In Lithgow there have been a number of recent changes to the programming and on air staff at 2LT/Kiss FM. One not so amicable staff change went public this week when the local newspaper published a letter from the former PD Joel Helmes explaining his view of why he left the station.

He wrote to the Lithgow Mercury:

Sir,

I feel obliged in the interests of the many people who have supported and encouraged me and welcomed me back to Lithgow to explain why I am no longer with Radio 2LT.

I was with 2LT as news director and breakfast host for more than two years until leaving in mid 2004 to take up a promotion with another company in Queensland and to advance my career.

When 2LT was facing technical and staffing problems last year I was ‘head hunted’ and invited back to Lithgow to be part of what I was told would be a new look structure for the station under the new administration.

I was excited at the prospect of a new role as program director and the station management announced that I would be hosting a new local issues talkback program that was to replace two hours of the John Laws Show.

Everything was ready to go when there was what I saw as a bizarre turn of events when, two days before the new format was to start, the manager who had been brought in from South Australia, told me the program was to be axed and that with other changes being planned, my services with the station would no longer be required. No reason was given…

Now I’m back in Lithgow, out of a job, and with a mortgage to pay…

I also hope that other long term employees of 2LT face a better fate in their employment.