Monday, January 14, 2008

Terry Swails Supporter Petition

Hello,
Apparently, according to inside news blogs, Terry Swails has been "let go" from TV 6, and it appears its all about the bottom line, so I thought I would start a petition for people to sign encouraging KWQC to bring Terry back, while vowing to stop watching their broadcasts if he isn't brought back! Please join me in supporting Terry Swails!

To Sign The Petition Please Create A Comment With Your Name As The Subject And Any Message You Might Wish To Convey As The Body Of Your Comment!

61 comments:

onthego58 said...

I would like to show these big corporations that it isn't all about money. Terry, no doubt, has had many opportunities to move to a bigger station and make more money but stayed here. It isn't all about the money to him.

shortandsassy said...

shortandsassy There needs to be a huge shake-up at KWQC, but not in the weather department! Needs to start right at the top! The station has lost some great employees lately, and I know who that is because of!

pj_jms1 said...

THERE NEEDS TO BE ALOT OF CHANGES MADE AT KWQC BUT TERRY SWAILS AND THE WEATHER DEPARTMENT ARE NOT ONE OF THEM....TERRY IS LOVED BY EVERYONE..AND THERE ISN'T ANOTHER STATION IN THE QUAD CITY AREA THAT CAN TOP THE WEATHER TEAM HEADED BY TERRY SWAILS...SO WHOEVER IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR LETTING TERRY GO NEEDS TO HAVE THIER HEAD EXAMINED...GETTING RID OF TERRY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES THAT THIS STATION CAN MAKE...HE COULD HAVE LEFT MANY TIMES FOR MORE MONEY OR EVEN LESS BUT HAS CHOSEN TO STAY WITH THIS STATION BECAUSE HE CARES....NOW ONLY TO BE LET FOR WHATEVER REASON...COME ON KWQC..GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR YOU KNOW WHAT AND BRING TERRY BACK..YOU ARE MAKING A MAJOR MISTAKE IN LETTING HIM GO...VIEWERS WILL GO TOO...RATINGS WILL GO FURTHER DOWN...THAN THEY ARE ALREADY..BUT LOOKS LIKE MANAGEMENT REALLY DONT CARE...THE PUBLIC VIEWING AREA WANTS TERRY SWAILS BACK ...NOW

MAM said...

KWQC is making a big mistake It's always about the almighty dollar.
Let's ask this. If they bring Terry back, what will the atmosphere be like for him?
You'll do very well Terry wherever life takes you. The QCA misses you.

They need to fire Paula's hairdresser. You better watch it to Paula. Oh wait.... your husband. Guess your SAFE!

Carm said...

I think Terry is a class act and wish him well whatever happens.

crazysher said...

Terry Swails is the best weather person this area ever had. Bring him back and let some of their stupid nonunderstandable interns go instead.

Darby said...

As a viewer of channel 6 news for nearly 60 years, I do not understand why you hired so many new faces that there is no familiarity with and tossed out an old friend the viewers identify with. I could do without an hour's worth of news at noon too. It seems you are taking the advice of someone who has no clue and is making changes just for the sake of change.
Darby

Suzy Hartung said...

I strongly support the continuation of Terry Swails' contract with KWQC TV-6. He is warm, professional and personable and embodies KWQC's motto, "We Care for You." If Terry wishes to continue employment at TV-6, I sincerely hope that Management will continue his contract.

golsn said...

Did Terry Swails leave for personal reasons just like Erik Maitland? SURE!! I agree with others. What is with Paula's hair and you cannot understand Christina. Of course I am sure Christina is much less strain on the payroll than Terry. Wake up KWQC before your station leaves for "personal reasons" US!!

sdawn said...

Please do not let Terry Swails go. He is by far the best meteorologist KWQC-TV has. He is the main reason I watch this station and letting him go would be a huge mistake. He is well worth the money and they need to realize this.

qcnative said...

All the good people seem to have left KWQC after their new news director took over, or have been shifted to strange times (Mike Mickle in early morning). Except for Paula, who of course hangs on like a bad hangover. And now if Terry Swails is gone--he is the BEST weatherman in the QC. If he is gone, so is this life-long KWQC viewer. WQAD is looking better all the time!

SaveDaSwails said...

Ain't nobody gonna stop T-Sway!!! He da birdman, and he gon' give me my weather!

lainie said...

It must be collusion between the news director and psl...after all, isn't psl their Queen"...who is always in the spotlight. Even Gary M. is in the background anymore on newscasts. Terry is so very easy to watch and understand. No theatrics like Theresa who would read phone book numbers just to be on camera. Dump her and bring Terry back...but then that would be a loss of face for Ch 6, to admit that viewers don't have to swallow their decisions. I'll just turn to Ch 8 and Neil Kastor.

banningkwqc said...

It's hard to believe that "TV Six Cares For You" when they are lieing to thier viewers about firing Terry Swails, using Terry Swails commercials for ratings, and disregarding the fact that he has a three year old daughter and wife to support. For 21 years at KWQC, he has been a class act,loyal, professional,and in my opinion a Quad City weather Icon. KWQC will regret this ignorant decision, Terry has Quad Citian's support and they will follow him wherever he decides to go. I do believe the Best is yet to come for Terry!

dodgeball said...

Terry has served KWQC for many many years. we thought he presented the weather very well.
If he is let go WE WILL NOT WATCH KWQC news and weather again. You need to get your act together before you loose a lot of viewers.

Koby said...

Want a laugh?

"he Station That Cares For You"

oldmaan said...

To the station owners, it's just business. On Young Broadcastings? website, they clearly state they operate for bottom line profits. Every business in the USA is doing this. Your choice? write the station and the owners parent company direct and boycott watching KWQCs most profitable shows for local advertising (PSL and local news). But after 30 plus years in business, I'll bet the die is cast and Swails is gone.

djh said...

If it's true TV6 is not renewing Terry's contract, I believe there will be alot of fallout from this decision.

As others have said, TV6 cannot promote themselves as "Caring for You" and then let go an employee who has done nothing but give 100% effort to his profession, the viewers, and the station for over 21 years.

How can a station expect its viewers to remain loyal if it doesn't practice it in their own business decisions? Maybe in some large, metro areas, people don't care who's on their TV stations. That is not the case in the QC area. If the management at TV6 doesn't understand that, then they are out of touch with their customers. As others have said, there are other stations to watch. Might have to start seeing what's on those stations.

Takeittothetop said...

Forward comments to the station!

www.KWQC.com Click on: About KWQC
Next, click on: Email KWQC TV6

mark koster said...

get a life folks it's tv. former tv director here from 6/78 to 3/96. tv6 told me i'm not part of their plan after 18 years. no one said sorry to me. i hope management is next starting with hegeman. and all the useless union production employees. tv6 S_X

bootsy said...

Terry Swails is one of the best! And it's sad to see him go because of money. I don't mind getting my weather info from Ryan, but without Terry, I don't know if I'll continue to rely on KWQC! Terry is always very thorough and KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT. He knows how to convey the information in an understandable and concise way. He truly embodies the "We Care For You" motto Channel 6 wants us to believe. I agree with everyone else that KWQC is making a HUGE mistake! BRING HIM BACK!

enoughsaid said...

Breaking news!!!!I will not listen to any weather unless it comes from Terry Swails. As Mike Mickle said when doing his expose of credit island gay activity,"What are you doing back there." I ask the same question to KWQC ownership, What are you doing back there?

jjmck79 said...

I too will miss Terry. Thanks for the many great years Terry! I do have to say that I am enjoying his replacement though. I'd like to say I'll quit watching, but I just can't do 8.

clintonian said...

Bottom line may turn into less revenue for Channel 6 when we all start watching something else. Please reconsider letting Terry Swails go. I will be another one switching stations if not.

TerrySwails,Jr. said...

I think it was a good idea to let that guy go. It's no secret that he thinks that he should make as much as Paula does, but he only does 4 minutes worth of material per show. Paula is the face of that station. I don't like her, but I can't deny that she is the money-maker.

Terry isn't that great of a weather person anyway. Half the time I can't tell if he's even alive. He's so boring!!! They should hire ALL new people and redo that set that was popular in the early 80's.

What a joke it is that these guys are the "best" newscast in the market. I've been to smaller markets and seen 10x better newscasts than this POS.

Suzy Hartung said...

Well, "Terry Swails Jr." . . . this being America and all, you have the right to your opinion. However, I completely disagree -- I think Terry is wonderful and he projects the "we care for you" values that KWQC TV-6 uses as its motto. I miss him and hope he will come back. Suzy Hartung

Thoughtful said...

I am a first time blogger, but felt compelled to leave a comment. There are always two sides to a story BUT, I would hope something could have been worked out between Mr. Swails and the Executives at KWQC. I grew up watching Mr. Swails, he is a household name in our region. Terry is well liked and well respected. I know several people that watched KWQC newscasts just because of Terry Swails and his accurate forecasts. The man is dedicated to his profession and his passion and love for weather is apparent. If the decision was purely monetary, than shame on the station "that cares for you." This community cared about Terry and he cared about us. The decision made by KWQC is a bad one, to say the least.

uselessunionguy said...

I would just like to respond to Mark Koster's comments. He's very angry about Young tossing him out when they took over (about 12 years ago) and still holds a grudge against the union. Some time before that happened, Koster was scared of losing his job, so he joined the union just for that reason. Young would not recognize the union nor it's contract, so they fired the highest paid director who was Koster. The "useless union" stepped forward and negotiated a sweet severence package for Koster, which I believe included some 20 weeks of pay. We've never had a such a nice deal before or since. Get over it, Koster! Also I'd like to say that Young sucks.

outlaw woman said...

I want to agree to the petition to bring Terry Swails back. I will boycott the station. I have watched his weather cast for years. Until Terry comes back I will not watch that channel.

-J said...

I am in utter shock about this decision. I just realized the other day how odd it was that he hadn't been on the new lately. Then today I found out what was going on.
I must say, as a degreed meteorologist living in Davenport that I am shocked they would let someone go with the amount of experience he has. Experience in the meteorology profession is very important. I cannot stand watching that Ryan guy they recently hired, love how he takes the National Weather Service's forecast and copies it as his own, or how he uses their forecast discussions and rehashes them on air. You know thats what a lot of the "weather people" do since they dont have an actual degree. I pray for the viewers of that station when we get into tornado season and someone is at the helm that doesnt know what they are talking about.
I will not be watching their newscasts any more, and I am considering boycotting the local companies that advertise with them.

justme1 said...

Terry Swails has been a huge part of KWQC for years, and it is the only station I watch for weather. That may change now, but I agree that he probably wouldn't go back anyway. He'll be great in whatever he does. An honest and kind person from everything I know about him. God bless you, Terry!

jjmck79 said...

Sounds like a case of weatherman envy justin... wishing you were the new channel 6 guy?

We all like terry. We wish he was still there. But that's no reason to go bashing on eveyrone else at the station. They're all just trying to do their jobs everyday like the rest of us.

FarmGirl said...

I am disappointed that Terry Swails will no longer be on KWQC. He is polished, professional and very knowledgable. It makes me wonder if this decision may actually "cost" KWQC more than it will save. I, for one, may be watching WQAD more, especially during severe weather Thank you, Terry Swails, for serving us well for many years!

SOSAD said...

I would like to convey my families upset of not renewing Terry Swailes contact.
KWQC, you will come to regret your decision. Terry is knowledgable, polished and professional. I wish Terry and his family well. Good luck to you and let us know where you land as we all will watch you! KWQC really needs to listen to the folks they have on the air. Most of the new individuals can not articulate. I have changed stations already due to this reason. It had become almost comical to watch and listen to tv-6news. The hour long noon news and 2 hour morning news is TOO MUCH. It is just a repeat of non-news over and over and over.
So sad to say goodbye TV 6 but, your not moving in the right direction. If it is the bottom line you looking why not loose the ones who can not speak clearing, who do not look proffessional, who will not retain viewers. Take a look at those individuals. That is called "cost effective".

Mike said...

Shame on you KWQC.Terry was by and far the best weather person here.Justin hit on the head when he said "pray when there is a Tornado or other severe weather in the area"If this was cost move then that's crap money is'nt everything.You can't overpay for loyality.This is'nt the NFL there is no salary cap.I hope Terry shows up on TV again.I have become a weather buff cause of him.Thank's Terry your the best. P.S.git rid of Paula and her bad hair day and PSL

Unknown said...

Terry, there is life after KWQC. Take this as an opportunity to move on and up at a new/different station who will appreciate your talent. Even if you stayed, what kind of rapport would you have with the high and mighty... always wondering when/if the same or similiar situation will occur again. Kiss and hug your friends goodbye and move on! You will be missed but not totally if we can see you somewhere else.

Good luck and God bless!

butchie34 said...

What in the " " were they thinking? There is no weather without Terry Swails! What is it their always saying, "Thank you Quad Cities for making channel six news #1", well guess what, we can also make you zero. I'm afraid channel six has been compromised, and somebody's head should roll for getting rid of the best thing they had going, a familar face who the viewers felt like they knew and could relate to. Big mistake, big.... Best of Luck to you Terry!

Judi & Stan said...

KWQC is not the same w/o Terry Swails giving the weather. Is was so good and so professional. It's a mistake letting him go. Bye Terry means bye for me to your TV station.

Chris LaGrow said...

As a volunteer Fire Chief that relies heavily on local television and radio in times of inclimate weather, I have to say that the "letting go" of Terry Swails to KWQC is nothing short of mind blowing to me. This leaves the area with little choice but to rely on the crew at WQAD. Nothing against Teresa Bryant but Terry is the one I would turn to before anyone else for the "heads up" on severe weather. Hopefully he will land locally on the competition. And I will follow. By the way, if it was strictly "for the bottom line", Paula Sands would have been a good place to start.

Unknown said...

Terry Swails is one of the professionals that made KWQC great.
Someone needs to take a hard look at the current management before they destroy the station's reputation.

Unknown said...

Terry is hands down the best weather authority on QC television. I am shocked that they let him go. If he shows up on another station I will follow. He IS the reason I have watched KWQC news. Unbelievable!

AMann said...

I like many others have grown watching Terry give the weather.Everyone in this neighberhood will surely miss him.I thank Terry for signing his book for me that I recieved as a Christmas present.I wouldn't want to return to KWQC and personally am done watching that station as I can turn to station out of Rockford IL bacause of our location.My parent,my wife and I wish Terry and family all the best and look forward to seeing you somewhere soon. Godbless

Unknown said...

The only reason I watch the news is for the weather. The only reason I watched KWQC was for Terry. I have switched to WQAD now and will be watching them from now on.

Ullrich R. said...

Look if we want to make a difference then we must speak to them in the only way that matters, their ADVERTISERS!

If you really want to help bring Terry back don't patronize ANY business that advertises on Channel 6. If you have to then take a couple of minutes to ask for the manager and tell them that you will not support their business if they continue to advertise with Channel 6.

YES, BOYCOTT the advertisers of Channel 6!!!!!!

grannykathy said...

I am astounded that KWQC did not recognize the value of Terry Swails to the station. Many of us were loyal watchers of "The Station That Cares For You" only because of Terry. This is a management mistake on the scale of "new coke."

Unknown said...

Terry Swails is a Quad Cities icon.

I grew up in the Quad Cities but now live in Des Moines and I still have Swails' book on my coffee table. All my guests love it.

What a shame.

fluff1818 said...

I lived in the QCA for 7 years, moved to Des Moines in September of 2006 and am relocating to Galesburg, Illinois with my husband next month. When I read that Terry Swails had left KWQC, I, along with all of the "Terry" supporters, was devastated. I own his signed book on weather and he is what made KWQC what it is today. He was the only reason I watched KWQC. I am turned off and switching stations. I sure hope he will come back and take on KWQC...Terry, it just isn't the same without you!

kalamap said...

kalamap, Terry is the best thing about watching channel 6 news. Why bring in two new people and keep Therese Bryant when you could have gotten rid of them all and kept Terry. Therese is not even a meteorologist!!

dodgegirl said...

I grew up watching KWQC-TV6 and Terry Swails. I just found out that Terry was no longer on today. Sorry I'm a little slow. I agree with everybody else bring back Terry. Get rid of Paula Sands and her bad hair, Christina because she's always standing in the way pointing at everything like a teacher pointing at each word and she just can't seem to get off camera when the 7 day outlook comes up, and get rid of the new guy Matt Linder because you can not understand him at all. Please bring Terry back!!! Terry and Ryan would make a good team.

luckyleprachaun said...

Terry was definitely the best meteorologist in the QC. If he was really let go, then KWQC can go screw themselves. I'll watch Anthony "Reaching for the Rainbow" Peoples all I have to. What a joke. Terry was what made the weather on TV6 what it is today. Ryan is good, but now it's missing something, and Ryan is the only thing remotely good about the weather now....the rest is unbearable. I remember when I used to look forward to watching the weather...now I just won't watch the news altogether.

Oz said...

Well slap me in the ass and call me Judy....T-Swails not at KWQC....That just doesn't seem right Swailer but it's probably best you are away from the BS and instability there anyway....I know nothing about what is going on there but from all the posts it seems a bit ugly....Anyway, all the best my friend and remember that when one door closes another opens.....We'll always have basketball.....Also giving a shout out to Koster!! What up dawg!!??

Unknown said...

KWQC is falling apart. Without Swails the weather is a joke. Malfuctions every broadcast. Burchett can't handle the pressure and Shiroma is a fool with it. That seems to be the reason I find myself watching KWQC for a good laugh. I going to try not to until they bring back Swails but I don't know if I can help myself.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
pj_jms1 said...

COME ON PEOPLE...THE LETTING GO OF TERRY SWAILS WAS A MISTAKE AND THE PUBLIC KNOWS IT..CORPORATE RUINED THE WEATHER DEPARTMENT AT KWQC AND WE ALL KNOW IT..RYAN IS NOT DOING ALL THAT BAD OF A JOB BUT HAS GOT SOME MIGHTY BIG SHOES TO TRY AND FILL ..GIVE HIM A CHANCE..THE STATION HAS LOST SOME GREAT REPORTERS DUE TO CORPORATE MESSING UP...I WISH ALL OF THEM THE BEST OF LUCK...BUT LETS ALLOW TERRY AND THE OTHERS TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES..AND MAYBE JUST MAYBE WHEN THE BOTTOM FALLS OUT OF THE RATINGS CORPORATE WILL REALIZE THAT THEY MADE A MAJOR MISTAKE BY LETTING THE BEST GO..IN THE MEANTIME LETS QUIT KNOCKING THOSE THAT ARE STILL AT THE STATION THAT WE ALL LOVE TO LISTEN TO SO CORPORATE DOESNT DECIDE TO LET THEM GO...

carol said...

I am 54 years old and have watched KWQC locl news my entire adult life. Since Terry left, I no longer watch KWQC. He was a class act and is sorely missed. I wish KWQC would reconsider. I wish Terry well.

-J said...

He, Terry Swails, will be back on the air 9/2 on wqad- bet on it. They are running ads saying this local personality wasnt good enough for another local station so he is joining ours, find out who on 9/2 at 6pm and 10pm.

Unknown said...

I personally know Terry and you made a HUGE mistake honey. I have recently moved to the East coast and came back after nearly a year and watched your news station and would never watch it again if I were still living here. You messed up BIG TIME!!! Too bad for you BUT, good for Terry that he is rid of you. He will absolutely be OK without you, but you??? I don;t think so. You made a huge mistake, I want to know what you learned in college because you TOTALLY missed it. Good luck...

Unknown said...

I know this is way late to leave a post and Terry is probably thriving somewhere else, but I miss him (and Eric Maitland) very very much. I gave Christina a chance, but she talks in a very nonsensical manner. The new Josh is a joke. He is the last straw. I'm switching entirely to channel 8. KWQC is NOT the channel that cares for you.

Anonymous said...

wondering what happened to terry? he just dissappeared with no word. has he been hijacked? bring him back.

kittiefern said...

As the economy crumbles to tainted food, identity theft and criminal banking and business executives, is it a wonder that this station, with already failing ratings, further shoots itself in the leg by removing our familiar hosts for the sake of the almighty buck. I hope your revenge Terry is to live well and work for a station whose reporters don't wear stocking hats, whose writers can spell and use words of at least six letters sometimes, and whose camera people stop using film they took years ago to promote non-news stories. Terry, you deserve better!

rfrakes331k said...

Bring back Terry Swails. He was always very informative and was usually very accurate on his weathercasts. The channel 6 Weather Team is boring now! I doubt that whatever Terry's demands were that they were unreasonable.