The Final Word on Mickey Porter

Mickey Porter wrote his last column for Thursday, October 19, but he did not get the Final Word.

Here’s what Porter wrote:

The Final Word
Because of the newsroom staff reduction, this column is being discontinued after today. It’s been a lot of fun. Thanks for your support through the years.
~Mickey Porter

Here’s the word he got from Mitch:

Subject:: last word, last column
From: "Mitch Mckenney"
Date:Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:54:45 -0400

hi mickey,
mizell's going to use your last word in a handoff sunday, so the column running thursday ends with the AARP item.
sorry we're losing you. we'll cobble together a column to fill the space, but it won't be the same.
-- mitch

Mitch McKenney
Features Editor
Akron Beacon Journal
44 E. Exchange St.
Akron, OH 44328
330-996-3543
fax 330-996-3695
mmckenney@thebeaconjournal.com

Here’s Porter’s e-mail to the Managing Editor:

From: "Mickey Porter"
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:35:32
To:"Mizell Stewart"
Subject: mickey porter

Mizell, why couldn't I say goodbye like everyone else? I thought I
handled it gracefully. Do you disagree? Are you going to say the column
is a casualty of the staff reduction? I certainly hope so, because
anything else would be dishonest. I am not retiring. I am being asked to
leave. The readers should know that.

Here’s Mizell’s reply:

Subject: Re: mickey porter
From: Mizell Stewart
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:47:20 -0400
To:'Mickey Porter'

I'm going to say exactly that - and offer a few kind parting words of my own
- in my Sunday column.

On another topic: Are you ready to return to work in your new classification
of reporter?

Let's talk Thursday.

Thanks!
Mizell
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Not likely.