Thanks to all for tuning in
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful support you have shown me during my 16 years doing morning and noon weather reports for WSOC-TV, Charlotte. It was always great to be in your area, have people recognize me and introduce themselves. Meeting viewers is one of the best things about being on TV.
You may have noticed that I am no longer on the air and wondered why. In February WSOC told me I was finished there. I have not been given a reason for my dismissal, but WSOC has been telling folks who call or email that I have “retired.” I assure you that is not the case. We still have young children at home, 8 and 16 years old ó they won’t let me retire yet! Hard as it was to get up at 1:30 a.m. every day to be at work by 3 a.m., I did not leave WSOC by choice.
My reason for writing this letter is to properly say goodbye to my viewers and thank you for all the terrific years. I regret that WSOC did not allow me to do this on-air, and actually I was not allowed to even say goodbye to my co-workers. Had I been given the opportunity to address you on-air, I would have said thank you for watching my weather segments, thank you for your loyalty and thank you for the times you introduced yourselves when you saw me. Thank you for 16 remarkable years.
ó Mark Watkins
Mark Watkins is a former meteorologist for WSOC-TV in Charlotte.