WCRD's "Radio Sweetheart" will interview Muncie's two main mayoral candidates this week.
Current mayor Republican Sharon McShurley will appear on the show at 10 p.m. Wednesday. Her challenger, Democrat Dennis Tyler, will answer questions at 9 p.m. today.
"Originally we wanted it to be a live debate with both candidates, but due to some scheduling issues we ended up having to move it to two separate nights," WRCD General Manager Eric Needleman said. "We're obviously still very excited to have both these people agree to be on the air and think it'll be a valuable experience for students to be able to really listen to them and understand what they have to say that's pertinent to us."
Needleman, junior international business and Spanish double major, said WCRD has always wanted "Radio Sweetheart" to be a show where students could hear from prominent people on campus and in the community with whom they might not otherwise get the chance to interact.
Freshman exercise science major Garret Wagner said he isn't interested in listening because he doesn't feel like what happens in the mayoral race has a large impact on him on campus.
"I live here during the year but just on campus," Wagner said. "I just don't really focus on politics right now. I'm just trying to focus on school."
The show has previously featured President Jo Ann Gora and coach Pete Lembo, among many others. DJ David Boulton, senior magazine journalism major, is largely responsible for landing the interviews, which he said can be difficult when people are hard to get in touch with.
"Basic email messages are easy to ignore, so you pretty much just make sure they have to talk to you face to face," Boulton said. "I would show up at the democratic office and just be like, ‘Hey, I'm just waiting for Mr. Tyler.'"
Boulton has worked with WCRD for three years and said he appreciates broadcast because it doesn't filter interviews for the audience.
He also said he hopes students tune into 91.3 FM to listen to the mayoral candidate interviews because "Gora isn't the only leader in the community. It's important to be informed about [the community]."
"I feel like local government isn't very well represented within the campus, but technically, we are citizens of Muncie for four or so years," Boulton said. "As elections have proved in the past, students can have a pretty great impact on local government. We might as well know what's going on."
Angela Ebert, freshman music education major, said she is interested in listening to what the mayoral candidates have to say.
"It will be good to hear what their opinions are," Ebert said. "It's good to be informed so I think it's a very worthwhile thing. BSU is in Muncie so I think it can affect things here."
A mayoral debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Northside Middle School on Bethel Avenue.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
