After 18 years on the airwaves sharing community news from throughout the Tri-Cities region,
Dave Light has officially retired from radio.

Every weekday at 10 a.m. on WKPT, WOPI and WTPK, Dave could be heard talking about a wide
range of newsworthy items, such as an upcoming community event, a fundraiser or a
celebration. A blood drive could be happening soon, or schools might be going back into
session.

Dave wanted to make sure you knew. Over the years, guests on his show included city and
county officials, business and community leaders, spokespeople from ETSU, Ballad Health,
Eastman Chemical Company, Niswonger Performing Arts Center and everywhere else in
between.

Just about anything interesting or important happening in the Tri-Cities, you would have heard
it on Dave’s radio program.

“The only thing I didn’t promote was politics, candidates running for office,” Dave said. “If I had
one candidate on, I felt like I would have to have their opponents, so I just stayed away from
the politics.”

Born and raised in Kingsport, Dave hails from the Cherry Street neighborhood of the Model
City. He graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1965 and then, while in college, Uncle
Sam had other plans for him.

The U.S. Army drafted Dave, and he spent two years in the service as a public information
specialist. One bit of interesting trivia – his neighbors while living at Fort Rucker (Alabama) – Al
and Tipper Gore.

Dave and his wife Rusty married in 1969; they have two daughters and three grandchildren
ranging from 5 to 22. In 1979, the family moved back to the Tri-Cities and a few years later Dave
found his true calling in his home town by becoming the first fleet manager for the City of
Kingsport.

During his tenure with the City of Kingsport, Dave oversaw Fleet for 14 years. In the mid-90s,
then City Manager Pete Connett brought Dave to city hall and added community relations and
public information to his duties. Eventually, “training” was added to his plate of responsibilities.

After nearly 25 years of service, Dave retired from the City of Kingsport in 2007. However,
instead of grabbing a fishing pole or buying a new golf club, Dave undertook an unexpected
second career.

“Janet Johnson indicated she was ready to retire from WKPT, and I got a call from them to see if
I was interested. By that time, Mrs. Light said you need something to do,” Dave said. “I said let’s
give it a try for six months. That was 18 years ago.”

For 18 years, Dave broadcasted his radio program from inside Food City on Eastman Road,
focusing on community news. Letting folks know about road closures, construction projects,
changes in school schedules, upcoming programs and activities and reminders about significant
events happening in the community, such as Fun Fest, the Christmas Parade or a fireworks
display.

One recurring comment that always got under Dave’s skin was when people told him there’s
nothing to do in Kingsport.

“I twisted a little bit when people would say that to me, but it’s just not true,” he said. “You
may have to hunt for it, and it may not fall in your lap but there’s more to do than you realize.”
Now that Dave has officially retired from both the city and radio, he plans to spend more time
with his family and still be involved in a number of volunteer endeavors, including at his church
and the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport.

“Working for the city was probably more rewarding because it offered me the opportunity to
meet folks where they were in life and help bring them along,” he said. “However, I’ll certainly
miss the radio. There’s something to be said of a routine, to get up in the morning, see what’s
happening for the day and get your thoughts lined up for a show.”