A Loss for the Community

The decision by radio station KVEN to cancel the midday talk show hosted by Carl Haeberle leaves our community fabric a little weaker.

It’s not that Haeberle was the most incisive interviewer or that he booked particularly compelling guests. But he was ours. And now that he has signed off for the last time, the other media that help Ventura County residents understand themselves and each other will have to work a little harder to fill the void.

Haeberle, 58, gave Ventura County and its issues the sort of attention they too rarely get from local broadcasters. His 90-minute show discussed local news and concerns, everything from what’s new at the county fair to what are we doing about violence in the schools.

In times of flood or other crisis, his soothing baritone relayed the latest developments and offered advice and encouragement. Ironically, his untrendy low-key approach probably contributed to the low ratings that led to his cancellation.

It takes many threads to stitch a community together. One is the shared experience of living together in a particular place and time. Others are similar aspirations for ourselves and our kids, a desire for common sense and decency from our public officials, a universal longing to feel comfortable and at home.

Newspaper opinion pages like this one aim to reinforce that fabric by sharing points of view and encouraging local debate.

So, in its own way, did Carl Haeberle’s radio show. And now it’s gone, replaced by one more syndicated Rush Limbaugh wannabe taking calls from all over the country.

Ventura County will miss it.