Blueberry Broadcasting Conservative Talk “VOM” 103.9 WVOM-FM Howland/Bangor and 101.3 WVQM Augusta ME is facing significant backlash after firing morning host 94 year-old morning host George Hale while he was on vacation in Florida.

WABI-TV reported that Hale, who co-hosted mornings as the sole liberal voice on the station with Ric Tyler, was informed last week while on vacation that they were making changes to the show and he would no longer be a part of it. The station subsequently rebranded the morning show as “Maine’s Morning News” with fill-in host Paul Wolfe joining Tyler.

After a social media backlash from listeners, advertisers, local political voices and other broadcasters, Blueberry Chief Operating Officer Bruce Biette told listeners yesterday morning, “There is one notable departure as the show transitions and that is George Hale. George has been a part of this show for over 20 years. His contributions to the community go beyond the show. Simply put, George has had a magnificent radio career. He’s the reason a lot of us chose to get into this business. We here at Blueberry Broadcasting appreciate everything he has done for VOM.”

Hale reportedly has turned down a tribute show from the company. He has spent 70+ years in Bangor including nearly 50 years at 910 WABI and WABI-TV in multiple on-air and programming roles, but was best known as morning host and sportscaster doing play-by-play for the University of Maine and local high schools.