PHILIPSBURG--One of the most recognised voices in St. Maarten, Lloyd Richardson, has retired from radio and passed on the microphone to Fernando Clark for the poplar midday programme “Viewpoint” and Sunday’s “People’s Voice.”
Richardson has been at the helm of PJD2’s popular programmes, which air Monday to Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00pm and Sundays from 10:00 to 11:00am, for the past 28 years and decided that it was time to give them up.
Fernando Clark says he is happy to continue the programmes.
Richardson will be missed by listeners and the radio station’s staff and management.
“Lloyd originally took over the programmes from Oral Gibbes, who had a similar programme before called ‘Issues.’ I am glad that the programmes continue to play a major role in the community.
“Myself and Wendell Moore, Christophe Emmanuel served as replacements from time to time, but in June I was asked to be the temporary host and just this month I got the word that Lloyd would not return and that it was decided for me to take over the programmes,” said an elated Clark.
“People’s Voice” took to the airwaves on August 26, 1987, produced by Richardson Entertainment.
Clark will make some changes to the long-running programmes, but the core of the shows will remain the same: to inform the population of what is going on and air out any issues that are on the minds of the community.
“I intend to make some changes, taking it one step at a time. I will assign a day of the week for young people to discuss current issues; will contact the Youth Parliament for their involvement.
“During the Carnival season from January to April, I would assign a day on the programme for the foundation to disseminate information to the public. The open forum format will be placed also during one of the days of the week. Bringing people closer and making them aware of what is going on in the community is my goal with the programme,” said Clark.
No stranger to radio, Clark has a number of radio programmes under his belt such as his talk show “Online” and 17 years as the co-host of “Culture Time.” Listeners also have the chance to view the mid-day programme on local cable TV station TV Carib and soon it will be on the Internet for streaming via the TV station.
“I also would like to get a young person to come on board with me, so that when I retire somebody else can continue the legacy of the programme. This is the way many radio hosts now get a chance to be a radio host and PJD2 radio is known for discovering on-air talent like that,” stated Clark.
Lloyd Richardson continues to visit the island frequently, but is concentrating more on spending time with his 14-year-old son who resides in the United States.