Remember during the summer when you could turn on your radio and hear all the tunes you enjoy listening to, or when you drove through the community and the radio DJ was talking about what was happening in the community that day?
That was pretty nice. In fact it wasn’t just nice, it was downright wonderful.
For a few brief months the small community of Barriere got to experience a special opportunity that helped to create its own identity over the airwaves; all courtesy of radio station man Steve Shannon, the District of Barriere, and numerous local volunteers who stepped up to the microphone (literally) and helped to make it all happen.
The Bear radio station not only pulled the community together as locals started tuning in to 93.1fm, but it also assisted in bringing out volunteers for needy projects, finding missing pets for their frantic owners, and even connecting kittens with prospective families. The station told the community what our local service groups and organizations were up to, helped organize fundraisers, and announced numerous community events and happenings.
Local advertisers were able to add another form of media advertising to their promotional campaigns, and events such as the annual North Thompson Fall Fair received constant coverage and colour commentary throughout their weekend.
In September, Shannon announced he was having to turn off the power for awhile while he processed the required CRC and Industry Canada applications for permitting and approval, so that The Bear can become a constant fixture within the community.
Shannon reported to the Star/Journal on Tuesday that he is still waiting to hear back on the approval of his applications from these organizations. We all know that the government process can take quite awhile, but lets hope that the government’s red tape reduction will apply to a speedy approval and get 93.1fm back on the air. In the meantime, Shannon says he’s prepared to wait, and he has the station ready to go live at the turn of a switch. But for now, The Bear is in hibernation.
