Bring KRCG's Rod Smith back petition...
He is a pillar of the community with years of service to local sports. He is also very well loved in the community and has a huge following in Jefferson City and surrounding areas.
We hope by signing this petition you will see your mistake in firing Rod Smith and will reconsider his reinstatement.
Thank you very much for reading this petition and we hope you will make the right decision.
I played softball for Jefferson City High School from 04-07 and Rod was always there to promote and cover our team! He even covered my college signing! Not only that, but my mother had his daughters in 2nd grade! Rod, I know you're back and I'm soooo happy for you! :) I just heard you on KAT 94.3 and I was estatic to hear about the news! Congratulations! And if I knew of this site, I would have signed it way earlier, but if it's any consolation, there's a petition going around Facebook that I signed hehe :) Thank you!
I may be a little biased here (being that he is my cousin), but in a day when sports has very few true role models left that you would want your children to look up to, Rod is that role model. He is someone you want your children to grow up admiring and wanting to be. A wonderful human being and a joy to watch on television whenever I am in the area or get a clip sent to us.
Rod smith, is the only reasoin i watch the news and every since he got fired the news hasnt been the same, you never hear about local sports or go deep in sports anymore its not the same, this is a sports state and if you take that away you will be making alot of people mad
wont watch 13 news anymore till hes back
Rod Smith IS sports at KRCG. The station is not the same without him. Bring him back NOW.
I have already stopped watching KRCG and have vowed to not patronize any business that advertises with KRCG.
I will not watch channel 13.
I have lived in the New Bloomfield community for 28 years and Rod has always been there covering the news welcoming chat with local patrons of the ballfield with a smile. He has always treated public that I know of with respect and seem to love his job.
Watch channel 8 or 17
he's an community icon...a leader and a fantastic sports caster. he is everything to high school sports and community events.
i haven't been watching KRCG since -- an now, even if I wanted to, I can't because they are in dispute with Dish. This is ridiculous.
I'm glad he's gone
Maybe watch KRCG now.
How important is Rod Smith to you? he is appart of our community.
What action will you take until this issue is resolved? we have stopped watching ch 13.
I looked forward to watch Rod everyday to hear about the sports news. I also loved watching "Rod's Big Fish" and miss seeing this Christian man on the news now. I thought he was an asset to the channel, so why was he fired and replaced by the new guy?? Who's next to be fired?? Dick??Kermit?? Theresa?? Mike? Barrington needs to realize that this WAS the best news channel to watch, but will loose viewers if they continue to fire the pros and replace them with the kiddos on the channel now.
I will only watch the pros and will turn the channel once I see the new ones who are replacing them. If Rod returns, I will watch the full program once again!
I've never met Rod but I have talked to people who have. They always comment on what a friendly and nice guy he is. After seeing him for so long on 13's news and knowing how strong he is in his faith and family I feel like I've lost a friend. Barrington Broadcasting is being greedy and is clueless about their local market. What can you expect from a company that owns 20 TV stations. I wish that Mel Wheeler's family had not sold to this bunch.
Barrington Broadcasting is in a dispute with Dish Network over a 130% fee increase that Dish is expected to pay them. Dish network viewers are currently unable to view 13. Even if they do work things out I will not watch 13 again until they either bring back Rod or the station changes ownership.
One of the best humans on this earth. He is a clas act and deserves to be treated better.
I will never watch tis staion ever again. They have a histoy of not taking caere of the people who work hard for them
I really wish he was still with the station. He was my favorite sports broadcaster in the columbia/jefferson city area
I guess I will start trying to watch the ABC broadcast
Rod is a Jefferson City icon! He went the extra mile to bring our local sports news....now that Lee Gordon has retired why can't his salary be transferred to Rod Smith.???
I will not watch KRCG anymore....Columbia TV news is just fine
Imagine my shock today, as I found out that Rod Smith was no longer with KRCG. I have been out of the country for the last two months and must be the last one in town to find out this disturbing news. I think the station has made one big mistake. Rod is a consumate professional. As a Jefferson City resident I have not been happy with the stations efforts to regionalize or "columbianize" its broadcast in the last several years. I wish Rod well and know that he will be successful no matter what path he takes.
I understand one of the Columbia stations has recently opened a Jefferson City office so I will be watching them....
Rod Smith is a huge sports icon in mid-missouri and station managment should be ashamed of themselves.
Will never watch KRCG again. Don Galloway- Photojournalist for KSDK.
He's the best announcer there is! KEEP HIM
boycott that station!
Barrington Broadcasting's decision to release Rod Smith was poorly planned and ill-thought-out. Rod is loved and highly respected in Jefferson City and in mid-Missouri. Many have said they have stopped watching Channel 13. I can't blame them. The message to Barrington Broadcasting is strong. You need to rethink your decision. Rod worked and volunteered with kindness, caring, a Christian attitude and honesty. He lives and leads by example -- an example that this country needs to see more of.
Please ask Rod to come back.
KRCG is NOT the same since Rod has left. You have lost the professionalism that he brought to Sports and the station.
I really don't know what you were thinking when you made the decision you made. I know that times are tough, but letting one of your main employees go was not the answer. Why choose Rod? Why not let some of the part-time, less experienced people go or maybe employees who are at retirement age? You have definately lost one of the greatest sportscasters your station has ever seen. I would love to see him return, but then really, who would want to work for a Broadcasting Company who treats their employees the way you do? I will not be the faithful viewer that I used to be.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rod Smith. Please return him back to KRCG
Rod is the Best!!!
I won't watch your station anymore for the news!!!
Rod Smith is best Sporstcaster in Mid-MO
I no longer watch KRCG
Rod was an important part in that he added an appeal to smalltown, USA news. He made everyone he encountered feel important and made viewers at home feel engaged by his warmth and true caring spirit. This was what set the station apart from the typical commercialized reporting. The young viewers and old-time regulars will miss him dearly.
I'm deeply saddened that the station is confirming what all our youth are being taught; Hard work doesn't pay off. Dedication and seniority doesn't mean a thing. Guess the positive side for Rod is that he got too big for the smalltown station. I have quit watching the news on 13 and have only chosen to quickly glance at the weather & job listings online. I can get my news alerts online from a bigger impersonal station therefore I no longer support the local station that fired me as an avid consumer/viewer.
I quit watching a while back, the news broadcasters they've had lately are really young inexperienced and horrible. The weather guy with glasses needs to do something, you get such a glare, you forget what he says. The jokes/talking back and forth was so lame...Only the good older ones that's been there are worth watching.
I'll turn to it, see who's on, and that decides if I'll watch the broadcast. Usually I don't you don't even recognize half of them anymore.
It's about time, krcg really should overhaul.
nothing
Our family has not watched KRCG 13 since they have taking Rod Smith off. I feel bad for his co-workers, because it is not fair to them either. We will not return to their news until Rod is put back on.
Rod is probably one of the biggest draws and spokesman for KRCG. I don't think you have evaluated what it will cost for him to be gone.
I have not watched KRCG news since Rod left. I plan on doing this indefinately. That's too bad when I realize that hurts the other KRCG staff. They are the best team for our area in Mid Missouri.
Rod is amazing. He spoke for my DARE class in grade school. And RODS BIG OL fish is awesome.
I don't want KRCG news.
Rod Smith is an ICON who should not be terminated.
As a result of this I will be less inclined to watch KRCG.
Rod and his family are important pieces of the social architecture that makes the Jefferson City community such a great place to live. When we moved to JC 7 years ago from St Louis, one of the first things I noticed about local sportscasts was that KRCG was much less obsessively Columbia-centric than the others, and I always appreciated Rod's concern for our local events, which seem to matter less to our friends up HWY 63. Rod's easy delivery, concise but complete reports, and original features like Rod's Big Ol' Fish made for a pleasant few moments after a long day at work. I pray nothing but joy and success for Rod and his girls, and that his success would happen right here so they can remain the vital part of the community that they are. I miss seeing Rod in the evenings on channel 13. I also miss Kermit, Teresa, and Mike.
I have watched the other central Missouri newscasts much more recently. There are some good folks on 8 and 17, but I will be getting my local sports online and (gasp!) the newspaper as my children enter their high school years if they don't start covering the Jeff City area more.
Rod is the only reason that i used to watch KRCG. His sports were great and the kids loved to watch ROD'S BIG OL FISH.
Any thing and everything
Rod Smith is a staple in this community. If you want to axe someone how about the ignorant Palermo guy? Since this station started focusing on Columbia, it's gone down hill, Way, Way downhill. Good luck to a flailing station.
Hate to admit it, but watch Channel 8.
Rod Smith is extremely important to the station and community. To cut someone who has given so much of himself to make the sports program as solid as it is is unheard of. He is a pillar to the City of Jefferson and readily identifiable to Ch 13. I watch Ch 13 for Rod Smith's take on sports.
I won't be watching Ch 13 regularly now. It won't matter which station I have on for my sports wrap up.
Rod Smith has professionally, enthusiastically, and faithfully covered and reported local and other sports for well over 20 years.
I will never again watch KRCG news if Rod Smith is not taken care of by KRCG. I am outraged!
Rod Smith was an awesome sportscaster! He was the only sportscaster to cover our local high school teams. He will really miss him.
When school starts in the fall, I hope that another sportscaster or station will cover local sports. We will watch that station.
I enjoyed watching the news and hearing the sports highlites from a pro. I also miss the rod's big ol fish segment. It added a nice little touch to the news. People could share their stories.
I will start watching channel 8 or 17 and tell all my friends and family to do the same.
I've been watching KRCG since I was old enough to watch TV. I went to "ShowTime" as a Kid with Rod as the Host. I'm a business owner today and two things matter to Mid-Missourians - Loyalty and Integrity. If you are willing to dump someone that has given the best years of their life to this orginization and communmity, then your life as a station has little meaning as the "24/7 SOURCE for News." If the the Owners Lack these two characteristics, then the info coming from their Source may soon be tanted.
I've quit watching KRCG 13 as a result.
Rod Smith is the best! Bring him back! I miss Rod Smith; especially, the Big Ole Fish.
Refuse to watch Channel 13.
I'M NOT WATCHING KRCG UNTIL HE IS BROUGHT BACK. ALL THOUGHT HE'LL PROBABLY FIND A JOB THAT IS MUCH BETTER. I STILL WON'T WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rod Smith was, and to many... still is, the face of KRCG Sports! We want ROD BACK!
I haven't watched KRCG since the firing of Rod Smith and I don't intend to do so until Rod is back.
Rod is a pillar in the Central MO Community and he has featured more local teams than any other sports reporter. He knows the kids and their parents too.
We have stopped watching KRCG news - sorry Theresa and Kermit, we just can't support an organization that shows so little knowledge of the station and the people of Central MO.
Rod's dedication to the sports community in particular and the greater community as a whole has been incredible. Through the years I have seen him on nights and weekends at High School and other notable sporting events. He has always been a caring professional member of the mid-Missouri community and no doubt will find a better job elsewhere. I just hope that he is picked up by a smart Columbia station.
It is now June 14th and I have not watched ANY of the KRCG news programs since Rod was taken off of the air. It is a shame not to support the local station as we have many other caring people in the news and weather departments. Unless change is made at the TOP of the organization I expect the station to deteriorate. This should have been the first change. It is obvious that the management has not studied this community as they would find that the communities around Jefferson City are family oriented and extremely interested in young people and sports programs. This is where Rod shined both on the air and in one-on-one interactions. Rod is good for JC and we are the poorer with him off the air. As a working professional in the private sector in JC for over 20 years I appreciate the need to turn a profit. However I also know that cutting your best tie to the community will, in the long run, reduce revenue and further reduce profit. The next thing I expect is you will either cut Mike Roberts or he will recognize what is going on and leave for a better organization as have many news persons over the past years at KRCG. My challenge to the Barrington Broadcasting executives is to hold a community meeting and explain yourself, if you really care about the station and the people and the people in this community. Your next actions will tell the story.
I have watched Rob Smith on KRCG forever. The way this "lay-off" is being handled is an insult to all the consumers in the area. I hope that Barrington now realizes it but it may be too late in the game.
I am going to pray for Rod Smith and his family and hope that he finds a NEW job with a company that is understanding and he further proves why he is the BEST! GO JC JAYS!
He keeps me entertained in the sports you never know when he is going to catch me playing on that field he puts passion in it!
SUPPORT!!!!!
Rod Smith is a beloved member of this community. He has made KRCG sports the one to watch in mid-Missouri for years. Our family also knows him personally--he is a fine man, well-respected, and a great representative for this TV station and this community.
We stopped watching KRCG as soon as this distressing news was announced and we will not watch it unless Rod is offered the opportunity to return to KRCG at his full salary (including compensation for his lost salary). You did not study this market before making this decision. This is a relatively small city and local sports are gold. You really miscalculated on this one. Just ask Learfield--this radio giant in Missouri got it right when it realized just how important local sports are and the founders are rich. And we are richer as a community for the hometown touch Rod gave sports in this area.
This company is crazy for getting rid of Rod. He is wonderful at his job and a very nice man at that. All of our games through high school wouldn't of been complete w/out him there. He always help get the fans excited when our teams really needed it.
rod smith is a hero to students in school sports around mid missouri he always gives us our ten seconds of fame and makes us feel like we've accomplished somthing. without sports and rods big ol fish we have no reason to watch the news
i wont be watching krcg til he's put back on
he was a good man at that krcg and he needs to come back
He is the face of mid missouri sports taking him away is a loss for the mid missouri area.
I will not watch KRCG
Rod Smith is very important to the Youth of this City and has spent many personal hours with various groups which have been appreciated by many.
I Will no longer watch your local station until you reinstate Mr. Smith to his position.
Smith's sports coverage is the only thing that makes me tune in to KRCG.
Without his sportscast, there is no reason for me to watch at all.
I have watched Rob Smith forever. The way his "lay-off" was handled was an insult to everyone in the KRCG listening area.
Rod and his local sports programming are the reason I watched KRCG news. He's been a dedicated, involved, fixture in the community since he came to KRCG over 20 years ago. I'm convinced he gave much more than he received, and he didn't deserve to be treated this way. Also, pulling local sports coverage shows a terrible lack of committment to the community on the part of KRCG.
I've stopped watching KRCG news because no local sports. Also, our company (Winter-Dent & Company) advertises on the news and we will probably be moving our ads from KRCG to a station that covers local sports. Our goal is to reach business people with our advertising, and I believe business people want to see sports when they watch the news. Not to mention, the whole thing with Rod just ticks me off.
I have watched and enjoyed Rod Smith on Channel 13 for all the years he has been there.Not only does he give sports but, he is involved in the whole central Missouri area.He has been in our church several different times with his band and covers the Eldon Mustangs sports very well.
I will not watch ch.13 sports until Rod is reinstated.
