Sunday, January 23, 2011

Week Jan. 17-23 | Your News & Comments: Part 4

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55 comments:

  1. For Part 3 of this comment thread, please go here.

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  2. I blame the Central New Jersey disaster on Skip Hidlay. It was he who fired the two best editors at The Home News Tribune of East Brunswick, replacing them with editors from the Courier News - a dying publication if there ever is one, with circulation in the teens. The masthead at the Home News Tribune had five former CN employees. None from the THNT. This week they fired two editors at THNT, who had a combined 50 years of institutional memory in Middlesex County, replacing them with one who had a relative advantage and ZERO knowledge of Middlesex County. She came from CN, and was chosen by the general manager, who also came from CN. The CN editors were spared, which, tee-hee-hee, is a sad joke. The THNT columnist with 20 years worth of columns under his belt is leaving rather than accept a demotion. It is sad what has happened to the old New Brunswick paper. Next week the THNT reporters get to see who gets one of eight jobs. Unfortunately, they are competing with reporters from the paper with circulation in the teens. Who lets this happen?

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  3. I am sure that many of you are upset over the layoffs at the Home News and you feel that the CN got the better end of the stick. We both got the bad end of the stick because we are still stuck with PG. He is classless and has always been. He is sarcastic and tries to be an intimidator. He is not. Trust me, he will get his.

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  4. It is a shame that the CN once again has come out "ahead" even with their poor quality writers and silly pants general manager. There is no way to explain what officials in Gannett have allowed this to happen. It is the worker bees who know exactly who is leading and managing well. Ask any of them at the CN and the HNT if the retention of PG and JJC have any explanation based on personality, skill and talent, public relations or regard for the employees in any manner!

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  5. JJ Cooke to the rescue!

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  6. Couldn't agree more about the person faulting Skip Hidlay on the downfall. Before working his magic at the CN/HNT he destroyed morale and the product at the APP and from my understanding the CP. The entire time him and Bob Collins wetre giving themselves KUDOS, Blue Envelopes and Rising Stars. I Totally agree newspapers were on the decline but these two fast tracked the process with their disregard for what the community wanted and their pettiness.
    What I would love to know did they leave willing or were they nudged out the door.
    Chris Erwin

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  7. Give it a rest, Chris. You're just making yourself look stupid now. Put down the alcohol and go to bed.

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  8. People who did Bob Collins' bidding bear some responsibility for the outcome, without doubt. He was so bad, even Gannett forced him aside, and you know how low that bar is. For all the good there may be in Skip Hidlay, he has to live with this.

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  9. 1:33, are you finally admitting the bar is so low that the people here who have been whining and bitching are actually the worst of the worst? After all, they were forced aside by Gannett.

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  10. @6:39:
    I earnestly hope you are right.

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  11. 1:20 FYI I don't drink and I use my name unlike you. I do gamble though and bet you would never call me stupid to my face.
    Chris Erwin

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  12. No, 1:38, you're misreading the message and I apologize if it wasn't clear enough. It's directed at bigwigs like Collins that Gannett has fostered and thus, rarely has the guts to get rid of, without some phony pretense. The good journalists who were dumped for no good reason are not those for whom the bar was lowered in any way.

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  13. You certainly don't write, Chris. The bowel movement at 12:51 proves that.

    "you would never call me stupid to my face" -- Step away from the keyboard, Internet tough guy. Now run along. It's probably last call somewhere.

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  14. Whenever I see the strings of attacks on multiple threads, I remember Jim's empty promise that the blog would be more civil.

    Perhaps Jim needs a nickname to make him feel better. Let's see -- Jim "Toilet Plop" Hopkins. Fitting, sorta rhymes.

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  15. I'm not a writer you are correct I was a agate clerk. And I'm hardly a internet tough guy and I still don't drink. You For someone that hides behind anonymous pstings it's funny that you would call someone a internet tough guy. Again I use my name unlike you.
    Chris Erwin

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  16. Such nastiness here! What was the other appointment in Des Moines other than Ted Power, which was a real shock in itself?

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  17. Christine, didn't you ID yourself with another title someplace else? I think you did. Were you drinking that day?

    If you got into a fight, there would be two hits: You hitting the bottle and you hitting the ground.

    Cheers, Chris.

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  18. I am signing back on at the request of some in the company. I wrote about my own layoff on Thursday and many "questioned" it. Said I wasn't coming back, but many have asked me to, so I am this one time. Who is making the noise? They are the ones who know and are involved!

    12-20 very good and dedicated employees laid off based in a small unit in Phoenix, depending on how you count. Not a big head count, but they really add up, and it's all certainly important to those involved.

    As for those casting doubt on it here ... you wouldn't believe the people at corporate who are involved in trashing this blog and silencing the truth. We know who you are! Shut up, or we just might "out" you!

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  19. It's Christopher and what other title? I happen to agree with the poster above me. Numbers don't lie under Skippy's watch circulation nose dived at the APP and according to other poster same happened when he went to HNT/CN. Part of that had to do with the slow death of newspapers but Skippy total lack of area knowledge fast tracked the death. And again I really really don't drink. Should really use your name if you're going to make it so personel. How is Skippy liking Kansas. Now thats funny.

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  20. You claim to be a copy editor somewhere else.

    And you didn't use your name. I recognized the bad writing, though.

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  21. Nope I always use my name and since I can't spell I wouldn't make a very good copy editor. But I happened to be good at what I did.

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  22. http://www.mylife.com/chriserwin98

    You lie.

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  23. But rather then continue with this lets agree to disagree. I think Bob and Skip helped ruin the APP and you think they didn't. Different opinions make the world go around. Still love that Skippy is in Kansas and Bob retired before he wanted to. But it doesn't matter anyway from the few friends I have left Hollis and whoever took Bob's spot are keeping up the bad work. Gannett have a policy of putting people with area knowledfe in key spots I guess.

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  24. Since I'm not a member I can't view that. But I will take your word for it. Since copy editor was my title and most people outside of newspapers wouldn't know what a agate clerk was I probably just put that as job title. It wasn't meant to be decietful just easier. And when someone asked I would explain my actual job. You're semi stalker you sure you don't want to do lunch so you can call me stupid and watch me hide under table in fear? Plus I should update info because I'm no longer a agate clek/wanna be copy editor. I own hair salon and tow truck.

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  25. If I started a newspaper/business, I would hire Chris Erwin. The problem with Gannett is they don't promote people who stand up for what they believe. Right on Erwin. I will look you up. You stand for everything that Gannett doesn't. I respect you. Keep it up. As for the other lemmings, good luck.

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  26. Boy, this thread got weird quick.

    I'm Steve Irwin, no relation to Chris and the world-famous Crocodile Hunter. Although I've been dead several years, I still go around picking fights with animals bigger than me and anonymous people on the internet. Crikey it's fun.

    Now that I've found the 24 hour "Woe is me in New Joisey" cryfest, I'll never have to click another link. Yaay.

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  27. NJ still rocks!

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  28. Very sad news about FS at the Daily Record. I'm not sure of the columnist who also faced the decision of leaving or demotion at the HNT. If it was RM, that's another bigtime loss.

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  29. @2:26 a.m.: Is that business unit the national "niche" or "lifestyle" pubs group? The title I remember best is the free monthly "Your Health"; the group provided the magazine and our local reps were supposed to sell and place it. I haven't heard anything about it since Gannett started pushing the locally produced niche pubs about three years ago.

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  30. Editors at DR told not to divulge outcome of their job status of which they were informed Thursday afternoon. Sick of the Gannett intrigue.

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  31. Jim, is this blog becoming more eclectic? I like it -- being able to call people liars would be a great thing.

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  32. Craig Dubow is announcing his retirement. I overheard from Bob Dickey that there was an "emergency GMC" meeting the other day to discuss Dubow's departure. Martore is NOT the successor!

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  33. No, I don't want people calling other posters liars -- or thieves, or adulterers or all manner of other names.

    Since the beginning, I've always tried to cut posters as much slack as possible. I avoid removing comments except when posters cross certain lines. But these are ultimately subjective calls -- just as news judgement is subjective.

    In a typical week now, readers post 400 to 600 comments. I read every one. Too often, however, I overlook ones that should have been taken down immediately. For those, I rely on readers, and I'm grateful for their help.

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  34. 1:25 I would be very, very, very surprised if Martore was not the successor -- whenever Dubow exits. And I would be even more surprised if Dickey were speaking so loudly and casually about such an event that he could be overheard.

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  35. 5:37 thanks and you wouldn't regret it I loved my job and it was my passion.I own a few small businesses and though I make slightly more and don't have to answer to a bunch of blowhards. I would jump at the chance to work at a paper again. I loved the thrill of deadline and the closeness to my co-workers, As for the person that attacked me I understand if you don't like me for some reason. And I'm assuming you still have your job. Maybe Skip and Bob were good to you. Thats great for you. But did you have your eyes closed and see how many careers they destroyed. Sometimes for no good reason as simple as quesioning some stupid direction they wanted to take paper. Real life/real news for one. And as far as me not being able to write big deal. Newspapers need production people also. As many people might open to look at Giants or Yankees boxscore as they would for some stupid surfing column.
    Christopher Erwin aka Drunk Christine

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  36. Paul Sileh was president and ceo of former employer. Hello. Why do you thing the board forced him on Gannett. He's going to be the white knight.

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  37. Jim, your approach described at 1:28 is a mistake. This place should be like the wild West. Justice should be swift and immediate, with roving people to enforce it. If someone says something dumb, boots should come down on their throat.

    That sort of response would eliminate a lot of the posts that waste people's time. You may think your pop-gun approach will work, but it has failed for some time now.

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  38. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  39. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  40. 6:52 hurry back to your Mom's cellar, the next episode if Star Trek begins in ten minutes. Classy post.

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  41. http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=QAKVGV&ff=21&APath=2.21.21.0.0&job_did=J8A1C26C1SV4S0J626N

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  42. Job Snapshot
    Location:
    US-Nationwide
    Employee Type:
    Full-Time
    Industry:
    Newspaper
    Manages Others:
    Yes
    Job Type:
    Media - Journalism - Newspaper
    Design
    Education:
    2 Year Degree
    Experience:
    At least 5 year(s)
    Post Date:
    1/18/2011
    Contact Information
    Contact:
    Gannett Human Resources
    Description These positions are located in Asbury Park, NJ and Nashville, TN and relocation to these areas would be required.

    Gannett Co., Inc. is accepting applications for Design Team Leaders. The Team Leader uses cutting-edge design and technology to create visually effective and appealing print products that adhere to legal, ethical and quality standards. The team leader manages the workflow of a group of newspaper page designers assigned to a specific cluster of newspapers. Is responsible for creating complex page designs and graphic elements; may occasionally produce interactive graphics.
    Requirements

    * At least 5 years design experience required.
    * Bachelors degree preferred
    * Supervisory experience necessary.



    Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an international news and information company operating on multiple platforms including the Internet, mobile, newspapers, magazines and TV stations. Gannett is an Internet leader with hundreds of newspaper and TV web sites; CareerBuilder.com, the nation’s top employment site; USATODAY.com; and more than 80 local MomsLikeMe.com sites. Gannett publishes 82 daily U.S. newspapers, including USA TODAY, the nation’s largest-selling daily newspaper, and more than 650 magazines and other non-dailies including USA WEEKEND. Gannett als

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  43. Gannett is an Internet leader

    Who told THAT lie?

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  44. Today's Arizona Republic ran a half page ad listing 2010 accomplishments which they referred to as "SWEET 6ix-cess"
    1. 12 News
    2. The Arizona Republic
    3. AZCENTRAL.COM
    4. AZCENTRAL.COM MOBILE
    5. INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM
    6. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    More important than investigative journalism and community involvement, the cornerstones of the newspaper industry was combining the TV stations' operations and newspaper saving Gannett a lot of money. Congratulations Gannett and The Arizona Republic- You're a moving company!

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  45. Been rumors that deadline was going to be pushed up A LOT. About an hour and a half earlier. Don't know if this was for when the Design Center comes online or before. Don't know how they could do it. Nothing in sports would get in at all. Hope it's just that, a rumor.

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  46. @2:52 - design studios won't affect deadlines. either something else is causing the change in deadlines for you, or it's just a rumor.

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  47. I grew up reading the APP and worked at the pre-Gannett Home News. What GCI has done to both of those organizations is criminal. When the Star-Ledger is the best paper in New Jersey, you know something is terribly wrong.

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  48. Rumor has it the classified advertising director at in Fort Collins will be the new GM at Reno.

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  49. Is anybody noticing the uncommon amount of people moving around? New Publishers (transfers or promotions), other promotions as rumored in 7:43?

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  50. 8:21 All this moving around is related to the change in newspaper group presidents following Curtis Riddle's retirement. This is the ripple effect.

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  51. Also, several long-time publishers retired or left the company to pursue other interests before Riddle left so some of the moving around began last summer.

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  52. 7;43 are you kidding?????????

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  53. I just saw a tv clip on the winner of the Bob Hope Golf Classic in Palm Springs and wonder if our beloved GCI was ably represented at this year's event, as it was last year when Bob Dickey donned his cleats and glove carrying the Gannett flag.
    Anybody know if he participated despite his company's sub-par performance?

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  54. Heard one of the interview questions is "where do you see yourself in five years?" Shouldn't we be asking that to the big G?

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  55. I don't think Dickey was there this week -- or last year, for that matter. I checked.

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Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."

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