Views from the publisher

Here are the chief graphs in a story by Gloria Irwin on today’s BJ business front

Canadian publisher David Black won't become the new owner of the Akron Beacon Journal until Aug. 1 or later because paperwork to complete the sale may not be finalized until then.

The newspaper will go from Knight Ridder Inc.'s hands to ownership by McClatchy Co., where it will remain for a few weeks, Black said Wednesday.

``I'm hoping August first'' will be the transfer date, Black said as he neared the end of a three-day visit to Akron to meet staff and tour the newspaper's facilities.

Black said he met with many staffers during his visit this week and learned ``how passionate people are about the newspaper.''

Staffers were as concerned about the newspaper's survival as they were about keeping their jobs, he said.

The new owner also met with officers of The Newspaper Guild, the union that represents some newsroom employees.

``I think, for the most part, it was refreshing to see an owner interested in growing the paper and making it better,'' said Paula Schleis, second vice chair of the local unit.

Black indicated he wants to increase coverage of community meetings, Schleis said.

In addition to meeting with staffers, Black met Tuesday with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, a Democrat, and Republican Party leader Alex Arshinkoff.

Click on the headline to read the full story by Irwin.

Blogger Note: Please excuse the reproduction of the Lew Stamp photo stolen direct from newsrint via scanner.