My name is Andrew Cousins, former President of Trent Radio, and now President and CEO of Kawartha Lakes Brewing Co. (KLB).

Some words and ideas on the entity we call John Muir, or as we have known him since way back when the net began, jkmuir@trentu.ca

My first encounter with the said individual was at a meeting of Trent Radio aficionados to increase the power of the station.  John and his legendary hair rose on a point of order to mystify us, subjugate any opposition, and generally wax poetic on the merits of more power, stronger message etc ... (I am sure his arguments were much more sophisticated than that) I remember being taken aback by his confident demeanor, and passive persuasive arguments.  It was then that I knew that I had to get to know this guy, and his hair.  So that I did, and I can now pass on what I consider the highest compliment possible by saying, I have no regrets.

John slowly introduced me to the wonders of Treat Radio and what could be achieved by local broadcasting: a focus on individual programming as opposed to a mainstream format.  That notion, that very idea that he taught me, still makes me listen to Trent Radio to this day, and still allows for intelligent criticism of radio as a whole.

I eventually became President of Trent Radio at a time of transition.  The seeds of discontent were in their infancy at Trent University, and I feared for the long-term well being of the station.  So I decided to do something about it. To be very frank, I aggressively sought out John as Manager of Trent Radio.  I saw in him the philosophical foundation that so few individuals have in their life occupations. John is a man with a passion for radio, and I genuinely believed he was the person to lead the station through tough times and easy times, to strike a balance between sensitive issues and freedom of speech.  The record speaks for itself.  Trent Radio far exceeds the standards of yesteryear.  John's leadership is a reflection of this creative stability.

On a personal note, John called me early this week to invite me to the ceremony today.  I am genuinely sorry I cannot attend.  I was moved that he remembered and acknowledged our friendship and deep mutual respect for each other.  We had not spoken for close to a year or more, but in a few short seconds the cobwebs were swept away, and we got down to the bone of discussion.  It was as if time had not passed and we were just shooting the bull like we used to, when I had time to smell the roses. I hung up the phone having realized we had not spoken for some time and wondered why.  I turned to my life partner Jacquie and said "I miss my conversations with John".  I remained silent for some time.  It was a time for feeling, a time to smell some flowers, a time to think about an honourable gentlemen and what he means to me, and what he has done for this community.

When you know someone that you can trust, you have one of three essential aspects of friendship.  When you have a friend that you respect, you have two of three.  When you have a friend that you learn from in every encounter, consider yourself blessed to share a tea and a smoke with them.  John, I bid you adieu my friend.  Your contribution to this community has been and will continue to be enormous.  Yours is not a voice lost in the wilderness.  Simply put, you have a made a difference and will continue to make a difference in a most positive way for this community.  I am so very glad to wish you well with this meaningful recognition of your essential being.


With complete respect

Andrew Cousins