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KOOL memories, this time from Phoenix
By Norm Seeley | October 10, 2007
Norm Seeley reporting on KOOL-960-Phoenix, from 1-17 in Phoenix Arizona
Last Sunday I was looking through a metal file case I have in the closet in my office and found several pictures. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of pictures documenting my broadcasting career.
The one above was taken on I-17 in Phoenix. That day with photographer in tow, I reported from a cargo spill on the freeway.
Each afternoon I would come to the station, located in downtown Phoenix and take this NewsCrusier out on to I-17 which at that time in history was the “Only” freeway in the city. I would report several times an hour what was happening with traffic.
One time, I had just gotten into the car and the Highway Patrol Radio, it was a two-way so I could talk to the dispatcher as I was a Reserve Officer, came alive with a call that there was a woman walking on the freeway. The dispatcher called for a unit but they were all busy or not very close. I was the closest vehicle. I called in, told her my location and that I would respond. She acknowledged my transmission and I was on my way.
I-17 is a pretty straight freeway so I could see the woman next to the center median a good mile before I got to her. As I approached I turned the light on in the back window and came to a halt in the center lane. I got out of the car, and approached the woman. I knew her. She was the mother of a friend of mine who I had meet at his house. I called her by name and helped her into the car, and carefully moved into traffic and off the freeway. I called the Highway Patrol Dispatch and told them I would take her home.
Trying now to remember other stories about reporting traffic back then, that is the only one that comes to mind. Most of the time it was not even that exciting, if you even consider this story exciting. Interesting maybe, and only because I knew the woman.
I enjoyed working at KOOL, it was the CBS affiliate and had an AM, FM and television station. I spent most of my time there, about 10 years on the AM, then a couple of years on the FM. During that time, I did nightly voice overs for the TV news, and narrated several documentaries.
Topics: Broadcasting, Phoenix |
October 13th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Norm, as a Phoenix native I so appreciate your look back at the 60s here in the Valley. I remember of course when I-17 was “the freeway.” As I sit on the 101 each day heading to the office I wonder how we could’ve ever got along without the opportunity to “park” our cars on many different motorways as we have today. Phoenix was, and is, a city with a unique blend of southwestern culture fused with the influences of those from other parts of our country. A welcoming city that exudes optimism and promise.
By incorporating the soundtrack of that decade into your commentary you make it easy for us to relive and experience that special time in Phoenix. Great photo of you in action here…I guess we all wish we had that car right now!
Keep up the great commentary, tunes, and images!