Hello there everyone. I thought, "What better time for an update, than an absolutely boring night at work?" So, here goes.
My wife Kim and I are fine. Jimmy still hasn't arrived yet, but it's getting close. We had an OB visit yesterday and an ultrasound showed him heads down, in position and ready to go. He has dropped quite a bit in the past few days. Due date is still June 1st, but we expect he'll be here sooner than that. Well, at least we hope so anyway. Kim is well past ready to have this baby. She says "I want him in my arms, not my tummy!" Keep checking back for details please. Our dogs, Snoopy and Smoke, are also anxious for Jimmy to arrive. Snoopy takes such great care of his Mommy and Smoke loves to spend time with us all. And it looks like we have finally turned the corner with him on our housebreaking efforts. Just in time too!
For those who are wondering: I will not be back as the radio voice of the Tri-City Storm in 2008-2009. While I thoroughly enjoyed the position, the players, the travel, the coaching staff and the fans, but with the changing dynamics of my family, I had been considering other, more financially rewarding positions. I have been offered a position with an expansion team in a class A level professional league, which I have accepted. All that keeps me from officially announcing where I'm headed, is a contract to sign. So far, all indications are that it will be a job that will help me gain the experience I seek for a more fulfilling career in hockey. Quite frankly, that is not something that would ever occur with the Storm. The position of radio broadcaster in Kearney will never be anything more than a part time position. I think my frustration with that fact rubbed some people the wrong way and it was their decision not to bring me back, not mine to leave. That and the fact that it's abundantly clear that if someone is over 30, they have no future with the organization, other than in coaching/hockey operations.
Much was made about the long-term viability of the franchise with the staff changes that occured during the past season, plus those that are occuring now and may occur in the near future. The recent controversy over proposed name/logo changes created a lot of publicity, much, well most, very negative. I feel that for the franchise to survive long-term, it needs an experienced leader, who can train and manage the employees and point them in the right direction to grow the business. Whether that would include a change in ownership is not something I am qualified to answer. However, I'm not sure it is the best interest of the Storm franchise for it to continue as it is right now. That does not mean I am predicting doom and gloom for "Hockey in the Heartland," but I do feel that there are further changes that may well be necessary, to improve customer service, to not only bolster the community's confidence in the long-term viability of the franchise, but to attract new customers and new advertisers as well. I most certainly wish all involved the best of luck. I'm sorry I wasn't asked to be a part of things again, but quite frankly, I was tired of people not being honest and straightforward and it was time to leave, whether they wanted me back or not, because I was never going to be asked to be anything more than just "the radio guy." Am I bitter? No. Disapointed? Yes. I had much to offer and management chose not to take advantage of it. I wonder how much of that might be that I'm older than every other front office employee by at least 20 years?
Well, that's it for now. Thanks for your time and by all means, please keep checking back for not only Jimmy updates, but to keep in touch as well. I've made many good friends during my time in Kearney and I'd like to stay in touch with you. If you'd like to stay in touch as well, feel free to write me. Have a great spring, okay?
John, Kim, Jimmy, Snoopy and Smoke
J_Meissner@msn.com
