcasts. Even though they appearently made a very poor
> decision with engineering, I will have to say this.
> Cooperatively opening their studios to the Big One WWL to
> get the information makes me re-think my opinion of that
> corporation's commitment to public service. In the past,
> from other events, I have had a rather poor opinion of CC
> for their lack of involvement when help is needed, many
> times due to the lack of staff to execute dissimanting
> information to the public. In this event with WWL's help,
> they have provided a lifeline to the public that is
> unpresidented. The job you guys are doing at Entercom and
> Clear Channel down there is STELLAR! CC and Entercom/WWL
> has proven once again what radio is all about, providing
> public service! THANK YOU! Thank you for providing the
> citizens of the affected area with information they have to
> have, and keeping all the rest of us up-to-date with what is
> really happening down there on the Big 870!
>


First of all I thought it was classy for John to come on and say what is important... the people who have nothing.

Second, why is everyone jumping to conclusions before they have any knowledge? You all (except for John) are all running on rumor and second or third hand knowledge!
 
Would Clear Channel's side of the story state that you weren't given permission to evacuate? I ask because I was once part of a station that was on the outside edge of a storm and was reprimanded for leaving with my family instead of staying, even though I didn't miss any work. Apparently, with them at least, everyone stays and works the storm.

I would have left New Orleans myself, with or without permission. You can always find another job. You can't always survive a storm.
<P ID="signature">______________
Crescent City Radio Connection
Zephyr Radio</P>
 
What about everyone who did their job?

I have read stories about private contractors climbing 40 stories to get radio towers back up. The struggles of those trying to get stations back on air so people in the areas can get emergency information in the face of this national disaster. I figured there would be the one story about the guy who didn't do what he was hired to do and he would pass the blame. Figures they come from Southern California and Jefferson Pilot to boot.

Im not too sure where you only had 3 hours to fix the stations...seems to me that a week after the storm your in a chopper surveying your property damadge, but not servicing the community and getting your stations back on air. Now, Im sorry you lost personal belongings, but in radio you are a public servant, your #1 priority after making sure your family was alive is to get those stations on-air. Over a week, plus 3 hours later you still did not accomplish this. Thats the bottom line. While you were inconvienenced, alot of other people had it worse, and needed those stations to let them know what is going on in the world. Again, you lost alot, Im sorry, but that still does not excuse you from your duties.

Im guessing in an area like Lousiana they need there men to be tough good old boys who will go out in tough conditions and get the job done. No excuses. It doesnt seem like you did that. The moment the rains stopped, you could have gotten into the area and had your stations back on-line. Yes it would be near impossible because of 10,000 reasons. But that is why you were hired, to be the guy who would overcome all the reasons why it couldnt be done. Thats why you get the big bucks. Again, you are a public servent, and the time when the public needed you most, you did not perform. This was the time when you should have stepped up your game, had the helicopter take you to the area CC and the public needed you. You didn't do that. CC was in the right to let you go.

Maybe at JPSD you didnt have to deal with adverse weather situations, I don't know. Only thing I know about JPSD is that it the mecca of CC bashers. So to read this from an ex-employee of JPSD doesn't surprise me. Maybe the next time you will do your job and leave no room for excuses. Sorry you lost your home and job, but you still have a resume, I might suggest only applying for positions where you wont be called on to go that extra mile. Especially in the face of disaster when people need help the most.

Kudos to those that braved the conditions and did what it took to get and keep stations on the air so the good people of New Orleans could get information about what to do in the aftermath in Katrina.
 
>
> First of all I thought it was classy for John to come on and
> say what is important... the people who have nothing.
>
> Second, why is everyone jumping to conclusions before they
> have any knowledge? You all (except for John) are all
> running on rumor and second or third hand knowledge!
>
Thank you.

I will not be baited into a pissing contest on this matter. The only thing I will clarify for BigHerm is that I was on the ground in New Orleans at both the transmitter site for WYLD-FM/WQUE and the studios on Howard Ave. the day after the storm. Not a week later. Both stations were on the air when I left, and that's a verifiable fact. I don't know what you have against Jeff Pilot or CA for that matter, but I recognize my responsibility to the public having done this for 30 years.

BigHerm's post is exactly the kind of nonsense that comes from rumor and speculation and appears to be nothing more than an ad hominum attack on my character.

John Buffaloe
 
Re: What about everyone who did their job?

Big talk from Big Herm. Do you realize what an ass you've made
yourself out to be. Red Neck cliche deluxe. You wouldn't
want to throw that smack around directly out here in Southern
California, we've worked with Buffaloe and know how dedicated
he is. You are a piece of crap.
 
Re: What about everyone who did their job?

BigHerm is throwing barbs out to someone based on pure speculation. He knows nothing of the real situation, no doubt. I can assure anyone who reads this board that anyone having his attitude and (lack of) perspective is not anyone who amounts to very much in the radio industry.
 
Maybe getting the CC treatment like that is the best thing that could have happened to you. At least now you don't have to work with ****heads. You are fortunate that an incident early in your employment forced them into showing their true colors.

Let's this incident be a warning to those who have recently taken jobs with CC at the station or regional level. The national suits have the attitude shown here. It doesn't matter if you've spent 20 years with them, they'll toss you out the back door like garbage with no benefits if they can get away with it, and laugh about it at the bars as they swap stories. They don't care AT ALL.
 
> Thank you.
>
> I will not be baited into a pissing contest on this matter.
> The only thing I will clarify for BigHerm is that I was on
> the ground in New Orleans at both the transmitter site for
> WYLD-FM/WQUE and the studios on Howard Ave. the day after
> the storm. Not a week later. Both stations were on the air
> when I left, and that's a verifiable fact. I don't know
> what you have against Jeff Pilot or CA for that matter, but
> I recognize my responsibility to the public having done this
> for 30 years.
>
> BigHerm's post is exactly the kind of nonsense that comes
> from rumor and speculation and appears to be nothing more
> than an ad hominum attack on my character.
>
> John Buffaloe
>


In further support of Mr. Buffaloe:

I have had a single occasion to deal with him. OOn that single occasion, he went very much BEYOND the "extra mile". I cannot, now or ever, say anything other than good things about him. (From what I've seen and heard of him, he's one of the country's finest engineers and my own person experience in that one instance only serves to reinforce this opinion of him!)

Now, in defence of CC: I've never had anything but good experiences with them, also. (I've never worked with them in any kind of full-time capacity but, I have been called out to make a few emergency repairs - most notably at KGYN in Guymon, Oklahoma - and my own station in Texas is an affiliate of Clear Channel Networks.) They've never been anything less then extrememly frfriendly and extremely helpful to me.

In the absence of further information, I have to side with the previous posters who have assumed that the "higher ups" obviously haven't a clue about engineering/hurricane cleanup and have (again, based more on LACK of information rather than informed thought) made a "knee-jerk" decision.

I only regret that this has happened to such a fine man as John Buffaloe.

Now, as to whether or not I think John Buffaloe is a "fit and suitable" engineer: Mr. Buffaloe, if you have the time, could you please give me a call? We have a transmitter in need of assembly and I haven't the time to do it myself. I'd like to get a quote from you as I don't often get a chance to work with THE FINEST IN THE BUSINESS. (But, don't tell Rich Wood that I said something nice about someone...) I'm very serious about the request for the call. Our toll-free is 1-866-726-9209.
<P ID="signature">______________
Terry Keith Hammond

Message Boards: http://www.monsterfm.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi</P>
 
Reprint Of Mr.Buffalos Private E Mail. Not his post.

Actually in review of the post, it seems that this was a reprint of Mr. Buffalos private e mail to friends and family. So at least it wasn't Mr. Buffalo writing this stuff on the board, he has his buddy from Jefferson Pilot In San Diego reprinting a private letter to friends and family on websites to thank for that. Good for you. Maybe you will rehire him at Jefferson Pilot. You were nice enough to post his personal tragedy on a messageboard.

Guy loses his job because he doesnt do what he is hired to do and some Californian calls me a red neck. Typical. Maybe Buffalo was the man in San Diego...he obviously couldn't get the job done in Lousiana. That is why he is gone. He was great for you, did nothing for N.O. Sometimes who and what are good in one community, aren't cut out for another.

As for my position in the industry? You work in California? Like your the first?!?!! Great assumption...yes, unless you work in California you are nothing. Spoken like a true over-taxed underpaid Californian. Totally over-rated. Nice place to visit though.

Again, sorry your boy didn't do his job and got canned. Your boy tanked. Oh well, thats life. Get over it.
 
> We will most likely start up a new, spartan life in Memphis,
> and hopefully I can find some kind of work, but I may be
> done with radio. We'll see. I did manage to save two of my
> favorite guitars, one amp, and Annette's portfolio of
> negatives, along with a few electronic gizmos.

You're welcome here, Dude. We'll be looking for you.

But, take a look on the Memphis board. There are one or two guys in Memphis NOT to work for. I'm thinking of one in particular.

Oh, and a piece of advice on moving to the Bluff City. Corkey's BBQ? Highly overrated. Germantown Commissary is much better. Try the BBQ Nachos.

DE
 
> > This is so Clear Channel to fire someone for not repairing
>
> > in three hours what it took the storm to tear down in
> > seconds. Clear Channel sucks!!!!!!!!!
>
> Also, at that point, since CC already has other transmitters
> back on line carrying WWL's storm news. it would've been
> pointless to put the stations back on line, other than to
> provide backup for the others.
>
> Either during emergencies liked this, CC's corporate suits
> only thinks for themselves, not others.
>

I AGREE!!!!!!!!! Corporate radio... like a breath of fresh air!... NOT!
 
> > This is so Clear Channel to fire someone for not repairing
>
> > in three hours what it took the storm to tear down in
> > seconds. Clear Channel sucks!!!!!!!!!
>
> Also, at that point, since CC already has other transmitters
> back on line carrying WWL's storm news. it would've been
> pointless to put the stations back on line, other than to
> provide backup for the others.
>
> Either during emergencies liked this, CC's corporate suits
> only thinks for themselves, not others.

_______________________________________________________________________


A word from someone who USED to be on the inside, but is now retired,...

I have to agree with "rugrats1" in stating that it really wasn't necessary to have every station under the CC wing back on line immediately after the storm,... especially if there's no power. I understand the transmitters have back-up generators to keep them going, but if gas is a rare commodity due to closed gas stations, then I think the logical thing to do is to have just one station on-air. The one station that has the clearest channel and the most power. That's where the gas needed to be concentrated. We see what happened at some area hospitals. They ran out of gas. They weren't operational after that. Trying to run 10 transmitters would have made no sense. They would have been on briefly, then back off.

I also understand it is the duty of the stations and their companies to stay on as long as possible to deliver news and information. The stations they would've put back on would have been doing one thing... and that was simulcasting. I highly doubt at this point someone bitching about... say Q-93 not being on the air. Obviously, no one really had the urge to have a little 50 Cent or Ludacris rap for us while we're dealing with disaster.

People aren't lazy. They can change the channel when they discover their station is silent or off the air. Entercom and Clear Channel joined together to form United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans. The ONLY two stations needed now for the time being is 101.9FM and 870AM. Leave the others prepared for back-up. They can be dealt with once the area is clear for people to be there SAFELY!

I feel for Mr. Buffaloe. I do not doubt he is a hard worker. He lost his job protecting his family. Family comes first! These corporate assholes have one thing on their mind... themselves. "What's in it for me?!"... that's what their thinking! I'll bet they have no immediate family and if that's the case, they can bring their sorry asses down here from Tenbucktwo, Nowheresville and put their life on the line. Thank you Mr. Buffaloe for putting us in mind first as well. You're a true gentleman.

Sawtooth McMullen
 
> First of all I thought it was classy for John to come on and
> say what is important... the people who have nothing.
>
> Second, why is everyone jumping to conclusions before they
> have any knowledge? You all (except for John) are all
> running on rumor and second or third hand knowledge!

You are wrong there....Sorry but what I said was not rumor but truth...
Not second or third hand knowledge.
 
Re: Reprint Of Mr.Buffalos Private E Mail. Not his post.

Herm: Sorry you never made it to the bigs, LA
San Diego on my resume. Your stuck in what market?.
Some guys are bitter, so you dis California and
a talented engineer you know nothing about. Pal,
you are a dum a** redneck.
 
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