Radio Roseville - Chaper 3

The alarm sounded at 4:15 am with a bell that kept ringing until someone hit the doze button or shut it off. 

Someone is Emjay Bauer.  

If you are going to be the news anchor reporter during morning drive on local radio, you need to wake up long before it’s morning. 

The upside, Emjay reminded herself, is that she can’t sleep very well for very long seven months into her pregnancy, so the alarm reminded her she couldn’t go back to bed after getting up. 

Jake Bauer wasn’t far behind.  When he rolled out of bed, he headed to the local 24-hour gym for a work-out.  Emjay was gone by the time he returned to get ready for his job down in Madison with the Badger basketball team. 

After seeing Jake out the door, Emjay grabbed some breakfast and an ice-cold Mt. Dew for her short drive to the station. 

The first hour was spent going through news bulletins from overnight and phone calls to the local police and sheriff departments.  Emjay was thankful Pete took her around to the various departments to introduce her to the people on the other end of her calls. 

Those checks finished, Emjay sat at the keyboard to write story updates and put the newscast in order. 

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Kevin came in 30 minutes before 6, to go over the forecast for the next several days. After 8, he returned to the general manager office, he hoped to reach an agreement with the news and weather folks at News 3 for three live appearances on-air five days a week along with recorded forecasts and short bits to run throughout the day. 

He was glad to see clear skies and calm winds, that meant he could concentrate on managing the station. 

So far, Pete’s plan to make the station employee-owned looked promising.  There is paperwork to an effort like this, but, Kevin thought, might make it possible for a small radio station to survive.   

Their legal advisor hoped to have a timeline to finish the transition in the next two weeks. 

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Jean Marberg was up early and heading to the family’s implement dealership.  Glenn asked her to come out for a business update. 

Their grandfather opened a service station back in 1920, catering especially to farmers in the Valley of Roses.   

She grew up around the shop and could turn a wrench or run the service counter if the place was short-handed. 

The family name was the reason Jean was ahead of her time in keeping her name when she married the man who gave her Emjay and Elaine. 

Most of the time, she attended meetings and worked from home on various company projects. 

“Jean!  Good Morning, sis.” 

“Hi, Glenn.  How are you doing?” 

“I’m fine, Jean.  I am a little concerned about this place.” 

“Little Man...” This was the nickname Jean gave her brother when both were under the age of 5.  She liked to dust it off every so often to remind him she was still the older sister, “you aren’t alone.  We have a good team here.  And, if you ever need to talk about stuff you can’t around the shop, I’m available.” 

“You know, Jean, I appreciate it.  The biggest issue is there are fewer farmers.  10 large dairy farms sold their herds last year.  They are still planting crops but won’t need the same amount of equipment as years past.  We can try to re-double our efforts or we can hunker down to survive.” 

Glenn projected the profit-loss statement for last year and projections for the rest of this year.  While still profitable, the margins were narrower than years past.  The consequence of less profit, Glenn said, was that it meant they had to make tough decisions about employee bonuses and their charitable gifts around Roseville. 

“Glenn, I think you already know my opinion, Grandpa hired more people during the depression and bought a second and third station.  I know this is scary, but I think the only way we make it is by serving our customers and doing more in the community, not less.  If we need to, I think the two of us can cut our pay a little.  It wouldn’t surprise me if our other top management would do the same thing to make sure we keep all our people.” 

“Jean, I knew that was what you were going to say, but I am glad to hear it.” 

He gave his big sister a kiss on the cheek and a light punch to the shoulder.  “I’ll call if something comes up, otherwise, let’s get back together next month.  I’ll make sure we have some cinnamon rolls from Karen next time.” 

“That sounds good, Glenn.  See you later.” 

As she walked to her car, it occurred to her she didn’t share her big news with Glenn.  As much as she wanted him to know, she and Pete hadn’t worked out those details yet. 

Catch up on the story by following the link.