SBA NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: June 4, 2008

Contact: Kate Herrington (802) 828-4422

PEG-TV DIRECTOR WINS SBA VETERAN CHAMPION OF THE YEAR AWARD

Michael Valentine, Executive Director of Rutland Region Community Television, has been selected as the 2008 SBA Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.  Valentine was chosen for the award based on his support and advocacy of programming for veterans.  Rutland Region Community Television is an independent non-profit organization providing cable access through public channel 15, educational channel 20, and government channel 21, also known as PEG-TV.

 Valentine was nominated by Bob LaPenna, Veteran’s Employment Representative, Vermont Department of Labor.  LaPenna praised Valentine for his assistance with yearly veteran programming and his generous provision of airtime, “even during the November election season when politicians are filling up the airwaves and prime time slots.” 

 “He always finds a way,” explained LaPenna.  “Given the challenge of working with so many agendas, it’s just outstanding how he finds a way to get the job done for everybody.”

 Valentine says he is motivated by a commitment to support freedom of speech and by a debt of gratitude to veterans who have risked their lives for the well-being of the country.  “We owe veterans everything, including freedom of speech,” Valentine said.  “They know they can come in here anytime and we’ll provide whatever assistance they need.”  Valentine offers a technical director, as well as one-to-one mentoring and classes on video production.  All services provided by PEG-TV are free, paid for by cable company profits as mandated by the federal government.

 Valentine credits his channel 15 production coordinator, Tom Leypoldt, with going out of his way to videotape events for veterans.  “I’ve never served in the military but I have friends who have,” Leypoldt commented.  “It’s the ultimate sacrifice, to put your life on the line for your country, so I’m glad to go out and videotape events like the Dodge House opening ceremony or the sendoff of troops to Iraq.” 

 In a moment of candor, Valentine said, “It breaks my heart that the soldiers returning from Vietnam were shunned.  They’ve been forever changed by their war experiences, and I just feel for that.  We shouldn’t attach politics to soldiers.” 

Relative to freedom of speech, Valentine says public television permits a flow of information and community expression not offered through commercial television.  “In order for gigantic cable companies to obtain a federal license to operate, they have to provide funds for training, facilities and the equipment to produce programming,” Valentine noted.  He also acknowledged that, while the internet provides free speech, “There is truth to the fact that we still need people to gather and disseminate local information.  Imagine what life would be like without that.  Imagine cable companies or giant corporations controlling all the information you receive, even misinformation, without any diverse opinions or ideas or thought-provoking comments.  I can’t imagine a world like that.”

Valentine had a rich and varied career before becoming Executive Director of Rutland Region Community Television.  A native of New York City, he grew “tired of the traffic and hubbub,” moved to Vermont in 1973, and attended Castleton State College.  He was a radio announcer and D.J. at WJJR and WHWB for ten years.  As radio become more regionalized, he “fell in love with” the concept of local TV programming and began working for Rutland Region Community Television, where he has remained for the past 14 years.  Valentine says he treasures “the sense of community” he feels through his job. “I’ve watched the mom and pop stores disappear and the giant corporations appear, but Rutland is truly local, truly community, and I’ll do whatever I can to hang onto that.”

In addition to radio and tv, Valentine has also been a stage and film actor, as well as a singer in church groups and musicals.  His last film was Illegal Aliens, in which he portrayed a character named “Agent Valentine,” and he also appeared in the movie, Diamond Run, which has been released worldwide on VHS and DVD.   
 “You know the old expression, ‘I am not worthy’?  That’s what comes to mind,” Valentine said of receiving the Veteran’s Champion award.  “It’s a humbling experience to be chosen, and I just can’t thank our veterans enough.”

Valentine was honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at a ceremony sponsored by Vermont Business Magazine.  The event took place at Burlington’s Waterfront Park, June 4, 2008, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.