METHUEN — Ronald F. "Ronnie" Ford, the well-know former local radio talk show host, Methuen town councilor and school board member died this morning, a week after being diagnosed with cancer, his family said.
Ford was 75.
He served as a member of the Town Council (now a city council) for 20 years and also served on the Essex County Advisory Board, the Methuen School Committee and the Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee.In early 2001, he revived the popular "Hotline" talk show on Radio 800 WCCM, which had gone off the air in late 2000 after a run of more than 20 years.
The show tackled local issues, mostly political and often controversial.
"Sometimes I'm controversial, sometimes I'm not," Ford said at the time. "The main thing is to get the voice of the people out there. I'm sure I'm going to have some arguments with some people, but others I'm going to get along with great."
The Dewhirst Funeral Home of Methuen is in charge of arrangements.
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