Random Pixels

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

Gerald Hampton

Gerald Hampton with visitor to KOCT's 2016 Open House

Congratulation to KOCT board member Gerald Hampton.   Gerald  was named as the 2017 recipient of the City of Oceanside Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award at the annual commemoration celebration hosted by the North San Diego County Branch of the NAACP and the City of Oceanside on January 16, 2017.  The Community Service award is an annual award given to a resident of the City of Oceanside or MCB Camp Pendleton who exemplifies the ideals and teachings of Dr. King and who has served the community in volunteer activities over a long period of time.  I first met Gerald when he served on the Cable Commission. Gerald, is a retired U.S. Marine Corps member  , and has been a long-standing member of the North County chapter of NAACP.

Former Oceanside City Councilmember Sam Williamson, Sr. passed away on January 8^th at age 81. KOCT worked with Sam on many productions including the building of the Heritage House during the 1988 Centennial Season—I remember Sam was a ‘can-do’ kind of guy and watching him  jump on to a construction BobCat and helping to prepare the site where the house was being built. Sam was also featured in our story of the Oceanside Rose Float and Civic Center documentary.   KOCT is replaying a Living Legacies featuring Sam Here is the schedule for the Living Legacies episode featuring Sam Williamson.

Channel 18 - 8:00AM & 8:30PM
Monday (1/23) Wednesday (1/25) Frid...ay (1/27)

Channel 18 - 8:00AM & 8:30PM
Tuesday (1/31) Thursday (2/2)

You can also watch the episode on your smart phone, tablet or computer by clicking below.

YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/RAyKRlHRrKE
VOD Link - http://koct.org/…/liv…/detail/living_legacies_sam_williamson

Sam Williamson

New Season of Journalist Roundtable

A weekly blog from Tom Reeser, KOCT’s Executive Director

A new high-definition season of Journalist Roundtable began with our first show on January 5^th.  The program was Hosted by Kent Davy and he was joined by Alison St. John of KPBS.  If you missed the premier KOCT will be replaying the program throughout the month of January on KOCT’s Channel 18-the Community Channel and as Video On Demand via KOCT.ORG.

Check out the great guests we had in our first JRT of this New Year: 

• Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery- we asked him about the major projects being built downtown and parking issues. We asked him about the recent local elections, his future political plans and about the new Aquatic Center approved for El Corazon.
  
  • Leslie Gaul, CEO of the California Welcome Center, Oceanside, discussed bringing Agricultural Tourism to Oceanside. Viewers might not be aware of the large amount of agriculture in Oceanside and the significant revenue it generates. However, rising land prices, the high cost of water and other factors will affect the future possibilities of Ag-Tourism in Oceanside.
    
  •  Shasta Gaughen is the Pala Band of Native Americans’ Environmental Director. She discussed the recent purchase of sacred land that was designated to become the Gregory Canyon Landfill. She discussed this historic purchase and the agreement that will see housing and retail development on surrounding property.
    
  • Chris Kydd is the Associate Publisher of The Coast News Group. Despite the challenges facing newspapers, this regional paper has not only thrived but expanded coverage over the past few years.   Chris talked about the factors have led to the paper’s success and his future plans for the newspaper.
    
    A great way to stay informed about North County is be tuned into KOCT-North County’s Channel.