At the top of this montage are artists’ renditions of just a few of the many people who no longer work at the BJ.

Identified so far:

TOP ROW Marilyn Miller, ???, ???,  Carol Leibowitz, ???, ???

THIRD ROW Paula Schleis, ???, Dave Scott, Olga Reswow, Bob Downing

SECOND ROW ???, ???, Rich Heldenfels, Ed Meyer, Bill Lilley, Jewell Cardwell, Linda Omobien, Colette Jenkins Parker.

FIRST ROW Dennis Gordon, Kim Hone McMcMahan, Phil Trexler, Bob DeMay, Larry Pantages.

At the bottom of the montage is a photo taken a few years ago of  BJ photographers gathered at the home of Ott Gangl. Today, Phil Masturzo is the only one still working at Ol’ Blue Walls.

In 2001 the BJ lost more than 500 years of experience in one day.

In 2006 the BJ shed 42 staff members to save $2.3 million a year. On one day 24 left with 335 years of BJ service.

In 2008 there were 18 departures with 273 years of BJ service.

Since 2001, the BJ has lost more than 2,000 years of newspaper experience.

In 2009 newspaper layoffs soared to 12,840 unwanted employees.

In 2012 alone there were 1,859 newspaper jobs eliminated in America, including 600 in one day by Advance Publications in New Orleans and Alabama.

When I retired from the BJ in 1996 there were nearly 200 in the newsroom. Today, there are fewer than 65 in the entire building.

Are newspaper employees on their way to becoming an extinct species?

What does that portend for democracy in America if there is no one to keep the political and business foxes from pillaging the henhouse.

Decimating newspaper staffs very profitable

Vulture capitalist Randall Smith found a way to make newspapers profitable. Slash and burn the staff.

Smith is controlling owner of the Denver Post, St. Paul Pioneer Press, San Jose Mercury News and the Orange County Register.

From 2012 to 2017, Smith reduced the Post staff from 184 to 99, close to half.

The Pottstown Mercury went from 73 to 10.

The Norriston Times-Herald went from 45 to 12.

The Pioneer Press dismissals which reduced the staff to 60 brought a $10 million profit.

Smith, through Alden Global Capital and Digital First Media, racked up $160 million in profits in 2017. By shedding all that newspaper talent.

Read the full article at https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/05/13/denver-post-profits-newspaper-industry-218360

Latshaw remembrance packed ‘em in

The Celebration of Life service for former BJ printer Dick Latshaw Saturday, May 12 at the Allenside Athletic Club on Manchester Road in Akron drew so many that I had a difficult time finding somewhere to sit and eat and chat about Dick.

Dick’s widow, Pat Latshaw, was there. They were married for 57 years. So was Linda McElroy, widow of Harold McElroy, who drove both of them from Pawleys Island, South Carolina where they lived two blocks away on the same street for nearly two decades. They were married for about a half-century.

Retired printer Sid Sprague, who also lived near them on Pawleys Island, moved to Loveland, Colorado with his new bride after his first wife died. Sid was the first to move to Pawleys Island (from Cuyahoga Falls) around 1997 or 1998. Then Harold and Linda McElroy moved around 1999. Dick and Pat moved to Pawleys in 2000. They all lived on the same 3-blocks-long street. 

Also at Saturday’s tribute to Dick was Mike Kerchan, who went from BJ printer to maintenance after Composing was shut down and still is working there. It was part of Canadian David Black’s deal with Gatehouse Media, which bought the BJ assets, that the former printers continue to keep their jobs, as John S. Knight voluntarily promised in writing in return for bringing computers into the building to put out the paper.

Garfield High graduate Dick passed away March 11 on Pawleys Island.

Paul Tople at photographer Ron Kuner's retirement

Photographer Paul Tople, Kent State grad involved in three BJ Pulitzers, passed away today after a brief stay at Cleveland Clinic’s Akron General Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center on Ridgewood Road in Akron.

His widow is Sally Tople.

The three Pulitzers were for Kent State, Goodyear and Question of Color. Paul won so many Cleveland Press Club first places that they should have named the award after him.

Paul’s BJ friends have tales that highlight his qualities:

Bob Springer recalls Paul’s reassuring presence during news events:

“The day Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered in prison in Wisconsin, Paul and I ran out to Medina Line Road to see if Dahmer's father was home. He and Dahmer's stepmother were both home. It was an emotionally awkward interview. 

"I am so glad to this day that Paul was with me. His compassion, gentleness and demeanor really drew out the best of the Dahmers in a difficult circumstance. Thank you, Paul."

James Carney reveals Paul’s sensitivity:

“So one day we had a big snowstorm and school was cancelled. Paul and I went out looking for a story. At Big Bend skating pond we found it. An older gentleman was skating figure 8s alone on the frozen pond. Just him and the pond and us watching. 

"Turned into a great little sense of place story with a beautiful Tople portrait of the man skating.”

Susan Gippin remembers Paul’s personal touch:

“I don't remember going on assignment with Paul often. But I do remember when I was ginormous with child in 1989, Paul knew I wanted a photo to show my daughter when she grew up.

“One day, he took me back into the inner sanctum of the BJ photo studio and shot a few frames.

“A few days later, he showed up at my desk with a perfectly composed black and white photo of me in maternitywear sitting crosslegged on the floor -- giant belly and all.

“I still have that photo. And fond memories of sweet, thoughtful Paul."

Mike Cardew, later a BJ photographer, recalls being welcomed to the club by a giant of a man:

“Paul was the first photographer from the Beacon Journal I met. It was Easter and I was finishing up as the intern for The Cincinnati Enquirer. We were at Lucasville covering the riots.”

Paul’s first wife, Terri Kyttler Tople, passed away in 2008 after battling systemic lupus for decades. They had been married for 36 years. She taught learning disabled children in Akron public schools for 18 years.

Paul later married Sally, previously Ted Schneider’s wife.

Paul’s son, Mike, is married to Jamie Tople. Paul’s other son, Ed, is married to Jenny.

Paul took the BJ photo of photographer John Filo and Mary Vecchio, subject of the 1970 Kent State/National Guard shootings that brought Filo a Pulitzer, at their 2009 May 4 reunion on the Kent State campus.

Norton High graduate Paul was a senior at Kent State in 1970. He was working part-time for the Beacon Journal and was associate editor of the Chestnut Burr, the Kent State yearbook. The BJ used his photos of the shootings on May 4. In 1977 he was promoted to BJ assistant chief photographer under Bill Hunter.

Paul was on the Stater staff with Stu Feldstein, Terry Oblander, Chuck Ayers, Rich Zitrin and copy editor Paula Stone Tucker. All of them wound up working at Ol’ Blue Walls. 

Ken Krause, former BJ sports editor who lives in Medford, Massachussetts, forwarded these Tower Topics articles that further illuminate Paul's remarkable personality:

Thirty’s ‘Son’ Ohioana book finalist

Former BJ reporter Thrity Umrigar is among five finalists for the 2018 Ohioana Book Awards for fiction.

Thrity was chosen for “Everybody’s Son,” her latest novel.

Jeffrey Ford (“A Natural History of Hell: Stories”), Ruth Emmie Lang (“Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance”), Celesta Ng (“Little Fires Everywhere”) and Robert Olmstead (“Savage Country”) are the other finalists in the fiction category.

The winners will be announced in July and the 2018 Ohioana Book Awards will be presented October 18 at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

Thrity also teaches creative writing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Thrity began her reporting career with The Lorain Journal. Two years later, in 1987, she came to the BJ.

She left the Beacon to attend Harvard on a Nieman Fellowship, wrote “Bombay Time” and her author career took off

Nancy Peacock with Sheila Benson (left) and Karen Holman (right)

Peacock really cooking!

Nancy Peacock was a winner in the Judge Mary Kovack Bake-off  at the Corkscrew Saloon garage in Medina.

I know Nancy once was a reporter on the BJ Metro desk but I don’t remember her succeeding Jane Snow as Ol’ Blue Walls’ food writer.

Nancy must be proud as, well I’ll say it, a peacock.

Nancy shared the spotlight with Chatham Bicentennial Committee member Sheila Benson and Karen Holman, Medina County prosecutor Dean Holman’s wife.

The judges were Pat Hanek of the Brunswick City Council, former Medina County prosecutor Dean Holman and York Township Trustee Bill Pavlick.

It was a fundraiser for Medina County Domestic Relations Judge Mary Kovach’s re-election campaign. 

After the BJ, Nancy became executive director of the Free Clinic of Medina County.

Before all that, Nancy was with the Medina Gazette, Summit Academy Management and Steel Academy.

Maybe Nancy and Jane Snow can have a steel cage match with souffles at 20 paces?

Paul Tople

Tople in hospice

BJ reporter Katie Byard reports that photographer Paul Tople, Kent State grad involved in three BJ Pulitzers, is in Cleveland Clinic’s Akron General Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron.

He would like visitors, but call ahead first to be sure he's having a good day. 

Paul is married to Sally Tople.

Latshaw memorial Saturday on Manchester Road

The late BJ printer Dick Latshaw’s Celebration of Life will be 2-5 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at the Allenside Athletic Club, where Dick was a member, 2533 Manchester Road.

Dick Latshaw

Dicky, as the obit calls him, passed away March 1 on Pawleys Island, where he lived with wife of 57 years Pat for 15 years.

Dick’s obituary:

Richard Denny Latshaw “Dicky”

In Memory Of Richard Denny Latshaw, age 77, died Thursday, March 1, 2018 at his residence.

Born in Akron, Ohio, he was a son of the late Raymond Latshaw and Doris Latshaw Ronk. Mr. Latshaw was employed with the Akron Beacon Journal newspaper for 32 years. He was a member of the Pawleys Island Masonic Lodge #409 for 15 years; was also a member of Allenside Athletic Club in Akron, Ohio and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Latshaw. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Patricia L. Latshaw; daughter, Shelley Cymbor and her husband, Gary; four grandchildren; four greatgrandchildren; a brother, Kenny Ronk; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Allenside Athletic Club, 2533 Manchester Rd., from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pawleys Island Masonic Lodge, P.O. Box 1592, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfin chfuneralhome.com   .

October 26 Memorial in Akron for Bill

Former BJ reporter Bill Canterbury passed away Tuesday, May 1 in Fort Myers, Florida.

Wife Paula Elick Canterbury wrote:

“John, I am sorry to tell you that Bill passed away May 1 after a battle with cancer. 

Bill Canterbury

“It was a sudden illness but a very aggressive form of cancer.

"We are having a memorial Mass Friday, October 26, 9 a.m., at St. Sebastian Church in Akron with a reception following at the O’Neill House. I hope all can make it. I appreciate you letting the retiree group know.

“Thanks, Paula Canterbury”

Paula explains the October choice:

“We are waiting for October as all our family will be gathering in Akron for a family wedding. We are currently living in Fort Myers where Bill was playing tennis and swimming in the Gulf (of Mexico) in February!"

Bill was the nicest, most unassuming person I have ever met.

Paula put it better:

“Thank you for the kind remembrances of Bill. He was a true country gentleman, like yourself, and we miss him terribly. Hope to see you in October."

I wouldn't miss paying respects to Bill for the world.

Former BJ Editor Dale Allen nailed it:

“If anyone defined the understated eloquence of the Beacon Journal newsroom, it was Bill Canterbury.

"I am sorry to hear of his death."

After so many Facebook posts from Bill's friends and former co-workers, Paula added:

"John, you don’t know how your kind words and the words of his friends and colleagues have helped our kids, Eddie and Lyn, and me through this first week without him. 

"I so appreciate that you reached out to us. You, too, are a country gentleman. There is just something about you West Virginia boys! 

"Thank you and God Bless. Hope to see you and your Paula in October. God Bless, Paula."

Bill could write a quiet story that was loud in your heart. In 1985 his story lede was:

"The dead still rest in peace in a hilltop cemetery in rural Holmes County. But to their survivors, the scenic, century-old burial ground has become a matter of unrest."

There’s a mountain of unrest in my heart as I type this because a fellow West Virginian who shared 44 E. Exchange Street with me is gone forever.

Bill grew up in Wayne County, West Virginia, which is adjacent to Mingo County, where I had my first job after my graduation from West Virginia University School of Journalism, as sports editor of the Williamson Daily News.

Bill and I shared a glittering array of BJ talent born in West Virginia: Scott Bosley, Tom Melody, Bonnie Bolden and some guy from Bluefield with the initials JSK.

George Davis, known as Bing among his family members, wrote:

“I've known of Bill since 1964 when I succeeded him at the Lynchburg (Virginia) Daily Advance and got his apartment, too."

I didn’t know that Bill once worked at the Lynchburg newspaper.

Bill left after 30 years at Ol’ Blue Walls in 2001 on the day that 510 years of BJ experience walked out the door. He’s in That Newsroom in the Sky now with Sandy Levenson, Joan Rice and Bill Bierman, who also ended their BJ careers on that sad, sad 2001 day.

In 2009 my Paula (Tucker) and I ran into Bill and Paula at the annual St. Sebastian Church Thanksgiving dinner on Mull Avenue in Akron. Bill was with Meals on Wheels. 

Both Paulas crossed paths in high school although Paula Stone Tucker is a St. Mary's grad and Paula Elick Canterbury is an Ellet grad.

Kathie Capriolo, a graduate of Akron Central and the University of Akron and a retired Akron Public Schools teacher, wrote:

“Ralph and I are so sorry to hear this. We got to know Bill and Paula through our West Akron Baseball League years.

“Paula and I both worked for Akron public schools. One year at Perkins baseball field, she helped me grade papers.

“Great couple. Bill will be missed.”

Indeed, Kathie.

After the BJ, Bill was public information officer for the Summit County Sheriff.

Bill had been attending the monthly BJ retirees gatherings at Papa Joe’s in the Merriman Valley for years by then, so I also saw and enjoyed his low-key presence there, too.

Paula Canterbury is a University of Akron and Ellet High graduate who was principal of Central Intermediate School in Wadsworth.

RIP, Bill. 

You proved that you can have a magnificent flair while being a quiet man.

USA 45^th in press freedom

Reporters Without Borders says that the United States has dropped to 45^th in the world based on press freedom.

Our Founding Fathers made free speech and a free press the First Amendment because they considered it so important. More important, Thomas Jefferson said, than elected officials.

Relaxing of rules to prevent fewer companies from controlling more and more of the media have resulted in 8 companies owning 1,100 newspapers in America.

Sinclair has all of its 170 local stations deliver verbatim the same "news" item on the same day with a pro-Trump slant.

President Trump makes "the enemy of the people" his regular target, particularly bastions of journalism like the New York Times and Washington Post.

France-based Reporters Without Borders has been inundated with awards for its work --  from Germany to Poland to Spain to Arab American Institute Foundation to Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and even got an international Emmy from the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

RWB’s list of the top countries when it comes to press freedom are:

1.Norway. 2. Sweden. 3. Netherlands. 4. Finland. 5. Switzerland. 6. Jamaica. 7. Belgium. 8. New Zealand. 9. Denmark. 10. Costa Rica.

North Korea is last on the list. Syria is 4^th, China 5^th and Cuban 9^th.

Sad Fort Worth and BJ news

McClatchy, which once owned the BJ for 87 seconds, has trimmed its Fort Worth Star-Telegram newsroom editors from 8 to 5. And labels Texas as part of the Midwest.

Editorial control has been ceded to McClatchy editors who don’t live in Fort Worth, much like Gatehouse is wiping out the Ol’ Blue Walls advertising department and turning the job over to folks in Austin, Texas.

Mike Fannin, editor of McClatchy’s Midwest region, slapped the “Midwest” label on Fort Worth. Mike apparently was absent during geography classes.

McClatchy reported a first quarter loss of $38.9 million.

With 95% of newspaper staff nationally gone since 1990, it can only get worse.

My sources tell me that, since Gatehouse took over the BJ’s assets, advertising vice president Vanessa Koper and ad rep Sue Lindeman are gone and the rest of the ad staff will disappear by September so that Gatehouse can handle all 150 of its newspapers’ advertising from Texas.

In the newsroom, I’m told, Kim Barth, Bob DeMay and Dave Helmick are gone.

Bob is a former BJ Guild president and a BJ photo assignment editor and head of the Ohio News Photographers Association.

Kim was Bob’s treasurer with the state photography group.

Which brings to mind these words of wisom from the late Harry Liggett, founder of this blog, in a 2009 article in the BJ Alums blog:

“Thanks be to God we still have guys like Bob DeMay struggling in the trenches.”

Not any more, Harry.

The silver lining is that, I’m told, those rehired by Gatehouse at the BJ still are getting the same weekly paychecks that they had before the assets sale. The only change is from a 37.5-hour to a 40-hour workweek. 

That’s easier to live with than the 10% pay cut forced upon the BJ staff in 2010 by Black Press, which owned the BJ after McClatchy and before Gatehouse, in case you lost track.

It seems like eons since John S. Knight walked into his corner office at 44 E. Exchange Street at the newspaper he rescued from the Great Depression and built into a 33-newspaper empire with far more staff members than there are today.