Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Media Death topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westland pauses for WLND director Terry Packer after sudden death
Summary
Westland City Council opened its March 17 meeting with a moment of silence for WLND Communications Director Terry Packer. Family members and WLND colleagues spoke at the meeting about his role with the station and community events, and Mayor and council offered condolences.
Westland City Council opened its March 17 meeting with a moment of silence and public remarks following the unexpected death of WLND Communications Director Terry Packer.
The council held the silence before the regular agenda; Council President Mike McDermott asked Packer’s family and WLND colleagues to join the meeting to share brief remembrances.
"We've suffered a terrible loss," said Dan Packer, identified at the meeting as a family member. "I just wanted to thank Westland for the tremendous, incredible outpouring of love. It will never be forgotten."
WLND colleagues described Packer’s leadership and daily work with the station. A WLND producer said Packer stepped into his director role and ‘‘embraced it’’—holding one-on-one meetings with staff, pushing morale and programming, and supporting fundraising and community events. WLND staff noted he had helped sustain the station through staffing and morale challenges and had worked at the station in other capacities before becoming director.
City officials also recognized Packer’s contributions to city events. Deputy Mayor Kyle Mulligan told the council that Packer was instrumental in organizing Westland’s annual dog vaccination day; the city reported a record number of dogs vaccinated at the most recent event.
No policy or administrative actions were taken related to WLND during the meeting. Council members and members of the public offered condolences to Packer’s family and to WLND staff; council members said the city would continue to work with the family and station leadership on any follow-ups.
The council proceeded to its regular agenda after the remarks. Several speakers at public comment and city staff later cited Packer’s event work and community outreach as lasting parts of his legacy.
