On a running total so far, the Akron Beacon Journal has lost the expertise of 14 staff members with 264 years of experience in covering the news in the Akron area. These were not laid off, but volunteered to leave, sometimes in the hope of saving the job of a friend.
Are they the lucky 13 plus one or just unluckly? Only time and their own conclusions in the future, will tell.
Heading the list is Diana Evans with 32 years of experience. She started at the Beacon Journal in 1974 at the age of 17. She is now on leave working on a huge new media project which is just about ready to launch. Former top BJ types are helping with the effort. More about her and others on this list later.
Here’s the list by years of experience:
Diane Evans, 32, columnist who was on leave.
Debby Stock Kiefer, 28, Recipe Roundup and copy desk slotter
Jane Snow, 28, food editor
Mike Needs, 25, design editor and former public editor
Kathy Spitz, 22, health
Sarah Vradenburg, 22, editorial staff
Gloria Irwin, 21, business
Jocelyn Williams, 19, photographer
Mary Ethridge, 18, business
Dave Hertz, 15, business editor
Robin Sallie, 12, photographer
Andale Gross, 9, reporter and Guild Unit chairman
Kim Profant, 7, copy editor and design editor
Tim Good, 6, copy editor and design editor
[Note: Most of these people have or have had other duties.]
And here’s an alphabetical list:
Mary Ethridge, 18
Diane Evans, 32
Tim Good, 6
Andale Gross, 9
Dave Hertz, 15
Gloria Irwin, 21
Mike Needs, 25
Kim Profant, 7
Robin Sallie, 12
Jane Snow, 28
Kathy Spitz, 22
Debby Stock Kiefer, 28
Sarah Vradenburg, 22
Jocelyn Williams, 19
For want of anything better, we call this the BJ Retirees Blog Wall of Honor. Some might consider it a Wall of Shame. It will be a feature on our web site until Oct. 21
In the previous gutting of the BJ, in 2001, I think, more than 400 years of experience took the buyouts. They included Joan Rice, Tom Melody, the late Bill Bierman.
ReplyDeleteSince 13 volunteers add up to 264 years of experience, and there are at least 25 more to go, the latest savaging of the newsroom probably will exceed the sad record of the previous exodus.
I sure hope the BJ doesn't become another throwaway newspaper. Profitable, but a shell of its peak years.
The Beacon will never become a throwaway newspaper. There are still many good staf members doing a great job.
ReplyDelete