Jim Ross--My Friend
I found out late yesterday that the Herald Dispatch has terminated some 24 employees.
First of all, this was not something totally unexpected, the newspaper industry has generally been in a financial decline for some time. But community newspapers seemed to have been surviving the trend fairly well. Apparently declining revenues and failure to maintain the required level of profitability spelled the end for these employees.
Now, I only know of one of them for sure that I think was a terrible mistake. Jim has been steady for about 30 years at the newspaper in various capacities, all of which he has handled well. I recall when he was the business page guy that I had a stock which I owned and the paper seldom published it. After calling and explaining, the daily quotations appeared. Little things. Made me think more highly of the Huntington Publishing Company. And I will always remember it as HUPCO.
My uncle worked for the paper years ago, as an assistant to Maury Kaplan. He was a photographer and was all over the area and even out of the immediate area at times to get the photo that needed to be there. Times change, my uncle retired, then died. But spoke well of HUPCO and the dedicated employees.
I will miss Jim as the Editor of the Editorial Page. Even more I will miss him as a sometimes contributor to the "Forums" and all the time moderator of his "Hot Topics" blog. But most of all I will miss the knowledge that the blog, the Op-Ed page and the forums are under his purview. I would be remiss if I did not say that I do not see good times ahead for the online world of the Herald Dispatch.
I am unaware of the status of Andrea and Joe, but even if they are both still there, I foresee a lessening of interest on my part, as I know Jim will not be there to monitor the forums.
Jim, if you read this, and I hope you do get to it now and then, I want you to know I respect your abilities far more than any other editor I have ever known (including my own former son-in-law.) I have learned of your family (as have all others who lurked around your blog.) Were I able to help in any way in your current situation, I would do so. But all I can really give you is my very best wishes for you and your family in this trying time. And keep the faith, the Old Man Upstairs watches each of us. And He really does care. And He really does answer prayers, most times in ways we may not recognize immediately as the answer we were seeking, but later, on reflection, we come to know of His wonderful love and care.
Keep in touch with some of us so we know how you are doing.
We care, too.
First of all, this was not something totally unexpected, the newspaper industry has generally been in a financial decline for some time. But community newspapers seemed to have been surviving the trend fairly well. Apparently declining revenues and failure to maintain the required level of profitability spelled the end for these employees.
Now, I only know of one of them for sure that I think was a terrible mistake. Jim has been steady for about 30 years at the newspaper in various capacities, all of which he has handled well. I recall when he was the business page guy that I had a stock which I owned and the paper seldom published it. After calling and explaining, the daily quotations appeared. Little things. Made me think more highly of the Huntington Publishing Company. And I will always remember it as HUPCO.
My uncle worked for the paper years ago, as an assistant to Maury Kaplan. He was a photographer and was all over the area and even out of the immediate area at times to get the photo that needed to be there. Times change, my uncle retired, then died. But spoke well of HUPCO and the dedicated employees.
I will miss Jim as the Editor of the Editorial Page. Even more I will miss him as a sometimes contributor to the "Forums" and all the time moderator of his "Hot Topics" blog. But most of all I will miss the knowledge that the blog, the Op-Ed page and the forums are under his purview. I would be remiss if I did not say that I do not see good times ahead for the online world of the Herald Dispatch.
I am unaware of the status of Andrea and Joe, but even if they are both still there, I foresee a lessening of interest on my part, as I know Jim will not be there to monitor the forums.
Jim, if you read this, and I hope you do get to it now and then, I want you to know I respect your abilities far more than any other editor I have ever known (including my own former son-in-law.) I have learned of your family (as have all others who lurked around your blog.) Were I able to help in any way in your current situation, I would do so. But all I can really give you is my very best wishes for you and your family in this trying time. And keep the faith, the Old Man Upstairs watches each of us. And He really does care. And He really does answer prayers, most times in ways we may not recognize immediately as the answer we were seeking, but later, on reflection, we come to know of His wonderful love and care.
Keep in touch with some of us so we know how you are doing.
We care, too.
posted by tanstaafl | 4:34 PM
8 Comments:
Thanks.
My family figures this will all work out for the best. If nothing else, three kids will learn the lesson of what can happen to a person who in theory is secure. It's something they can remember when they dive into their careers.
I'll miss the folks I have chatted with. I never got to tell OldNumber7 so long directly.
I'm happy to see your blog updated. I've felt pretty lonely online this weekend :)
I'll miss Mr. Ross, and I feel selfish for whining (before I knew it was a job loss) about him not having his blog anymore. I spent the time from his post about a change in the opinion page through yesterday looking forward to the changes, only to discover that everything was the same, only not the same. Had I been involved in discussing changes a day or two before being let go, I'd feel lied to, used, and betrayed.
And maybe that's wrong of me to say, but it struck me that way, and it outraged me.
Thirty years. My GOD, that's most of my life, Tanstaafl! I never realized before...is that why I've loved the Herald Dispatch for so very long?
I'm sad. More than that, I'm worried about someone I've really come to love and admire. I met YOU through his blog! I mean, what wonderful people. What wonderful discussions. And frankly, I never saw anyone else at the paper encouraging everyone to write in with their letters and opinions for publishing. I can't help but think that the people in Huntington, and Cabell County...and Wayne County, West Virginia in general, and Ohio, and even over here in Kentucky, have lost an important voice. Something we really and truly couldn't afford to lose.
MOST important, though, is a man with one child about to enter college, and two others with time left in the school system. I'm sure others let go are in the same situation. Like you, I am praying. And praying. And praying. And thinking and thinking and thinking. And worrying and worrying and worrying.
Jim,
I understand. And will be back with you shortly.
Jim was always my favorite MSM blogger. I hope that he fires up his own blogspot site sooner than later (free from Champion cooperate policies).
*corporate
I join you in that hope, Chris.
Keep on truckin'!
What a lovely heartfelt tribute. Wish someone had said that to me when I lost my job.
I'd like to see him start his own blog as well. If he does, will you post a link here?
I imagine it will be set up as a link by a great number of people. I'll make sure everyone knows, if and when it comes up. That may be a while, though. Jim probably has a few higher priorities right now.
Good to hear from you again, Laurel.
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