Synergy Radio News Director Faces Four Years for Drug Possession

[XLFD]

From the Mason County Press: 

Local broadcaster arrested for drug possession

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. – Local news broadcaster Steve Ruba was arraigned today on a charge of delivery of marijuana. The 49-year-old Ludington resident was arrested Sunday at 8:02 p.m. by Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Iris Road.

He was arrested with about 20 grams of marijuana in his possession.

Ruba is being held on a $3,500, 10 percent bond. A preliminary hearing is set for July 9 at 11:15 a.m. The offense is a four-year felony.

Ruba is the news director for Synergy Broadcasting which owns seven radio stations including WLDN, WKLA and WKZC, among others.

ANALYSIS:  I know Steve Ruba from when he went to school in Scottville, we took the elective newspaper and journalism class together.  He's a basically good guy that has made a good career out of radio journalism; if you tune into the variety of radio stations he does the news for, you'll find him doing a very competent and creative job. 

 

This Saturday, less than a day before he got stopped and caught with twenty grams (about 0.7 ounces) of marijuana I chatted with him at the Relay for Life, and I warned him after talking with me that Sheriff Kim Cole (who walked a lap or two) will start wondering about him, just because he stayed in my vicinity taking to me for a few minutes taking about local news and behind the scenes facts.  He shrugged it off with some bravado; I hope he can do the same with the charge, since I have never known Steve to have to resort to such devices.  Even though his brother, Dan Ruba, let it be known during the recent prelim for the Sean Philips (Baby Kate) murder trial that he (Dan) did marijuana. 

 

But barring any ill intent of the possession on Steve's part, he will just more than likely be one of the casualties of war in the often-ruthless, often-senseless battle against drugs that would rather see basically good and productive people like Steve Ruba sit in prison for four years, when the punishment almost assuredly does not fit the crime.

 

Each of the four judicial candidates for the 51st Circuit Court were asked by the MCP the queston as to whether there was a victimless crime.  They all could not think of any.  Maybe they, and us, should look harder.   

[XLFD]

Most 'journalists' around here believe that since 'access' and 'success' both end with the same five letters, that they must go together.  But to achieve both, they feel you need to follow the first syllables of each word-- you have to 'act' and 'suck' around the power brokers of the community.  The journalists I look up to are ones that pursue the story and the truth, usually defying the power brokers in their quest to do so.

[wildfire]

That is so dum maybe he has a medical issue n uses it for medical reason, the guy makes a living n owns the radio stations , sounds like someone just wanted to put another innocence person away cause mason county needed more money for another piece of the pie, or was it just planted on him for some other reason, or is it to take the heat off about the girl that was not wanting to have some baby that was in prison or jail that mr. cole wouldn't aloud her to have abortion for, who's baby was it, is the question? they was a reason why she didn't want it cause she knew who did her wrong n then she must of got threaten in the joint, but one day she will have her pay back. and retired or not it will still be known

[XLFD]

 While news of the arrest was filtering throughout the area, the COO of Synergy Broadcasting, Richard Young put out this news release (as seen in Mibuzzboards) :  "THIS IS RICHARD YOUNG, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND GENERAL MANAGER FOR THE SYNERGY BROADCAST GROUP. SYNERGY OWNS AND OPERATES SIX RADIO STATIONS OVER 9 DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES COVERING POPULATIONS IN BENZIE, MANISTEE, LAKE, MASON, OCEANA AND MUSKEGON COUNTIES. OUR NEWS FLAGSHIP STATION, WLDN 98.7 FM OR NEWS 98 SUPPLIES NEWS INFORMATION TO ALL FIVE OTHER STATIONS.
ON SUNDAY, JUNE 29, WLDN FM NEWS DIRECTOR STEVE RUBA WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH POSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, MARIJUANA, WITH INTENT TO DELIVER.
RADIO IS A SMALL BUSINESS, OUR STAFF IS SMALL, WORK HOURS AND DAYS ARE UNCONVENTIONAL, JOB RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN STAFF MEMBERS ARE MOST OFTEN CONNECTED. AS A RESULT, OUR STAFF FUNCTIONS MUCH LIKE A SMALL FAMILY. NOW A MEMBER OF THAT FAMILY HAS USED POOR JUDGEMENT, MADE A MISTAKE, AND HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME.
DUE TO THE PUBLIC NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS, SYNERGY EMPLOYEES, OVER THE DAYS AND WEEKS TO COME, WILL NO DOUBT BE QUESTIONED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR BUSINESS AND OUR COMPANY. FOR THAT REASON, I ASKED ALL FULL TIME SYNERGY BROADCAST EMPLOYEES TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION ABOUT WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE REGARDING THIS UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT.
ALMOST ALL EMPLOYEES EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINING EMPLOYMENT OF OUR NEWS DIRECTOR. AS A RESULT, STEVE WAS GIVEN THIS WEEK OFF TO GET HIS PERSONAL AFFAIRS IN ORDER AND HE WILL RETURN TO WORK NEXT MONDAY, AND WILL REMAIN IN OUR EMPLOY, UNTIL THERE IS A RESOLUTION TO THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM. THERE WILL BE NO NEWS STORY REGARDING HIS PERSONAL SITUATION AND HE WILL NOT COMMENT ABOUT IT.
STEVE RUBA’S WORK RECORD AT THE SYNERGY BROADCAST GROUP IS EXEMPLARY, HIS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION IS SECOND TO NONE. OUR COMPANY IS STAFFED WITH MANY PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK HARD TO PROVIDE NEWS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATION 24 HOURS A DAY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO THE PUBLICS WE SERVE.
I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO AGREE WITH MY DECISION. I WOULD ASK THOSE IN DISAGREEMENT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THOSE SERVING OUR INDUSTRY MAKE MISTAKES, BUT MAY NOT AFFECT THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITES AND PERFORMANCE. I BELIEVE THAT IS THE CASE IN THIS SITUATION.
WE LIKE AND RESPECT OUR MANY LISTENERS, AND THE HUNDREDS OF LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ADVERTISE ON OUR RADIO STATIONS DAILY, MONTHLY AND YEARLY. THE SYNERGY BROADCAST GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM AND INTEGRITY.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR UNDERSTANDING…AND THANK YOU."

If we are to take the release at its word, Steve Ruba is going to be doing his job starting tomorrow, while the Wednesday court hearing looms in the short distance.  While it is refreshing to see 'loyalty' being shown to Steve, we will keep tabs on whether this 'radio family' lives up to its words if Mr. Ruba runs into a gruff and energized Judge Cooper when it comes before him.

[XLFD]

Not counting our radio stations and this humble forum, our news media in the county and beyond are willing to convict anybody prior to any sort of arraignment or hearing, it's a bit of a repayment for the extra access they are allowed by our local officials and police.  Everyone is presumed and labeled guilty, and if for some reason they are in that small percentage that gets vindicated, their success story gets ignored or their victory over our county's brand of official injustice is diminished to the point that their innocence is irrelevant.

 

In Steve Ruba's case, he is vindicated somewhat by the commenters on the COLDNews and MCP websites.  Usually, the readers are quick to jump on the bandwagon of what's reported being accurate and damning to the accused, but that hasn't happened.  At the COLDNews Facebook site here is all the comments that story has received, with most complaints about the law, the cops, and the system.  There is hope for sanity despite the media: 

"If this was anyone else, there wouldn't be such a huge story about it. What's so special about this guy that he gets his own article instead of the regular mention in the arraignments section?".

"Legalization"

"Such a shame that we turn people into criminals over such petty nonsense. 20 Gs isn't even really that much anymore. 4 year felony over less than 200 dollars? Come on. That's $0.14 a day (rounding up on both sides). Let the man write a freaking check and get back to his job."

"The state is getting as much money as they can before they decriminalize it."

"They need to worry more about the heroin and crack that is really bad here.... Nothing being done about that..."

"Who really cares! Marijuana is here to stay! Just get a medical card and they can't do anything to you! What a waste of tax payers money! They should be fighting REAL crime. Probably that STUPID SSCENT TEAM ENTRAPING ANOTHER INNOCENT PERSON!!"

"No green card com'mon man"

"One day mason county will b kool again just not right now. In it for the $$$$$ I say."

"Hopefully he gets this nonsense sorted out quick"

"Obviously thought Ludington was an easier market for distribution than GR..."

"So?"

"fricken cops"

"It's legal in some states and not in others. How chaotic and surreal can our 'laws' possibly be? Besides. 20 grams?! You've got to be kidding me. C'mon, police dept., there are actual REAL crimes out there!"

"You know what they say about the police..."

"They must be bored in Ludington lol."

"Legal in the state of Washington..."

"Sorry to hear that news."

 

[AQUAMAN]

"Innocent until proven guilty in Mason County"? Since WHEN? That old adage disappeared way back when, and that's a Very Looooong Time Ago Now. Best thing Ruba can do is get a crack-shot attorney that specializes in this from out of town.

[XLFD]

Found out through the court this morning that the pre-lim for this was cancelled on Monday, as the prosecutor and Mr. Ruba worked out some sort of plea deal that will have him charged with a misdemeanor, rather than the felony.  Now he only has to worry about whether Judge Cooper will hold any prior traffic offenses or parking tickets against him when the plea deal comes in front of him for his approval.  If he does, maybe it's time to go into shock-jock mode for the humble news director.

[XLFD]

 Local radio news director Steve Ruba, 49, of Ludington, was sentenced to one year of suspended driver's license, 305 days of license restrictions and counseling for possession of marijuana on Tuesday in 79th District Court after an arrest earlier this summer on Iris Road. He may serve one year in jail at the court's discretion. Judge Peter Wadel told him he may not have, buy or use alcohol or illicit drugs. 

http://www.shorelinemedia.net/ludington_daily_news/news/local/artic...

With the local news we've had over the last few years, you almost can't blame our area's news directors from resorting to strong drink and illicit drugs.

[Willy]

You have to give him credit for taking responsibility for his actions, admitting to it and taking his punishment.

[XLFD]

The judge's sentence was a bit more harsher than what I heard from an involved party would be the likely outcome, a couple of months of suspended license.  Poor guy will now have to figure out someway to get from Victory Township to his work in Ludington this winter around 4 AM before the roads get plowed and without him driving.   But it's better than jail or prison time.

[AQUAMAN]

I thought this arrest had to do with possession, not DUI or DWI. Even if they said with intent to deliver, now, If so, the drivers license has nothing to do with the entire matter here, and should not affect his DL priviledge. If not, then it's a criminal offense. Was he tested at the arrest scene and found intoxicated too? I didn't know Mason County had any way to legally test for drug incapacity while driving, except the dui type tests given. Puzzling, and now, even more confusing. Can someone clarify? Thanks. 

[XLFD]

I am surprised about the license suspension myself being that the only offense was non-traffic oriented.  Nor was there stated in the available record any reason of why he was stopped in the first place.  I will seek some clarification.

[AQUAMAN]

It would also be of interest to know who his attorney was. This kinda reminds me of another slick backdoor deal. Suspend the DL instead of prosecute the true legal offense? Who you know, not what you did? I wouldn't bet that the St. of Mich. SOS's office couldn't give him a restricted (hardship) license for "to and from work" either just yet! That truly would be a colossal farce it true...lol.