By Tom Zytaruk

Goooooood Morning, North Delta!

Guy Gentner is on the air. Internet radio, that is.

The NDP MLA for Delta North has set up his own online radio show, which he calls "Live from the Leg" Progressive Talk Radio. He broadcasts out of his constituency office in Nordel.

Nowadays politicians tend to be kept on a short leash by their party's leadership and always seem to be "on message," but Gentner aims to change that.

"It's pretty raw at times," he said of his broadcast.

He came up with the idea to set up his own internet radio show while watching a comedy broadcast online.

"I think this is a first."

Now, he says, he's taking on the "corporate press."

"I'm a pirate," he joked. "It could change the whole medium."

"I call it internet town hall."

This particular town happens to be very big.

"That's the beauty of the internet." Gentner noted he can be heard from Kenya to the Punjab to Delta. One guy called in from Calgary after hearing him online.

Visitors to his website - guygentner.ca - need only click on the play prompt at the top right hand side of the page to listen in. He's live Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., interviewing folks generally on issues concerning his constituency. What impact the South Fraser Perimeter Road will have on North Delta is a popular topic. He's also discussed public-private partnerships and environmental and housing issues in the community, among other things.

One of his higher-profile guests was former NDP Premier Glen Clark. Clark was "a good catch" for his show, Gentner said, especially as the former premier has stayed out of the limelight. He's also interviewed former NDP cabinet minister Corky Evans.

Gentner insists his show is not merely a propaganda tool.

"The premier's welcome to come on," he offered.

Meantime, the MLA says he's got a growing audience and "the numbers are showing up."

"Let's put it this way, I'm not going to take on Bill Good soon. But we're going to get there some day."

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