For 13 of WSCL’s 25 years I have volunteered as a classical music announcer, and I am deeply disheartened by news that Salisbury University's foundation is considering piping in prepackaged music programming from far away and terminating several staff members, some of whom have been with us almost since the beginning.

I enjoy not only WSCL's classical music, but also the well-informed commentary that accompanies it. The WSCL blog features commentary and extensive notes on music featured on the station, especially on Just Opened. Other popular programs such as Classical Chat and Classical Kids, as well Just Opened, are unlikely to be included in canned programming from Lord knows where.

I am disturbed at the prospect, moreover, of losing WSDL's news and commentary Other NPR stations now locally available do not have that same programming. None of them offers anything like Don Rush's truly brilliant Delmarva Today, featuring interviews with members of the local business community, as well as with SU students who, as interns, have covered the national political conventions. Nor do other stations bring us Peabody Award winner Mark Steiner's On Delmarva, which often features Chesapeake Bay's own Tom Horton. And, I depend on WSCL for local weather; I am not interested in WAMU's information about disruption of the DC Metro.

SU's foundation just completed a capital campaign, receiving almost $40,000,000 - surely an indication that the university, if it wishes, can sustain this priceless shore resource.

John M. Ferren
South Bethany