Life After Sinclair
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Life after being told, "You're Fired"....
Larry Blunt had moved to Asheville from Denver to work at WLOS. His goal was to work in the market until he retired.
Sinclair owned WLOS had other plans.
Blunt said he was totally blindsided by his termination back in January. The Anchor of the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts was told by Sinclair that his services were no longer needed.
The Citizens-Times writes that initially, Blunt and his wife, Jan, the former spokeswoman for Buncombe County Schools, considered moving to Oklahoma to be closer to friends and family. They were deeply moved, though, by the outpouring of support here and decided to pursue a new career in real estate.
"The year since WLOS told me my 'position was eliminated' has been quite the ride," Larry Blunt said in late December. "First, we thought we’d have to move — even rented a storage container and started packing. Then, following an overwhelming show of support from people across Western North Carolina, we decided to stay put and try a new career: real estate."
The classes and exams weren't easy, he said, but he and Jan passed and established themselves as "The Larry Blunt Team,” Realtors with Carolina Mountain Sales.
"It’s very satisfying to help people find the home they want and need, and make new friends in the process," Blunt said. "It’s also been good to step away from the negativity of TV news, while gaining an even greater appreciation for the people, beauty, and lifestyle of WNC."
Jan Blunt cited a quote from John F. Kennedy in her assessment of 2017's turmoil: "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future,” the former president said.
"Larry and I are excited about the opportunity our real estate career gives us to form new relationships and strengthen old ones, while enjoying a much better work/life balance than we’ve ever had," Jan Blunt said. "Bring it, 2018!
In the end, the outpouring of community support he and Jan got "was both overwhelming and humbling," Blunt said earlier in the year, and that caused them to rethink leaving the area for another TV job.
Now, the plan once again is to stay in their beloved mountains. For good.
