I’m jumping ship for a day to talk about Orlando Florida and one of our Radio Personalities. Please stay tuned tomorrow and I’ll be sure to bash Politician’s and other idiotic personalities. Thanks for your patience.

Shannon Burke got the axe today as Real Radio dropped the bomb. Not to be trivial, but I think Burke shot himself in the foot on this one. His persona on the radio did not translate to his personal life. On air, he seemed somewhat cool, but apparently, off air his feet never touched the ground and his self control or lack thereof took a reel ride out the window. That said, what happened at his home is personal, between him, his wife and the sniveling little dog; Simple as that. His arrest was of interest only because of who he is. One only needs to look on the surface to find out why Burke is an essential part of Orlando’s identity.

Orlando is an eclectic blend of cultures, ideals and perspectives. It’s also a town still trying to define itself. It wants to be more than Disney World and array of other touristy treasures which lure people from all over the world. It wants to be known for its arts and culture, for sports and nightlife. It seeks to be defined not by what it is, but by what it wants to be. Our local celebrities like Burke reflect this somewhat evasive identity.

Unlike New York, San Francisco, Miami and other well known cities, Orlando is known only as a launching pad to the outlying amenities and attractions. People fly into OIA, pull up their checkered Bermuda’s, put on their sunglasses and off they go. Not down town. The local’s know the spots to go, have their favorite joints and make down town their place to go of places to go. Locals are important only to a point. They cannot generate the revenue for businesses to thrive, only survive. Sometimes that’s enough. In Orlando’s case, it isn’t.

Orlando needs to be seen as the place to go in Central Florida. Not, a place to go. A Ferris wheel, while different is still cutesy and an over sold eyesore. New Arena’s are good for locals. The Arts are o.k. as long as they are a part of the plan and not the crutch. What is needed instead of all these expensive, politically motivated concepts are personalities and Burke is one of them.

Take out the edge, remove the dirt and smooth the rough edges and all that’s left is fluff. Nice, cozy and quaint, “Let’s sip some tea Charles.” Why is NPR funded by donations and the taxpayers? It's boring and can’t generate revenue; a snooze fest. Reel Radio is missing the boat on this one. Today’s listener’s and local’s want to be awake, they want the over the top identity and need to have that certain edge. It is what does, will and needs to help seed Orlando’s eclectic identity tree grow and mature. Take away a popular DJ because he was fallible and yes, broke the law and we all lose. Orlando, Reel Radio and Burke. He can pay for his stupidity, but when it’s over let’s get some edge and bring Burke back. Just make sure, dogs stay away.