Randy Smith: A Cold, Heartless Business Monday, March 8, 2021 - by Randy Smith Randy Smith I have debated for several days about whether or not I should jump into the fray so to speak about the recent layoffs, dismissals or whatever term you want to use regarding the termination of nine employees at WTVC-TV last week. Since I know as much as anyone about what happened to my friends Dave Staley, John Madewell and Erin Thomas, I have decided to give my perspective. You see, the same thing happened to me in 2009. I came in for a meeting one day and found that I was going to be laid off after 15 years with WRCB-TV...sent to the streets with no job at the age of 58. It didn't just happen to me. It happened to sportscasters all over the country at the same time. It was almost as if all the TV stations had gotten together and said, "We can save money by eliminating our sports guys and hiring younger people to do their job for much less money."