Dick Goddard, Cleveland's weatherman for nearly half a century, forecast on Wednesday that he's probably not going anywhere, despite an offer to buy him out of his contract.

Goddard, 78, perhaps Cleveland's most beloved television personality, said WJW Channel 8 had offered him a buyout that, if he took it, could end an on-air career as the city's go-to meteorologist and animal activist that goes back to 1961

"Everyone here who is over 50 and has worked for the station for 15 years has been offered a buyout, and that certainly includes me," Goddard said shortly after the 6 p.m. newscast ended Wednesday.

"I'm talking with my agent about it, to discuss things. But I love it here. The thing I really like to do is help animals" by sponsoring adoption programs. Goddard declined to reveal details about the offer.

Greg Easterly, president and general manager of the station that has employed Goddard for the past 44 years, confirmed that "a number of employees have been offered a voluntary buyout," but declined to say how many employees might be affected or the terms of the deal.

Although Easterly said WJW "is not in dire straits," he said the offer was prompted by the economic recession and losses in audience and advertising to cable TV and the Internet that have stripped jobs from broadcast and print media, including The Plain Dealer.

But, said Easterly, "Dick will be around."

Midstate01;412687 wrote:Goddard spoke at the Dining Out Ceremony for Kent State ROTC this last spring........ that guy is a complete f'n idiot. He said christians are the problem in the world, talked about drinking, and then said aliens wouldnt be coming to earth anytime soon because why would they wany people like us?

the dude was a total idiot and had the whole entire crowd silenced. Most awkward speech i have ever ever ever heard