Sunday, June 25, 2006

Grievances

Mark Ethridge, son of the late Beacon Journal Editor Mark Ethridge (1973-1976) and brother of BJ business writer Mary Ethridge, made the newspaper’s “Book Talk” column today. The younger Mark, who was managing editor of the Charlotte Observer in 1978-79, is the author of “Grievances” a novel about “nut cases” who wander into newsrooms. Narrator is Matt Harper who works the night shift at the fictional Charlotte (NC) Times. “Grievances,” 280 pages hardcover, costs $27.95 from www.newsouthbooks.com.

Also in Sunday’s newspaper was Mike Needs farewell column as public editor. Instead we will get pieces from Editor Debra Adams Simmons and Managing Editor Mizell Stewart III who will take turns telling us about how decisions are made that shape the printed newspaper. Mizell notes in the first piece that “the position of public editor at the Beacon Journal will be no more.” He does not explain how that decision was made. Mizell says, however,
you can call him at 330.996.3860 or send e-mail to mstewart@thebeaconjournal.com.

Needs, who says he has lots of sticky notes left with ideas for columns he will not write, departs with a nice quote from another editor: “What we should be about is wide open and boisterous, unleashed and rambunctious, story-telling, mirror-holding, fact-imparting, truth-telling. That’s our history, and we should embrace it with gusto.”

Are you paying attention Debra and Mizell?

Finally, in Sunday’s newspaper Michael Douglas is trying to tell us something in a column with the headline “A Knight to Remember.” He writes:

“John S. Knight made his share of errors in judgement. He opposed the purchase of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Is he telling us that was a mistake? Here’s part of a quote from JSK about that:

“Well, I knew they had a run-down plant, with very poor equipment You could stroll through the plant and just see the disarray that it was in. I knew it would require millions and millions of new invested capital. I knew that the paper, on the daily side, was not at a very strong position in circulation and advertising.”

That might just be why McClatchy re-sold it.

Still want to read more? Just click:

About Mark

From Mizell

From Needs

From Douglas






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