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Firestation Auto in Tyler

April 28th, 2012

I don’t know whether I’m like most people or not, but when it comes time to purchase a new car, I find that I become the worst of procrastinators. I hate the process. Sure I enjoy checking out vehicles on line or casually looking at cars on the lot, but I don’t like being rushed through a process, I don’t like collecting and filling out paper work, and while showing off the new ride to family is fun, I quickly tire of the phrase “Look at you! Moving up in the world huh?!”

Honestly, I’m not much of a car guy. I know what I like, but my knowledge is mostly limited to the practical. I also know when it’s past time to let an old admittedly beloved vehicle into the pasture for retirement.  Being that I drive an hour to work every day, one of my biggest concerns was gas mileage. Combine that with my safety and reliability concerns, my target market for cars makes for a fairly boring sale. Since the last couple vehicles I’ve owned have been private sales, I approached the dealerships somewhat reluctantly.  After shopping around on line, I decided to visit Firestation Auto in Tyler. As the name implies the dealership has been housed in an old fire station for over twenty years. While I have heard their ads on KTBB, and have family members who’ve bought from them in the past, I was still really surprised to find their sales techniques extremely hands off. Owner, operator, salesman, Lance Brown made himself available to answer questions, but otherwise I was free to search the lot looking and sitting in vehicles. After browsing around a little, I asked to test drive a vehicle of interest. The car was a late model, Toyota Corolla. It had low mileage, ran very well, and most importantly, gets about thirty five miles to the gallon. Only when I was ready to buy did Mr. Brown begin the process of checking my credit and putting together a deal.

Lance took all of my financial information into consideration and then worked with the lending institution to hammer out a great payment plan with a really low, fixed interest rate. In the weeks since, I have actually come to enjoy my commute. Looking back at my experience with Firestation , I am still struck by how low pressure, and laid back their sales staff was. Even with my young son exploring their office, the whole attitude, from their side of the deal in particular, was easy, reasonable and relaxed. For those considering a new vehicle, try Firestation Auto first. It’s a different car buying experience.  For more info, check them out on line at http://www.firestationauto.com/homepage.html .

Glenn Beck Comes to Tyler

April 26th, 2010

On Saturday the 24th of April, Tyler, Texas played host to one of the leading voices in the contemporary American media. Glenn Beck is now widely considered one of the leaders of the new conservative surge in America. He is a radio and television host who champions traditional values, and opposes the march of progressive socialism in American government. While talk radio has become a game changer in American politics, Glenn’s show is less likely to appeal to policy wonks and political junkies. He generally has a larger more philosophical approach to the nation’s problems. The event was sponsored by Glen’s local radio affiliate KTBB AM 600.

Overall, the Oil Palace in Tyler is not a great venue. The chairs were too tightly packed together and a local musician played what sounded like the same song three times over but I can’t be sure, due to the fact that the sound system was in and out initially. The audio problems were eventually fixed before the proceedings were seriously underway however. The first thirty minutes or so consisted of patriotic music, and short introductions. State Rep. Leo Berman spoke first, stoking the crowd’s patriotic fires when he promised to work toward state legislation similar to that of Arizona, requiring any presidential candidate to demonstrate that he (or she), is constitutionally eligible to hold the office. Congressman, Louis Gomert, talked about his opposition to the stimulus and health care bills, and Governor Rick Perry spoke passionately about state’s rights and politically resisting the overreaching power of the Federal government. Mr. Beck’s relaxed almost subdued presentation contrasted sharply with the more electric stump speech given by the governor.

Despite the presence of the area glitterati, what happened at Tyler’s Oil Palace last night was not a campaign rally, or a meeting of activists. It was more like a lecture, of the kind that ought to be taking place on our college campuses. Mr. Beck, his tone passionate but thoughtful, took the audience on a walk through America’s providential history. He emphasized the difference between American individualism or individual liberty, and European group think, or socialization. As a semi-regular listener to Glenn’s show even I was surprised by his tone and content. Mr. Beck is not the fire-brand propagandist that his opponents claim. He is a thoughtful well read man, more concerned with principles than political issues.

The evening’s tone was nearly religious in the best sense of the word. Speaker after speaker emphasized the country’s need to restore its religious foundation. Glenn stated repeatedly that America was in need of revival. Even with the religious tenor, there was no hint of sectarian differences, or any trace of discrimination of any kind, just a group of Texans and Americans with the desire to remember who they were and to try to become that again.

Events like Mr. Beck’s visit, (or Sean Hannity’s last summer for that matter), are good for East Texas. They bring dollars and attention to our region. But beyond that they are good for traditional, conservative Americans who want to contribute to the nation’s restoration. Having guests like these men helps to connect Tylerites to national events. I for one am very grateful to KTBB for sponsoring these kinds of local programs. For more information on AM 600, go to www.ktbb.com. Readers can also search this site for the title “National Politics and Local Coverage.” To find out more about Glen Beck visit his site first at www.glennbeck.com.

National Politics and Local Coverage

January 8th, 2010

Found at 600 on the AM radio dial, KTBB has been broadcasting to East Texas for many, many years. They carry a complete line-up of national talk radio programs. The daily routine features the three biggest personalities on the radio today, from Fox News personality Glen Beck in the morning, to famed political commentator Rush Limbaugh from 11:00 until 2:00, to another Fox News host Sean Hannity in the afternoon. KTBB 600 AM also has play by play Dallas Cowboys football. If your in or around the Tyler and East Texas area and need to hear the Cowboys football game than 600 AM should work.

As expected the Tyler Texas radio station’s views tend to the conservative side politically. Even the community affairs discussions seem to reflect a sort of common sense view of area news. While this may annoy the more progressive or liberal among us, the station does mirror the predominate views of East Texans.

The station also does a great job of keeping Tyler updated on local emergencies. If you rely on satellite for television service, you know how frustrating it can be to lose your signal in the middle of storm coverage. KTBB is a great back up for keeping ear out for those ever changing Texas weather patterns.

But KTBB is not longer confined to the AM dial. You can find local news weather and sports on 92.1 FM. Tyler favorite, David Smoak keeps us updated on the world of sports. “Smoaky,” broadcasts during the afternoon drive time and has become an institution in East Texas radio.

So if you like common sense, conservative politics, and your local news and events up to the minute, tune into KTBB 600 AM, or 92.1, whether at home, in the car, or at work. You’ll find you are both entertained and informed. See also http://www.ktbb.com

Choices Among Tyler Texas Newspaper and News Sources

November 17th, 2009

Local Tyler News Sources Top 6 List

Since the physical form of “the paper” is almost not relevant anymore I have listed the top Tyler Texas news sources in our city below. You may click on the links below and read the latest news stories in Tyler from any of these news organizations.

Why Has The Physical Newspaper Lost Its Appeal?

In Tyler Texas you have several different avenues to consider when picking your news source. My generation for the most part will not subscribe to a newspaper as we get our news from Google, Drudgereport, Fox News, or some of the other liberal media sources out there owned by the government. A newspaper is still a great thing and has a nostalgic place in my heart but not enough to want to pay a monthly subscription fee. 

Tyler Paper

Tyler Paper

 Maybe once a year I might break down and buy a Tyler newspaper but that is on very rare occassions. I do however have a great idea for the Tyler Texas newspaper in helping with building up their newspaper subscriptions back to where they once were. Has anyone reading this ever heard of the Amazon Kindle or the latest new device, the Apple tablet? The Kindle is basically a hardware device that can load electronic books onto it and many believe the Apple tablet is going to popularize devices like the Kindle. A Tyler TX newspaper could offer the Apple Tablet or Kindle for free or at a discount to all their current subscribers and save money on printing and delivery. The monthly subscription could still be in place but instead of delivering a physical newspaper a Tyler Texas resident simply needs to download the latest epaper onto their Apple tablet or Kindle device.

The Apple tablet is getting a lot of buzz from many newspaper companies as they attempt to revitalize their subscription services that have dwindled down to practically nothing. I think people in Tyler TX would be more excited about an Apple Tablet than a Kindle device I think exploring this new technology with the rest of the newspaper industry would be worth it for the Tyler Paper.

Using The Kindle As A Newspaper Reader

The Kindle is one of the simplest electronic devices out there and much easier to use and master compared to a personal computer or laptop. If the Tyler Texas newspaper were to implement their paper on a subscription basis through an Apple tablet or Kindle ebook reader I would personally be more likely to subscribe to it. 

KLTV Tyler TX

KLTV Tyler TX

 People would be able to buy and download ebooks onto the Kindle as well as read the newspaper. The incentive would be in having a free Kindle or discounted Apple Tablet that could double as a reader for Amazon books you buy. Paper subscriptions would increase and the newspaper would arise to the digital age a little later but not too late.

Newspaper Marketing Companies Should Be Used By Tyler Texas Newspaper Companies

There are newspaper marketing companies out there that could setup the Tyler Texas newspaper with a way to implement something like this. I think it would be a great benefit to old and new newspaper readers. It would probably be cost efficient to even have newspaper workers offer to come into the homes of those who would like a tutorial in how to use the Apple Tablet or Kindle to read the paper. Considering that one tutorial would get someone started in never having to wait for physically delivery of the paper again I think it is a win win.