Gary England

[Dubya61]

Very much enjoyed the article.
Liked his comment about Emily Sutton's chaser:

He yelled at her again, more strenuously, to back up.

I suspect that his strenuous encouragement couldn't be repeated in a church.

[Dustin]

The story is featured on The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
Front page of the website! Thats pretty cool.

[soonerguru]

That was one of the best articles I've ever read. I'm floored at the talent of this writer.

How cool that the New York Times is featuring such flattering, authentic content about OKC!

[kevinpate]

Not so sure Ms. Sutton would find her mentions all that flattering, but overall, yeah, nice kudos to Gary E and dang decent overall.

[pw405]

FWIW, the author of this article, Sam Anderson, wrote the Thunder-themed "Fairy Tale Rise" article for NYT Magazine back in 2012, and has temporarily moved to OKC to write a book about the city.

How lucky we are to have him here to cover our city! Is he truly an out of stater that is drawn to OKCs rise, or does he have connections to the area?

His article was honestly one of the best I have read in a long time. To be quite honest, I've had very few, if any, responses to any form of literature that brought about such an emotional reaction as his article did.

[Tydude]

kellyogle: Gary @garyeOK will be back the week after next for a few days, but it was emotional tonight watching his last "FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE BIGTOWN".

[OSUMom]

kellyogle: Gary @garyeOK will be back the week after next for a few days, but it was emotional tonight watching his last "FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE BIGTOWN".

I thought he wasn't retiring until Aug 30th!

[Tydude]

I thought he wasn't retiring until Aug 30th!

Something is happening behind the scene at News 9

[kevinpate]

perhaps as simple as a summer vacation?

[venture]

perhaps as simple as a summer vacation?

Pfft. That doesn't make for good gossip!

[kevinpate]

Pfft. That doesn't make for good gossip!

When yer right, yer right.

[Tydude]

Everyone it looks like Gary Last day on the air will be Wednesday Night

[Prunepicker]

Really? I haven't had that impression. Does anyone really know
what's going on? I'm going to investigate this.

[Prunepicker]

Here's a link to his new position.

Click

I must say that he over dramatized what was happening at the
moment of any storm. However, he was always in line with the
political corruptness at the moment, i.e. nothing is happening but
I need to scare you into believing that some is happening.

I hope he'll still be around for "I'll keep your advised" humor and
entertainment.

[soonerguru]

Well kudos to the New York Times for writing the best piece ever on Gary England, and just in time for his retirement.

[Tydude]

tornadopayne: Every newscast @NEWS9 tomorrow will reflect @garyeOK 's amazing 41 years at @NEWS9. His dedication/contribution to Okla. is unprecedented.

[MWCGuy]

I can't help but, think that Gary is leaving because he is more or less fed up with the way weather coverage has to be delivered in today's world. I think this last storm season did him in and he may feel like he and his profession put more lives in danger than it saved. It was just a short time ago when he talked as if he would never leave his post until they wheeled him out on a stretcher and delivered him to the mortuary.

I am probably wrong but, I get the feeling he tried to resign and walk away and Griffin was scared he wold go elsewhere or start his own web based company people could follow online. Therefore, they created a position where he could still enjoy his passion and stay a part of Griffin.

Had he just simply decided "Hey, it's time to hang it up and retire." He would have just simply retired and walked away from Griffin and the weather business all together. Let's face it the man probably has enough money were he could live a cushy life until God called him home.

[Prunepicker]

I can't help but, think that Gary is leaving because he is more or less
fed up with the way weather coverage has to be delivered in today's
world. I think this last storm season did him in and he may feel like
he and his profession put more lives in danger than it saved.

You may be on to something. A few 'storms' were blown out of
proportion, too. The thought that we need sensationalism is
just wrong.

[MWCGuy]

I still can't believe David Payne took his place of all people. I remember hearing Gary say on air a few years back. "Every thing is okay with this storm folks stay with us we will get you through this. There is nothing going on that requires people to get all worked up yelling at each other."

It was a clear jab at Payne and Morgan because, I was flipping back and fourth at all three channels on that particular storm. They were the only ones carrying on like that.

Fox 25 was not on the air and Rick Mitchell was as cool as a cucumber. In fact Mitchell, made it a point to cut his chaser's off when they started getting hyper. One night he told one of them bluntly, "We don't need the excitement, take a moment and we will be back with you." He did not go back, to that chaser he stayed with Chris Lee who had a calm head and was conveying information as if it were 95 and sunny outside and he was getting hit by hail and straight winds.

I think the only reason why Payne got the job is he was already used to being pegged out like a runaway weed eater during storm coverage so he was a perfect fit. Not to mention he had a loyal following at KFOR.

[Prunepicker]

I still can't believe David Payne took his place of all people... etc...

What's the line? Is it "Bingo! We have a winner!"

Four drops of water just hit my windshield at SW 29th and May. The
Pollo Regio roach coach isn't evacuating, because nothing is really
happening, but we may have an F10 on our hands.

Seek shelter now! Seek shelter now!

[kevinpate]

I'll miss Gary E. Not a fan of Payne. Fortunately, there's venture79 and OKCtalk. As for the few bad storm days that Norman sees from time to time, made it this far so can't really complain.

[Tydude]

This is from Kelly Ogle Facebook page just letting everyone know what is going to happen over at News 9 once Gary Step down
https://www.facebook.com/KellyOgleNe...42072005848169

Just to clarify:
David Payne is taking over as News9's Chief Meteorologist, and his storm chasing days are pretty much over.. David will be the man in charge in the News9 Weather Center.
And he brings a very unique insight to the position.
David has seen, by far, more tornadoes UP CLOSE than any other Chief Meteorologist in Oklahoma and probably the entire nation.
He shares Gary's passion for Oklahoma Weather, and Gary's commitment to keep us all safe.

[Dustin]

This is from Kelly Ogle Facebook page just letting everyone know what is going to happen over at News 9 once Gary Step down
https://www.facebook.com/KellyOgleNe...42072005848169

We all saw this coming. I would much rather prefer Michael Armstrong as chief meteorologist because his coverage during May 20th was excellent. Nothing against David and I'm sure he is happy to take it and will be a wonderful chief. I just feel he won't be as happy. He belongs on the road chasing tornadoes!

[SoonerDave]

I'll miss Gary E. Not a fan of Payne. Fortunately, there's venture79 and OKCtalk. As for the few bad storm days that Norman sees from time to time, made it this far so can't really complain.

Without exaggerating a bit, Venture here and in his Virtual Weather War Room was easily 20 minutes ahead of most other media in analyzing and reporting things as they were happening. Even in the events of those days leading up to the storms, I was able to relay info (prelim watch info, svr outlooks, things like that) to a local disaster prep person who later advised me I was easily 15-20 minutes ahead of their sources, and wondered how I did it

Think we're seeing the leading edge benefits of new media here.

[ou48A]

Thank you Mister Gary England.
Job well done!