Russ Martin Gives $30,000 to Fallen Officer's Wife

Say what you will about Russ Martin - and, believe me, I've said a lot - the guy deserves credit for keeping his Listeners Foundation up and running even though his gig at Live 105.3 got axed. In keeping with a promise he made upon establishing the foundation after 9/11,...

By Richie Whitt

January 8, 2009

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Say what you will about Russ Martin - and, believe me, I've said a lot - the guy deserves credit for keeping his Listeners Foundation up and running even though his gig at Live 105.3 got axed.

In keeping with a promise he made upon establishing the foundation after 9/11, Martin today will hand deliver a $30,000 check to Regina Smith, widow of fallen police officer Norm Smith. The fund was fed by Martin's band, co-workers and listeners of The Russ Martin Show, taken off the air when the station switched to 105.3 The Fan back on Dec. 8.

"It stays intact," Martin said of the foundation last night in an "exclusive" interview with Channel 8 that was otherwise useless yet somehow garnered big ratings. "Not gonna stop whether we're on the air or not."

Martin is arrogant, abrasive and he may or may not be guilty of beating the crap out of girlfriend. He also, at least temporarily, has his heart in the right place. - Richie Whitt

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