For the first time since it was announced that WDSU meteorologist Damon Singleton is retiring Friday, Singleton has talked publicly and made a public appearance.
The man of the moment called into WBOK's Reality Check with Gerod Stevens on Wednesday afternoon as I was being interviewed by Stevens about my "rest of the story" column about Singleton's "retirement." He visited City Hall for a Damon Singleton recognition event hosted by Council member Freddie King.
Singleton didn't add to the retirement backstory, filling in the blanks about the dirty, shameful decision by WDSU management that 18-year veteran Singleton wasn't worthy of following 45-year veteran Margaret Orr as chief meteorologist when she retired in March. No one has been named as the station's next chief meteorologist. And Friday's noon newscast will be Singleton's last— at WDSU.
"I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring from this community," Singleton told Stevens as I sat next to the host at the station's Xavier University of Louisiana studio. "All the great words and the recognition...." He audibly sighed in disbelief.
"Brother," Stevens told Singleton, "I hope that they're getting the ....fact that they made a grave mistake. We were expecting you to get that chief meteorologist position."
"I can't say much. You guys know that," Singleton responded. "I'll tell you that it has been an overwhelming thing, not only for me but for a lot of folks here at WDSU. I'll just leave it at that."
"I'll have more to say in the future," he added.
During a special event honoring Singleton at City Hall, Singleton and his wife, Dr. Tami Singleton, sat at a table across from several City Council members, listening to thm heap praise on Singleton. Joining King were Council members Oliver Thomas, JP Morrell, Lesli Harris and Joe Giarusso. Some quipped that Eugene Green, a St. Augustine High School grad like Singleton, wasn't there to add "St. Aug, St. Aug, St. Aug," so they mentioned his beloved school on Green's behalf.
About two dozen of Singleton's Omega Rho Phi Chapter brothers sat in the first three rows of seats in the chamber, most wearing their purple-and-goal chapter shirts, as King, also a fraternity brother, led the proceedings.
When it was Singleton's opportunity to share a few words, he again emphasized how much he's been surprised. "When the announcement was made about my retirement, I expected to get some kind of response from the community. But what has been taking place over the last couple of weeks, the well wishes, the positive comments, the support that I've gotten from people I never knew, that I've never met and from everyone I do know... My fraternity brothers have been pretty incredible. All the guys I graduated with from St. Augustine. It's been incredible."
Just one more day with Singleton on air.
I know we can't wait to hear more.
We'll have to wait.
