Following a two week suspension for comments made on his personal Facebook page criticizing Rush Limbaugh on the day of his death, Woodward Communications Rock 105.7 WAPL Appleton WI has parted ways with morning host Len Nelson.
Woodward released a brief statement noting, “After careful consideration of all contributing factors, including violations of our employment policies, WAPL and Woodward Radio Group have decided to end morning show host Len Nelson’s employment. We are planning for the next chapter of the WAPL morning show with Rick McNeal, and we will keep our loyal listeners and advertisers informed as we make those decisions.”
Nelson wrote the following on Facebook regarding his termination:
As stated by Woodward, Rick McNeal, who has hosted mornings with Nelson from 1985 until 1999 and again since September 2003, will remain in place.
Original Report 2/18: Woodward Communications Rock 105.7 WAPL Appleton WI has suspended morning host Len Nelson for comments made on his personal Facebook page about Rush Limbaugh.
In a statement on WAPL.com, Woodward wrote, “Recently we were made aware of a social media post placed on a personal Facebook page by one of our employees, Len Nelson. His personal views are not reflective of the core values of WAPL nor of Woodward Radio Group. We are deeply committed to being good people. We appreciate our listeners, sponsors and advertisers and want to assure each of you this matter is being addressed swiftly. Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns, we are listening.”
While the original post has been deleted, a listener took a screenshot of it alleging he personally attacked him in comments and called on others to call the station. Nelson would write a lengthy apology in part stating, “As you might surmise, my actions have come with a personal cost. I’ve been indefinitely suspended from my job on the WAPL morning show and it’s possible, after further consideration by the company, that I will be terminated. I understand their decision but I hope in the coming days to work together with management to find a resolution which will allow me to continue to serve WRG, a company I’ve greatly enjoyed working for, by doing the job I’ve loved for decades. I remain willing to take whatever steps that might entail and I look forward to the opportunity. That my foolish and incendiary Facebook activity has jeopardized that is a hard shot to take but it’s one with which I must and will deal. To those of you with whom I’ve admittedly sparred too harshly, I sincerely apologize. I should have had more respect for each of you. To those of you who have supported me along the way, thank you. But please do me a favor and take a moment to do what I have done here. We should all reconsider how we interact with those with whom we have differences. There must be a better way than the path I’ve too often tread. I wish I had done such self-reflection earlier but I believe we can all learn from our mistakes. I’ve taken a look into the mirror and what I saw is not the best person nor the best employee I can be. I pledge to try harder and be better.”
Nelson is on his second long stint in mornings at WAPL alongside Rick McNeal. He and McNeal originally were part of the station’s morning show together from 1985 until 1999 and returned in September 2003.
