Passionate Marinites Take to the Airwaves

A broadcasting neophyte and old pro from the radio world have teamed up for a simple formula to bring Marin's political issues to the local cable channel near you.

San Rafael attorney Lawrence Strick had long been an avid follower of politics, but it took last year's opening of the Community Media Center of Marin for him to share his passion with the masses. Six months in, the creator and co-host of "Marin Voices and Views" is finding a comfort zone in front of the camera for a show tapping a wide array of topics.

"I learned if you take (the center's) training, you could produce your own show," said Strick, 55, of Mill Valley. "It occurred to me it would be interesting to have a show that focused on Sacramento issues and how they apply to Marin."

To bring some experience to his burgeoning venture, the veteran trial lawyer of three decades simply walked down the hall of his Gerstle Park office building. His co-host, longtime Bay Area radio personality Peter B. Collins, has an office in the same building.

"I follow politics, but I don't know about broadcasting," Strick said. "I walked over with this idea and pitched him. It helps to have someone more knowledgeable about broadcasting." 

Collins, a Marin resident since 1989, said he's a big believer in local access. The half-hour show, he felt, was the right forum to bring him before television cameras for the first time.

"I've encouraged other people to blog, podcast and express themselves to help supplant cutbacks in coverage from newspapers and other media," said Collins, 57. "We decided we'll be the media. For me, there's a real lack of coverage of Marin issues and personalities, particularly on television."

Collins noted that it often takes a crime story or something high profile to bring Bay Area news trucks into the county while many routine items fell below their radar.

"Our show reflects our interest in politics and issues that matter to Marin," said Collins, a mainstay of Bay Area airwaves since the mid 70s with stints on stations spanning the dial from KOME to KGO, KRQR, KNBR and KSFO. Among his current projects is a podcast self-described as a national perspective on news from a progressive point of view.

Strick, who describes himself as a progressive Democrat, said the show wasn't about "gotcha" journalism or an overly partisan tone.

The hosts said they try to include at least one elected official from Marin and one from Sacramento on each episode presented in a basic question-and-answer format before a bare black backdrop. Shows air the first and third Mondays on Marin Community Channel 26.

Strick said the duo determined the county had more than 320 elected officials. Each month, all those names go into a bowl and they pull out one to invite for a future taping at the center's A Street studio in downtown San Rafael. So far only one or two have declined the invitation, Strick said.

Issues touched on to date include the Marin Clean Energy Authority, the management transfer of Marin General Hospital, a debate on the proposed desalination plant, the state budget battle and the incorporation of the Sleepy Hollow Fire Prevention District into Ross Valley.

Michael Eisenmenger envisioned just such a local enterprise when he took the reins of the Media Center in early 2009. He hoped more community activists followed suit.

"I think Peter and Larry really raise the discourse to the kind of programming that's possible," Eisenmenger said. "They have a really good caliber of guests. It's been quite impressive."

Collins said despite his industry tenure, he'd taken advantage of the studio equipment and facilities in training for the show to upgrade his own skills.

For Strick, the several hour class on how to run a studio was well worth the opportunity to pursue his labor of love.

The project has become a family affair for Strick as his son 21-year-old son, Aaron, put together the show's opening montage of county landmarks, a family friend wrote the musical accompaniment and wife, Barbara Strick, handled final editing.

"Having done it, it makes me feel good to have the ability to present other folks with issues that, I think, are very important and do not get non-histrionic news," Strick said. "It's just here it is. This is going to affect your lives."

Marin Voices and Views airs on Marin Community Channel 26 the first and third Monday of the month. Episodes can also be viewed at www.marinvoicesandviews.com

Peter B. Collins' free podcasts are available at www.peterbcollins.com