Staff file photo by Skip Lawrence Young

Young, who has discussed on-air the squabble with station general manager Doug Hillard, left the "Frederick 's Forum" studio with 10 minutes remaining in the show.

The former City of Frederick alderman, who was interviewing Frederick County Commissioners president Jan Gardner, said he got "a little hot under the collar" after he played a voicemail from Hillard regarding the contract over the air.

"I probably should have listened to it first," Young said. "I still would have told the listeners what was going on."

In the voicemail, Hillard expressed frustration with the dispute.

Hillard, who wants to alter the tone of the show, called Young popular.

"I think that was kind of a stunt on Blaine's part, to put that voicemail on the air and use it as a negative (tool) and put on some public pressure, if you will," Hillard said.

Frank Mitchell, the station's program director, finished the show.

"There's been a lot of discussion about what direction his program should take and he likes to put out into the open whatever is going on," Mitchell said. "What he was talking about on the air should be resolved by next Saturday."

"Frederick 's Forum," which airs Saturday mornings has, on average, 5,000 listeners, Mitchell said. It is also rated the No. 1 radio program among Frederick County adults 35 and older.

"From my standpoint, I would like to broaden the appeal of the program to have it be more inclusive. That is to say provide a broader point of view," Hillard said.

The contract squabble is entirely between Hillard and Young, and does not involve Clear Channel, WFMD's parent company, Hillard said. Young declined to say how much his current contract, which is negotiated annually, is worth.

Young's perspective tends to be pro-business and conservative, Hillard said, noting he would like to the show to be more inclusive.

"I guess my style is a little edgy sometimes," Young said.