There is finally a list on the BJ Retirees web site indicating the status of Beacon Journal staff members who were laid off in August. The list is compiled with the best information available from the Akron unit of the Newspaper Guild and staff members themselves. The layoff prompted a massive number of volunteer resignations by staff members with about 300 years of experience. Many of the laid-off staff members quickly obtained jobs elsewhere and therefore declined call back offers. There are, however, still a few still looking for work.
Click on the headline above to go directly to the list or use the link at the left to go to the Retirees web site.
Please send any additions or corrections to hliggett@sbcglobal.net
Also please feel free to leave any comments you may have.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Letter asks community support
The web site of the Beacon Journal unit of the Newspaper Guild displays a letter being sent to Beacon supporters asking them to e-mail publisher Edward Moss and new owner David Black to express their concerns about what has happened and could still happen to the newspaper.
Click on the headline to go to the letter on the web site at http://www.bjguild.homeip.net
An ad also may be published.
Here'a the lead on the letter:
Dear Beacon Journal supporter,
Several months ago, when the Beacon Journal was for sale, you showed your concern for your daily newspaper by expressing support for keeping the Beacon a strong, quality newspaper dedicated to maintaining the highest standards. We appreciate that expression and are convinced it effectively put bidders on notice that the Akron-area community feels a keen sense of ownership in its daily newspaper.
Now, we are asking for your help once again, to demand that the new owner, for his part, match your commitment to and interest in the Beacon as a premiere newspaper worthy of the Akron community. As recently as late June, that new owner, David Black of Canada, said layoffs of newroom personnel were unlikely and unnecessary. Only six weeks later, his publisher, Edward Moss, announced that 25 percent of the newsroom’s 160 positions were being eliminated. Since then, 27 employees from other departments have been let go. In recent years, you’ve seen your Sunday Beacon magazine disappear. You’ve seen the Sunday News and Views section, as well as the Saturday editorial page, evaporate. You’ve seen news bureaus in Hudson, Medina and Stark County close. You’ve watched the entire newspaper shrink, from local news to features to business and sports coverage. Without overstating the obvious, you are getting less than what you used to, less than what you expect and, we believe, less than what a thriving, five-county community of well more than a half- million people deserves and demands.
We are concerned that further reductions would lower the Beacon Journal to below any level considered journalistically acceptable to you, our readers. Of course we are trying to protect jobs. But, more than that, we are inviting you, our most loyal and vocal readers, to play a role in protecting your stake in the Beacon Journal and in the life of your community.
What we are asking of you today is to let the owner and publisher know that you are troubled that, by virtue of the deep layoffs that already have occurred, your Beacon Journal is less than what you want, that further cuts would be intolerable. Please e-mail Mr. Black at DBlack@blackpress.ca and Mr. Moss, at emoss@thebeaconjournal.com. Tell them what you expect and demand of your Beacon Journal.
In other Guild news, officers were elected by acclamation during a meeting Wednesd
ay, Oct. 18, at the Printer's Club. They are: Stephanie Warsmith, chair; Bob DeMay, first vice chair; John Higgins second vice chair; and Katie Byard, secretary/treasurer. These officers will serve until January, when the Guild's annual election for officers and executive board members will be held. Warsmith had been the secretary-treasurer, but now takes over as unit chairperson following the departure of Andale Gross, who took a job with the Associated Press in Kansas City. The above officers will complete the terms for 2006 and serve until the annual unit election of officers in January.
There is now a link to the Akron Unit Guild web site on our web site.
Go to our web site
Go to Guild web site
Click on the headline to go to the letter on the web site at http://www.bjguild.homeip.net
An ad also may be published.
Here'a the lead on the letter:
Dear Beacon Journal supporter,
Several months ago, when the Beacon Journal was for sale, you showed your concern for your daily newspaper by expressing support for keeping the Beacon a strong, quality newspaper dedicated to maintaining the highest standards. We appreciate that expression and are convinced it effectively put bidders on notice that the Akron-area community feels a keen sense of ownership in its daily newspaper.
Now, we are asking for your help once again, to demand that the new owner, for his part, match your commitment to and interest in the Beacon as a premiere newspaper worthy of the Akron community. As recently as late June, that new owner, David Black of Canada, said layoffs of newroom personnel were unlikely and unnecessary. Only six weeks later, his publisher, Edward Moss, announced that 25 percent of the newsroom’s 160 positions were being eliminated. Since then, 27 employees from other departments have been let go. In recent years, you’ve seen your Sunday Beacon magazine disappear. You’ve seen the Sunday News and Views section, as well as the Saturday editorial page, evaporate. You’ve seen news bureaus in Hudson, Medina and Stark County close. You’ve watched the entire newspaper shrink, from local news to features to business and sports coverage. Without overstating the obvious, you are getting less than what you used to, less than what you expect and, we believe, less than what a thriving, five-county community of well more than a half- million people deserves and demands.
We are concerned that further reductions would lower the Beacon Journal to below any level considered journalistically acceptable to you, our readers. Of course we are trying to protect jobs. But, more than that, we are inviting you, our most loyal and vocal readers, to play a role in protecting your stake in the Beacon Journal and in the life of your community.
What we are asking of you today is to let the owner and publisher know that you are troubled that, by virtue of the deep layoffs that already have occurred, your Beacon Journal is less than what you want, that further cuts would be intolerable. Please e-mail Mr. Black at DBlack@blackpress.ca and Mr. Moss, at emoss@thebeaconjournal.com. Tell them what you expect and demand of your Beacon Journal.
In other Guild news, officers were elected by acclamation during a meeting Wednesd
ay, Oct. 18, at the Printer's Club. They are: Stephanie Warsmith, chair; Bob DeMay, first vice chair; John Higgins second vice chair; and Katie Byard, secretary/treasurer. These officers will serve until January, when the Guild's annual election for officers and executive board members will be held. Warsmith had been the secretary-treasurer, but now takes over as unit chairperson following the departure of Andale Gross, who took a job with the Associated Press in Kansas City. The above officers will complete the terms for 2006 and serve until the annual unit election of officers in January.There is now a link to the Akron Unit Guild web site on our web site.
Go to our web site
Go to Guild web site
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Holy cannoli, has it been fun.
Food editor Jane Snow is leaving the Akron Beacon Journal, but she isn't hanging up her apron just yet. Jane will continue to write her BJ e-mail newsletter, Second Helpings, and there will be an open house with Jane next month when she will introduce the new food editor.
Jane wrote the longest goodbye yet for the front of the Premier (E1) section. It was 37 graphs, 95 sentences and 1,514 words.
Here’s the lead:
The year was 1978. I had never eaten a sauerkraut ball. I had never heard of Strickland's Frozen Custard. I had never dined in my car at Swenson's. I was young and svelte. All of that was about to change.
In the ensuing years, Akron literally would seep into my bones and pile up on my hips as I earned my daily bread by eating it, first as food critic and then food editor of the Beacon Journal.
I gained (and later lost) 100 pounds, and it has been delicious. But now it's time to say goodbye. After 28 years at the Beacon Journal (25 of them writing about food), I'm resigning to write cookbooks and dabble in other food adventures. But holy cannoli, has it been fun.
What she won't miss:
Writing a 25th how-to-cook-a-turkey story. Wading each week through dozens of press releases (a recent beaut -- ``Finding Holiday Joy in Soymilk.'')
What she will miss:
Everything else. At the top of the list is the friendship and encouragement so many of you have offered. I treasure the kind letters I've received over the years. Two stand out in my mind. An elderly reader, worried that I was working too hard, sent a copy of the food section from her home town in Tennessee and suggested I reprint the whole thing.
``It isn't as good as yours, but use it anyway and take the week off,'' she wrote.
The second was from a reader who began her letter, ``You don't know me, but you're one of my best friends. I have coffee with you every Wednesday morning.''
I can relate. I feel the same way about all of you. Each week when I sat down to write, I felt a personal connection. It was like writing a letter to a friend.
This isn't really goodbye. I plan to remain in Akron, so you may run into me at the grocery store or a charity event. Still, I'd like to thank you for enriching my life and reminding me daily that food is about more than sustenance. It is about love, family, comfort, history, healing, longing... essentially, life itself.
It was a pleasure sharing the feast with you.
Click on the headline to read the full story and sign up for Jane's newsletter.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Leo Osmar's lifetime job recollection
Retired Beacon Journal composing room employee Leo V. Osmar wrote down some of his recollections of the composing room in the 1960s and a special agreement between Knight Ridder and individual employes in addition to the International Typographic Union contract.
"There was an additional agreement printed and inserted in our individual copies of said contract but was in no way connected to or part of the contract, " Osmar writes. " It was not reviewed by International Typographical Union in Colorado Springs beforehand, but they overwhelmingly approved it after the fact. It was not a contract between the Beacon Journal Publishing Company and the Akron Typographical Union #182. It was an agreement between the Knight Ridder Publishing Company and each individual printer working in the Composing Room of the Akron Beacon Journal."
"Each printer was given life tenure at the Beacon Journal regardless of any downswing in business, fire, flood or Act of God. If I find my copy I will insert it.'
Osmar's recollections are on the web site. It is of no value now, but does anyone have a copy of that additional agreement?
"There was an additional agreement printed and inserted in our individual copies of said contract but was in no way connected to or part of the contract, " Osmar writes. " It was not reviewed by International Typographical Union in Colorado Springs beforehand, but they overwhelmingly approved it after the fact. It was not a contract between the Beacon Journal Publishing Company and the Akron Typographical Union #182. It was an agreement between the Knight Ridder Publishing Company and each individual printer working in the Composing Room of the Akron Beacon Journal."
"Each printer was given life tenure at the Beacon Journal regardless of any downswing in business, fire, flood or Act of God. If I find my copy I will insert it.'
Osmar's recollections are on the web site. It is of no value now, but does anyone have a copy of that additional agreement?
Friday, October 27, 2006
Saying goodbye to Mike Needs
Did you miss Mike Needs party at Larry's on Thursday night? No problem. Just click on the headline. Jim Arnold has a gallery of photos from the party on his web site. Here are two of the photos: One is Mike with Kathy Fraze and the other seems to be saying something about the crazy, upside dowrn world hereabouts lately.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Tom Reed off to Columbus Dispatch
Beacon Journal sports columnist Tom Reed was saved from layoff, but he decided to resign. He begins work as a feature writer at the Columbus Dispatch on November 1.
Here is Tom’s summary of his Beacon Journal career:
My start date at the Beacon was February 28, 2000. I was hired as a prep sports writer in the Canton bureau. Through attrition and good fortune I moved up the ranks. I covered LeBron James' transition from high school to the NBA. I have covered the past two Olympic Games in Athens and Turin. I began writing columns about three years ago. I wrote columns, features and enterprise for the Beacon the past two years.
My last day was Wednesday. I start at the Dispatch on Nov. 1.
I have been married for 14 years. My wife's name is Denise. We have a toy poodle (Finnigan) and a calico cat (Molly).
On the ABJ's current state I will say only that I'm very proud of the way people in the newsroom have come together during very adverse times. I consider the past six years the most memorable of my career. I will never forget the opportunities given to me by the paper.
Here is Tom’s summary of his Beacon Journal career:
My start date at the Beacon was February 28, 2000. I was hired as a prep sports writer in the Canton bureau. Through attrition and good fortune I moved up the ranks. I covered LeBron James' transition from high school to the NBA. I have covered the past two Olympic Games in Athens and Turin. I began writing columns about three years ago. I wrote columns, features and enterprise for the Beacon the past two years.
My last day was Wednesday. I start at the Dispatch on Nov. 1.
I have been married for 14 years. My wife's name is Denise. We have a toy poodle (Finnigan) and a calico cat (Molly).
On the ABJ's current state I will say only that I'm very proud of the way people in the newsroom have come together during very adverse times. I consider the past six years the most memorable of my career. I will never forget the opportunities given to me by the paper.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Bandy returns from Florida for visit
Retired veteran rewrite man Don Bandy was back in Akron during the weekend to attend the wedding of a grand niece in Hudson. His visit offered an opportunity to talk for nearly two hours about old times at the newspaper.
He gazed in amazemenet at the 16 names on the Blog Wall of Honor of retired staffers who represent a combined 291 years of service to the BJ. We talked about some of the talented reporters still at the BJ and even about some of the worst writers we could remember. It was Don's job to make them look good.
Don does not miss the big old house on Aqueduct Street or the tons of leaves and is enjoying life in Florida. . He is in his own condo, gets the Bradenton newspper and is within five minutes of the beach and near siblings.
His address is:
2770 71st St. Court West
Bradenton, FL 342009
He gazed in amazemenet at the 16 names on the Blog Wall of Honor of retired staffers who represent a combined 291 years of service to the BJ. We talked about some of the talented reporters still at the BJ and even about some of the worst writers we could remember. It was Don's job to make them look good.
Don does not miss the big old house on Aqueduct Street or the tons of leaves and is enjoying life in Florida. . He is in his own condo, gets the Bradenton newspper and is within five minutes of the beach and near siblings.
His address is:
2770 71st St. Court West
Bradenton, FL 342009
Linda is back in BJ library
Linda Golz is back at her old desk in the Beacon Journal library, but she will be moving up to a job as a reporter or copy editor. Linda was a librarian for almost 14 years. She began working at the Beacon on January 1, 1993 and became full time in 2001. She was a correspondent for the newspaper for almost 21 years. Except for clerk Dan Roese she probably had the most service of any of those laid ott.
Here’s the report from Linda:
I am in the library this week, then I am not sure where. Either I will be a copy editor or a reporter. They haven't decided yet.
I have many years of experience as a correspondent (back when we used to be "stringers" and we wrote a lot, including feature stories and other bigger stories, I was Linda Frederick! HA) - more than 20.
I also worked for other newspapers, so, I do have some experience but they aren't sure what to do with me, I suspect.
Glad to be back, though, even though nothing feels quite right at the BJ yet. Still, it is part of my "family" and I feel like I came "home" to my people. Many are gone. It is so strange.
I hear that they are not yet done with layoffs. Production, I hear from a friend down there, is supposed to get hit soon, and I don't know where else. Sigh.
At least in the newsroom, we Guild members had the contract to sort of protect us, and make things a little less painful, as do the teamsters.
I am married to Mike Golz [He works at Summit Racing in Tallmadge], have three beautiful grown daughters who have busy, active lives (and one is planning a wedding on 7/7/07) and I don't know what else to tell you.
Life at the BJ is unsettling, but, I am glad to be back. Must really be weird for the retirees. Who could have ever imagined?!
Linda Golz
Contact Linda at Frolz@aol.com
Here’s the report from Linda:
I am in the library this week, then I am not sure where. Either I will be a copy editor or a reporter. They haven't decided yet.
I have many years of experience as a correspondent (back when we used to be "stringers" and we wrote a lot, including feature stories and other bigger stories, I was Linda Frederick! HA) - more than 20.
I also worked for other newspapers, so, I do have some experience but they aren't sure what to do with me, I suspect.
Glad to be back, though, even though nothing feels quite right at the BJ yet. Still, it is part of my "family" and I feel like I came "home" to my people. Many are gone. It is so strange.
I hear that they are not yet done with layoffs. Production, I hear from a friend down there, is supposed to get hit soon, and I don't know where else. Sigh.
At least in the newsroom, we Guild members had the contract to sort of protect us, and make things a little less painful, as do the teamsters.
I am married to Mike Golz [He works at Summit Racing in Tallmadge], have three beautiful grown daughters who have busy, active lives (and one is planning a wedding on 7/7/07) and I don't know what else to tell you.
Life at the BJ is unsettling, but, I am glad to be back. Must really be weird for the retirees. Who could have ever imagined?!
Linda Golz
Contact Linda at Frolz@aol.com
Balogh designs freelance future
Beacon Journal artist Dennis Balogh has decided to resign and devote his full energies to his freelance business. Here is his sketch of things:
I started at the Beacon in late January 1985. I came in as an illustrator/designer working on illustrations for page fronts and doing design work for Beacon Magazine. I guess my earliest achievement was redesigning the Sunday Magazine and then art directing its look
for the following years of publication.With our freelance budget Beacon magazine featured illustrations done by our staff artists and numbers of nationally famous illustrators. We received notable recognition from design competitions across the country.
When the magazine folded all my contributions were then with the newspaper. When the magazine returned Kathy Hagedorn was the new art director.
I've been an assistant art director for the department for most of my years here. My main contribution has been in illustration and design and in managing the work flow of the editorial art department. My illustrations were part of the graphic content of the Pulitzer prize winning Goodyear takeover coverage.
Our art department was a major contributor in helping develop the visual strength of this paper. I enjoyed and am proud to have been part of such a talented group. Over the years good talent left and strong new talent entered. We really made good hires. We'll still have four of those hires left to keep things rolling.
I began freelancing a half dozen or more years ago. In recent years the business has picked up. I do magazine feature illustrations for various out of town publications. Illustration isn't that big locally.
I also do a good deal of portraiture. Some is for publication and some for framing and hanging. Recently, I did the past presidents of Samford University in Alabama. The past two years I illustrated the top CEO's of the year for New York Stock Exchange Magazine.
I ' ve had an agent in New York over the past two years. She has brought a few higher end clients my way. I'm counting on that to continue.
With freelance illustration you have to hustle and make deadlines. Of course we all know about deadlines. And you really don't want to turn down a job. You want people to think you're always available for them. The toughest part of freelancing is keeping the work coming. That will be my biggest challenge.
Aboout the Layoffs: If buyouts were offered there would not have been one layoff. That would have kept the newsroom morale better intact. From the art department's view. Feedback has come our way that the new owner does not see a strong need for staffing of but a few visual people. Our paper is very strong visually and the readers respond to that. You have to realize what it takes to stay visually strong.
Can we educate our new owner on what it takes to put out a good daily paper? Or is he too set in his ways? I guess our editors are doing their best.
About my family: Its just me and wife Patty now. Our daughter Lori is 25 and started a job in New York City less than a month ago. She is a designer for a graphic design firm. My two sons are in town they are age 31 and 29. No grand kids, because of no marriages. We have our fingers crossed that the oldest may get engaged come Christmas time. These young folks are slow movers compared to my day.
Sincerely,
Dennis
I started at the Beacon in late January 1985. I came in as an illustrator/designer working on illustrations for page fronts and doing design work for Beacon Magazine. I guess my earliest achievement was redesigning the Sunday Magazine and then art directing its look
for the following years of publication.With our freelance budget Beacon magazine featured illustrations done by our staff artists and numbers of nationally famous illustrators. We received notable recognition from design competitions across the country.When the magazine folded all my contributions were then with the newspaper. When the magazine returned Kathy Hagedorn was the new art director.
I've been an assistant art director for the department for most of my years here. My main contribution has been in illustration and design and in managing the work flow of the editorial art department. My illustrations were part of the graphic content of the Pulitzer prize winning Goodyear takeover coverage.
Our art department was a major contributor in helping develop the visual strength of this paper. I enjoyed and am proud to have been part of such a talented group. Over the years good talent left and strong new talent entered. We really made good hires. We'll still have four of those hires left to keep things rolling.
I began freelancing a half dozen or more years ago. In recent years the business has picked up. I do magazine feature illustrations for various out of town publications. Illustration isn't that big locally.
I also do a good deal of portraiture. Some is for publication and some for framing and hanging. Recently, I did the past presidents of Samford University in Alabama. The past two years I illustrated the top CEO's of the year for New York Stock Exchange Magazine.
I ' ve had an agent in New York over the past two years. She has brought a few higher end clients my way. I'm counting on that to continue.
With freelance illustration you have to hustle and make deadlines. Of course we all know about deadlines. And you really don't want to turn down a job. You want people to think you're always available for them. The toughest part of freelancing is keeping the work coming. That will be my biggest challenge.
Aboout the Layoffs: If buyouts were offered there would not have been one layoff. That would have kept the newsroom morale better intact. From the art department's view. Feedback has come our way that the new owner does not see a strong need for staffing of but a few visual people. Our paper is very strong visually and the readers respond to that. You have to realize what it takes to stay visually strong.
Can we educate our new owner on what it takes to put out a good daily paper? Or is he too set in his ways? I guess our editors are doing their best.
About my family: Its just me and wife Patty now. Our daughter Lori is 25 and started a job in New York City less than a month ago. She is a designer for a graphic design firm. My two sons are in town they are age 31 and 29. No grand kids, because of no marriages. We have our fingers crossed that the oldest may get engaged come Christmas time. These young folks are slow movers compared to my day.
Sincerely,
Dennis
It's last column, but it isn't goodbye for Jane
Here's the lead on Jane Snow's final "Tidbits" column:
This is my final Tidbits column, but it's not goodbye. Although I'm leaving the Beacon Journal to relax and take a break from deadline journalism, I'll still be writing my weekly Internet newsletter, Second Helpings. And don't miss this Sunday's Premier section, where I'll take a look back at 25 years of sometimes wacky food happenings in the Akron area. Also, watch for announcements of an open house next month, where I'll show you how to make some holiday foods and introduce our new food writer.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Say goodbye to Mike Needs
There will be a farewell party for Mike Needs on Thursday, October 26. Friends are going to drag him away from his bicycle from 7 to 9: p.m. at Larry's on W. Market St. in Akron. We'll have hors d'oeuvres, munchies and soft drinks available for those who can come.
For those of you who aren't aware, Larry's was the Thursday night watering hole for the newsroom. After the paper was out, of course.
For those of you who aren't aware, Larry's was the Thursday night watering hole for the newsroom. After the paper was out, of course.
Tom working in Florida again
Tom Moore is in Florida again, working for former Beacon Journal Sports Editor Tom Giffen. Giffen, 57, is the owner of Roy Hobbs Baseball, a national organization that provides formal competition for adult men and women.There are about 400 teams spread across virtually every state.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Mercury News to axe up to 101,
Mercury News to axe up to 101, including 15 percent of newsroom
The San Jose Mercury News plans to lay off as many as 101 employees over the next two months to cut costs and make up for declining advertising revenue, the paper said Friday.
The company will eliminate 41 newsroom positions - or about 15 percent of its editorial staff - by Dec. 19, with the rest of the cuts coming from other departments, including circulation, finance, marketing and human resources, said Dan Breeden, a Mercury News spokesman.
The cuts, which officials say will be made mostly through layoffs, will sever about 8 percent of the paper's overall workforce. About 10 to 15 currently open positions across the company could be included in those cuts, Breeden said.
Also Friday, the new publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News told employees that layoffs are "unavoidable."
Source: AP via SPJ Press Notes and Editor & Publisher
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Off-Beat Story: O.K. Corral
Thursday will mark the 125th anniversary of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. On Oct. 26, 1881, building tension between the Earps, who represented law and order in Tombstone, and the Clantons and McLaurys, cattle rustlers and outlaws, erupted into a bloody confrontation.
Naturally there will be a big celebration at Tomstone. Click on the headline to read an off-beat story about the gunfighters on the BJ Retirees web site or go to the web site set up for the celebration at
http://www.okcorralgunfight.com/
Naturally there will be a big celebration at Tomstone. Click on the headline to read an off-beat story about the gunfighters on the BJ Retirees web site or go to the web site set up for the celebration at
http://www.okcorralgunfight.com/
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Merrill College to add Knight names
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation last month made a $4.4 million, multi-part grant to the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. In recognition of this latest gift, and the foundation’s strong historical support of the university, the planned new state-of-the-art journalism building for the Merrill College will be named John S. and James L. Knight Hall, University President C.D. Mote Jr. announced ..
Construction is scheduled to start in early 2008. Part of the $4.4 million grant -- $2 million--will be added to an earlier $3 million building fund campaign gift from the foundation to name the building. The remaining $2.4 million will create the Knight Institute for the Future of Journalism, supporting operations of both the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and J-Lab, two professional development programs of the Merrill College. The Institute for the Future of Journalism, to be located within Knight Hall, also will house professional organizations and additional Knight programs, including, eventually, the Knight Chair in Journalism.
Click on the headline to real the full September announcement.
Construction is scheduled to start in early 2008. Part of the $4.4 million grant -- $2 million--will be added to an earlier $3 million building fund campaign gift from the foundation to name the building. The remaining $2.4 million will create the Knight Institute for the Future of Journalism, supporting operations of both the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and J-Lab, two professional development programs of the Merrill College. The Institute for the Future of Journalism, to be located within Knight Hall, also will house professional organizations and additional Knight programs, including, eventually, the Knight Chair in Journalism.
Click on the headline to real the full September announcement.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Foundation bid on BJ
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation submitted a bid this year to buy the Akron Beacon Journal., but the foundation decided to bow out after the asking price climbed too high, foundation President Alberto Ibarguen said at the Akron Roundtable Thursday.
``The price that was offered, the amount of money that was offered was, we thought, very significant, and ultimately it was our decision that it would have been unwise to go that high,'' Ibarguen said.
Black Press Ltd. of Canada ultimately bought the Beacon Journal for $165 million from the California-based McClatchy newspaper company, which had acquired the Beacon Journal when it bought Knight Ridder Inc. in June.
The Knight Foundation has a $2.2 billion endowment built on the Knight family's investments in newspapers and has invested about $100 million in the Akron area.
The foundation hoped to make the Beacon Journal a laboratory for new journalism ideas in the age of the Internet, drawing on the talents of the nation's major journalism schools.
``I don't know what we would have done, but the point is that it deserves experimentation, and what better place to do it than in a really good, live newsroom?'' Ibarguen said.
The setup might have been similar to that of Florida's St. Petersburg Times, which is owned by the nonprofit Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
Click on the headline to read John Higgins story on the Beacon Journal business page.
``The price that was offered, the amount of money that was offered was, we thought, very significant, and ultimately it was our decision that it would have been unwise to go that high,'' Ibarguen said.
Black Press Ltd. of Canada ultimately bought the Beacon Journal for $165 million from the California-based McClatchy newspaper company, which had acquired the Beacon Journal when it bought Knight Ridder Inc. in June.
The Knight Foundation has a $2.2 billion endowment built on the Knight family's investments in newspapers and has invested about $100 million in the Akron area.
The foundation hoped to make the Beacon Journal a laboratory for new journalism ideas in the age of the Internet, drawing on the talents of the nation's major journalism schools.
``I don't know what we would have done, but the point is that it deserves experimentation, and what better place to do it than in a really good, live newsroom?'' Ibarguen said.
The setup might have been similar to that of Florida's St. Petersburg Times, which is owned by the nonprofit Poynter Institute for Media Studies.
Click on the headline to read John Higgins story on the Beacon Journal business page.
Commentary on magic date
Tomorrow is the magic date ending the 60-day notice period. Surprisingly, it appears that only four or five of those laid off is still looking for a job.
That does not diminish in any way the horrible loss of talent.. Dennis Balogh, chief artist, was added today to the Blog Wall of Honor. The wall now includes 17 veteran staff members who resigned voluntarily–sometimes in hope of saving the job of a friend. The 17 had 291 years of service
The sports department, originally the hardest hit, escaped with all jobs saved. How many newspapers can boast both a Sheldon Ocher and a Terry Pluto? BUT, despite pleas by many, Tom Reed will resign to accept a job as a features writer with the Columbus Dispatch.
The Beacon Journal also will lose Susan Kirkman who will go to Kent State in December to further her studies.
And here’s another paradox–even the personnel guy is leaving. Ed Kemp, vice president of human relations and general counsel, was scheduled to retire at the end of the year, but will retire early. His last day was Friday.
Linda Golz, subject of one of our first reports on layoffs (See the August 25 post) will return as a copy editor.
Balogh, Reed, Kirkman and Golz have all promised to send us more information so the “goodbye” posts will continue for a while.
The Guild is trying to firm up a list which will include some who were laid off and found jobs, some whose jobs were saved and those still looking for career changes.
The art department staff is an example of the difficulty in keeping up with changes. Rick Steinhauser was first laid off and Kathy Hagedorn went from full-time to part-time. Then Steinhauser was offered a job as paginator. He tried it out but did not like it. Then when Dennis resigned he was offered a job to return. He is still trying to decide. And Kathy apparently found she is satisfied just working part-time. [it is difficult to keep score]
And the Final Word: Mickey Porter was replaced today with a feature named “Names in the News.” that included a cutout of Sharon Osbourne and seven items pulled from wire reports. The last item carries the head:
And finally...
That does not diminish in any way the horrible loss of talent.. Dennis Balogh, chief artist, was added today to the Blog Wall of Honor. The wall now includes 17 veteran staff members who resigned voluntarily–sometimes in hope of saving the job of a friend. The 17 had 291 years of service
The sports department, originally the hardest hit, escaped with all jobs saved. How many newspapers can boast both a Sheldon Ocher and a Terry Pluto? BUT, despite pleas by many, Tom Reed will resign to accept a job as a features writer with the Columbus Dispatch.
The Beacon Journal also will lose Susan Kirkman who will go to Kent State in December to further her studies.
And here’s another paradox–even the personnel guy is leaving. Ed Kemp, vice president of human relations and general counsel, was scheduled to retire at the end of the year, but will retire early. His last day was Friday.
Linda Golz, subject of one of our first reports on layoffs (See the August 25 post) will return as a copy editor.
Balogh, Reed, Kirkman and Golz have all promised to send us more information so the “goodbye” posts will continue for a while.
The Guild is trying to firm up a list which will include some who were laid off and found jobs, some whose jobs were saved and those still looking for career changes.
The art department staff is an example of the difficulty in keeping up with changes. Rick Steinhauser was first laid off and Kathy Hagedorn went from full-time to part-time. Then Steinhauser was offered a job as paginator. He tried it out but did not like it. Then when Dennis resigned he was offered a job to return. He is still trying to decide. And Kathy apparently found she is satisfied just working part-time. [it is difficult to keep score]
And the Final Word: Mickey Porter was replaced today with a feature named “Names in the News.” that included a cutout of Sharon Osbourne and seven items pulled from wire reports. The last item carries the head:
And finally...
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Knight Museum, U of Akron get funds
New multimillion-dollar investments in two high-profile projects in Akron by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation were announced today in a luncheon address at the Akron Roundtable by Alberto Ibargüen, president of Foundation..
* A $10 million grant to The University of Akron supports the University Park Alliance’s economic development plan to revitalize the downtown district. Those efforts are expected to bring 500 new housing units, create 1,000 new jobs, attract new businesses and mixed-use developments, improve the neighborhood’s infrastructure, and incorporate innovative approaches to health and community education. The Alliance expects to draw additional investments of $500 million to $1 billion to the area in the coming years.
* With a total of $6 million contributed to the Akron Art Museum’s capital campaign, the museum’s board of trustees has decided to name its dramatic new building in honor of the Knight brothers. The 63,000-square-foot John S. and James L. Knight Building, designed by internationally renowned architects Coop Himmelb(l)au, opens July 15 2007 adjacent to the museum’s historic 1899 building.
“Jack and Jim Knight were passionate about community and journalism, and applied elsewhere in their news careers what they learned first here in Akron,” he said. “Strong civic and cultural institutions are leading the way in Akron, and their innovative work is a powerful model for other communities.”
Dr. W. Gerald Austen, chairman of Knight Foundation’s board of trustees and an Akron native, was pleased with the museum trustees’ agreement to put the Knight name on the expansion. “The Knight name has been synonymous with community leadership in Akron for nearly a century. This stellar addition to Akron’s cultural life sits in the same block as the city’s John S. Knight Center, assuring that generations of northeast Ohioans will associate the Knight name with quality in the arts and community.”
Immediately east of the Akron Art Museum, University Park encompasses 700 acres, with 400-plus businesses, 11,500 residents and 24,000 university students. Six years ago, Knight Foundation ignited a spark with $3 million in initial funding for the University Park Alliance — a partnership of The University of Akron, Summa Health System, the City of Akron, Akron Public Schools, the Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, University Park Development Corporation, The Beacon Journal and the foundation. That initial investment has since grown far beyond its original goals, leveraging more than $150 million in public and private investments in the five years since the Alliance’s founding.
“The leadership of the Knight brothers lives on in this wonderful investment in Akron’s future. The University of Akron will continue to invest in the revitalization of our neighborhood, University Park, by creating innovative ways to integrate health and learning throughout this vitally important community,” said Dr. Luis Proenza, president of The University of Akron. “This collaborative effort will transform Akron and provide a shining example to others in Northeast Ohio of how university-community partnerships provide the key to our economic future.”
In 2000, Knight Foundation initiated the Akron Art Museum’s capital campaign project with a $4 million lead gift, which inspired the museum’s trustees to be more ambitious in their goal. The foundation’s trustees approved an additional $2 million grant earlier this year.
The innovative new building is directly connected to the current Art Museum facility. The expansion triples the museum’s gallery space, and allows it to display for the first time extensive permanent installations of its collection. The expansion also adds a lecture hall, classroom, video orientation room, retail store, catering kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining and a grand lobby.
“The museum’s new Knight Building not only gives Akron a world-class cultural destination, it gives the city’s residents a place to experience a wealth of artistic expression,” said Ibargüen. “The expansion’s opening will be a transformational moment for this community and its citizens.”
Museum Director Mitchell Kahan added, “We are eager to open and bring Akron’s artistic legacy out of storage. With the new facilities, we’ll be able to provide expanded educational opportunities and really make Akron’s downtown a cultural hub for the entire region.”
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of U.S. communities, including Akron, where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since its founding in 1950, Knight Foundation has made more than 900 grants totaling nearly $91 million in Northeast Ohio. For more on Knight Foundation, visit www.knightfdn.org.
The Knight Foundation ended 2005 with assets of $2.07 billion.
See remarks by Ibargüen
See news release from Knight Foundation
See story in Beacon Journal by Betty Lin-Fisher
* A $10 million grant to The University of Akron supports the University Park Alliance’s economic development plan to revitalize the downtown district. Those efforts are expected to bring 500 new housing units, create 1,000 new jobs, attract new businesses and mixed-use developments, improve the neighborhood’s infrastructure, and incorporate innovative approaches to health and community education. The Alliance expects to draw additional investments of $500 million to $1 billion to the area in the coming years.
* With a total of $6 million contributed to the Akron Art Museum’s capital campaign, the museum’s board of trustees has decided to name its dramatic new building in honor of the Knight brothers. The 63,000-square-foot John S. and James L. Knight Building, designed by internationally renowned architects Coop Himmelb(l)au, opens July 15 2007 adjacent to the museum’s historic 1899 building.
“Jack and Jim Knight were passionate about community and journalism, and applied elsewhere in their news careers what they learned first here in Akron,” he said. “Strong civic and cultural institutions are leading the way in Akron, and their innovative work is a powerful model for other communities.”
Dr. W. Gerald Austen, chairman of Knight Foundation’s board of trustees and an Akron native, was pleased with the museum trustees’ agreement to put the Knight name on the expansion. “The Knight name has been synonymous with community leadership in Akron for nearly a century. This stellar addition to Akron’s cultural life sits in the same block as the city’s John S. Knight Center, assuring that generations of northeast Ohioans will associate the Knight name with quality in the arts and community.”
Immediately east of the Akron Art Museum, University Park encompasses 700 acres, with 400-plus businesses, 11,500 residents and 24,000 university students. Six years ago, Knight Foundation ignited a spark with $3 million in initial funding for the University Park Alliance — a partnership of The University of Akron, Summa Health System, the City of Akron, Akron Public Schools, the Greater Akron Chamber, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, University Park Development Corporation, The Beacon Journal and the foundation. That initial investment has since grown far beyond its original goals, leveraging more than $150 million in public and private investments in the five years since the Alliance’s founding.
“The leadership of the Knight brothers lives on in this wonderful investment in Akron’s future. The University of Akron will continue to invest in the revitalization of our neighborhood, University Park, by creating innovative ways to integrate health and learning throughout this vitally important community,” said Dr. Luis Proenza, president of The University of Akron. “This collaborative effort will transform Akron and provide a shining example to others in Northeast Ohio of how university-community partnerships provide the key to our economic future.”
In 2000, Knight Foundation initiated the Akron Art Museum’s capital campaign project with a $4 million lead gift, which inspired the museum’s trustees to be more ambitious in their goal. The foundation’s trustees approved an additional $2 million grant earlier this year.
The innovative new building is directly connected to the current Art Museum facility. The expansion triples the museum’s gallery space, and allows it to display for the first time extensive permanent installations of its collection. The expansion also adds a lecture hall, classroom, video orientation room, retail store, catering kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining and a grand lobby.
“The museum’s new Knight Building not only gives Akron a world-class cultural destination, it gives the city’s residents a place to experience a wealth of artistic expression,” said Ibargüen. “The expansion’s opening will be a transformational moment for this community and its citizens.”
Museum Director Mitchell Kahan added, “We are eager to open and bring Akron’s artistic legacy out of storage. With the new facilities, we’ll be able to provide expanded educational opportunities and really make Akron’s downtown a cultural hub for the entire region.”
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the vitality of U.S. communities, including Akron, where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Since its founding in 1950, Knight Foundation has made more than 900 grants totaling nearly $91 million in Northeast Ohio. For more on Knight Foundation, visit www.knightfdn.org.
The Knight Foundation ended 2005 with assets of $2.07 billion.
See remarks by Ibargüen
See news release from Knight Foundation
See story in Beacon Journal by Betty Lin-Fisher
Salary pegged to revenue opposed
Controversial Boston Globe contract proposal heading for defeat
A controversial contract proposal at The Boston Globe, which for the first time ties proposed salary increases to the paper's revenue, may be headed for defeat, according to Boston Newspaper Guild President Dan Totten, who said the first returns from Wednesday's voting indicate a majority is opposing the measure.
"There has been a very strong 'No' sentiment thus far," said Totten, who said about 300 votes had been cast out of a potential 1,000 guild members.
In addition to the salary link, the revenue provision is based only on revenue from the print newspaper, not from its Web site, the profitable Boston.com, some guild leaders complain. Many of them oppose that restriction, noting that the contract also includes a new requirement for guild members to perform duties for the Web site.
Source: Joe Strupp. Editor & Publisher via SPJ Press Notes
A controversial contract proposal at The Boston Globe, which for the first time ties proposed salary increases to the paper's revenue, may be headed for defeat, according to Boston Newspaper Guild President Dan Totten, who said the first returns from Wednesday's voting indicate a majority is opposing the measure.
"There has been a very strong 'No' sentiment thus far," said Totten, who said about 300 votes had been cast out of a potential 1,000 guild members.
In addition to the salary link, the revenue provision is based only on revenue from the print newspaper, not from its Web site, the profitable Boston.com, some guild leaders complain. Many of them oppose that restriction, noting that the contract also includes a new requirement for guild members to perform duties for the Web site.
Source: Joe Strupp. Editor & Publisher via SPJ Press Notes
Sarah's final P.S.
Beacon Journal editorial writer Sarah Vradenburg, a 22-year veteran of the newspaper, wrote her final PostScript on today's editorial page. Here it is:
On my first day at the Beacon Journal in 1984, I was escorted throughout the building and introduced, it seemed, to hundreds of people. Because my job was to chronicle the live
s of people who work here and events at the newspaper, it was an important tour. So many people I met had been here 10, 15, even 20 years. All I could think was: ``How do people stay in a job so long?''
Now I know: Show up for work every day. It helps when the people you work with are smart, funny and passionate about their jobs. It helps even more when the job you do makes a difference to the community. I have been honored to be a part of this enterprise for nearly 23 years. I have been proud to wear the mantle first woven by John S. Knight so many decades ago, of truth-telling, of community engagement, of the highest ethical principles in the business of journalism.
I know we in Akron have mourned the demise of Knight Ridder perhaps more deeply than other cities with Knight newspapers. It was a part of us, born of one of our own. I won't pretend that I'm not angry at an economic system that favors shareholder value over the need to inform, that treats newspapers as just so many widgets. I won't deny that I've said, more than once, that if Jack Knight were alive, Knight Ridder would still be around. But that's wishful thinking. He was a businessman and a newsman. Who knows what might have been? All we have is what is.
I wrote my first ``editorial'' as a child, a naif's letter to the editor complaining about how politicians couldn't see beyond party lines to do what's right for the country. How little things have changed. I'm also amazed that I've been able to spend the past 15 years doing what I love -- writing opinion. I've made friends -- and enemies -- with the pieces that have borne my name. I appreciate most those who have disagreed with me without hiding behind the anonymity of voice mail and unsigned diatribes. Some would counter by saying we write unsigned editorials, but what we write carries the newspaper's name -- no small thing -- and individual writers' identities are just a phone call away. This country's greatness resides largely in our willingness to own our differing opinions. It's called reasoned debate.
Now it is time to move on. I look to my future with a mixture of excitement and sadness. I have plans that promise to be fun and make a positive contribution. Still, it is not possible to close a two-decade chapter without shedding a few tears. My colleagues are my family, but more important to you, those who remain here are among the best in the business. No matter how much the business of newspapering changes, they remain committed to bringing you the best in news and opinion. Jack Knight's town deserves nothing less.
Before I came to work here, I was actively involved in many facets of my adopted hometown. I plan to rejoin the ranks of citizen activist. This is far from goodbye. I'll be seeing you.
-- SARAH VRADENBURG
Editorial writer emeritus
On my first day at the Beacon Journal in 1984, I was escorted throughout the building and introduced, it seemed, to hundreds of people. Because my job was to chronicle the live
s of people who work here and events at the newspaper, it was an important tour. So many people I met had been here 10, 15, even 20 years. All I could think was: ``How do people stay in a job so long?''Now I know: Show up for work every day. It helps when the people you work with are smart, funny and passionate about their jobs. It helps even more when the job you do makes a difference to the community. I have been honored to be a part of this enterprise for nearly 23 years. I have been proud to wear the mantle first woven by John S. Knight so many decades ago, of truth-telling, of community engagement, of the highest ethical principles in the business of journalism.
I know we in Akron have mourned the demise of Knight Ridder perhaps more deeply than other cities with Knight newspapers. It was a part of us, born of one of our own. I won't pretend that I'm not angry at an economic system that favors shareholder value over the need to inform, that treats newspapers as just so many widgets. I won't deny that I've said, more than once, that if Jack Knight were alive, Knight Ridder would still be around. But that's wishful thinking. He was a businessman and a newsman. Who knows what might have been? All we have is what is.
I wrote my first ``editorial'' as a child, a naif's letter to the editor complaining about how politicians couldn't see beyond party lines to do what's right for the country. How little things have changed. I'm also amazed that I've been able to spend the past 15 years doing what I love -- writing opinion. I've made friends -- and enemies -- with the pieces that have borne my name. I appreciate most those who have disagreed with me without hiding behind the anonymity of voice mail and unsigned diatribes. Some would counter by saying we write unsigned editorials, but what we write carries the newspaper's name -- no small thing -- and individual writers' identities are just a phone call away. This country's greatness resides largely in our willingness to own our differing opinions. It's called reasoned debate.
Now it is time to move on. I look to my future with a mixture of excitement and sadness. I have plans that promise to be fun and make a positive contribution. Still, it is not possible to close a two-decade chapter without shedding a few tears. My colleagues are my family, but more important to you, those who remain here are among the best in the business. No matter how much the business of newspapering changes, they remain committed to bringing you the best in news and opinion. Jack Knight's town deserves nothing less.
Before I came to work here, I was actively involved in many facets of my adopted hometown. I plan to rejoin the ranks of citizen activist. This is far from goodbye. I'll be seeing you.
-- SARAH VRADENBURG
Editorial writer emeritus
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