Phoenix Blog

See link for opinion on Gannett finanancials on another blog:

http://www.oberjuerge.com/?p=552

journalists on the list above worked hours to put out the best product under Gannett conditions without selling out despite New Times criticism. except Dozbaba.
watch for changes as replacements can't cope and upper management is clueless.

Oh my lord. They cut Joe Garcia, the community conversation editor. Where else will they find a worthless hack? More importantly, why did it take Gannett so long to dump this ogre?

You got something to say about joe Garcia? Keep it to yourself you feckless moose loaf....

Horray for BobbyQ and old friend Bud Wilkinson.

Yet you must lay much of the Republic decline or death at Jeff Dozbaba's feet or head.

He was the Peter Principle exemplified.

To Counterpoint BobbyQ, how many reporters lost their jobs due to Dozbaba's inadequacies as a manager?

Also, granted newspapers have not adapted to centurial change (happens the beginning of every century - i.e., industrial revolution at beginning of 20th Century.). Yet Dozbaba did not know how to communicate. He didn't return phone calls or emails that could have put success back into the Rep.

To Dan Shearer--one of the nicest, kindest leaders I've ever known. I know you'll land on your feet! Thank you for giving me my first shot at newspaper work--and thanks for your guidance! I just hope I get the chance to work with you again!

I've known Joe Garcia for 25 years. He is one of the best journalists I've been blessed to work with.

if management had done its job rather than worrying about their golf and spa appointments these people might still have their jobs. The economy is bad but the Republic is doing even worse than other papers across the country- even the Wall Street Journal told us that

Several years ago, Laurie Merrill gave me my first assignments as a freelance writer. I had worked in various aspects of Marketing and PR for many years, then decided to make the switch to freelance writing. She had faith in me and my writing when I didn't have complete faith in myself. She gave me numerous feature assignments and helped me navigate the waters of weaving a story from idea to pitch to assignment to publication. I now freelance full-time (yes, you can make a living at it, although it's a constant scramble...) and I owe much to Laurie. Thank you, Laurie, I hope you see this...
Paula Hubbs Cohen, paula.cohen@cox.net

bob golfen--if you read this, thanks for the articles you have written on Buddy stubbs Harley-Davidson and for the unqiue automotive press you have provided the Valley. I don't undertsand how they can propser without you?
--Rachel

The newspaper industry is tanking under the weight of a business model that is not sustainable in the 21st Century. These cuts are being made across the publishing industry, not just at The Republic. There were plenty of other non-newsroom folks laid off after 10, 20 and even 30 years of dedication to the company in marketing, services, circulation, advertising, and production. It's a terrible time for anyone who was on that list--regardless of their contributions (or lack thereof) to the company. Not only is it the holidays, but we all know the job market stinks in every sector. Many of these folks have no experience outside of news, and are facing tough times as they try to redirect their lives. Insulting them here is terribly insensitive.

And while these cuts are unfortunate, you still can't blame it on any one person or "management" as a whole. The business model has to change, just like it does for the auto industry and other suffering sectors that have not kept up with the times.

I talked with John Davis, the golf writer, and he was not involved in this latest layoff.

Jeff, John, Dan, Buddy, Dennis, Laurie... I'm sorry such a thing had to happen to such good folks. It's been eight years since I left the paper and I remember with fondness the time there. Everytime I'm in town it looks less like I remembered and there are fewer familiar names. Sadly, the connection keeps getting thinner.

Bobby O: Thanks for your posts. Doz will rank as one of my all-time favorite bosses. (He seemingly worked miracles transforming the East Valley zones from a preprint to a daily and maanged to make it fun in the process.)

Once the Republic door hits you in the ass, (as it will me, soon I hope), a warm butt soon will fill your cooling chair.

Since moving to Phoenix several years ago, I have had the fortunate pleasure of knowing many on the list both as exceptional journalists and, even better, as wonderful friends. They are hard-working, loyal, dedicated, talented and COMPASSIONATE people, and I wish them best of luck in their next pursuits. The Arizona Republic and Gannett's loss is some other company's gain -- and I truly hope that company has something to do with journalism. True journalists are a breed apart.

Even as a staunch defender of freedom of speech, I implore those wtiting on this comments board to have the respect and maturity to not rub salt in the wounds of people losing their livelihood in these dire economic times.

Is it just me, or is there some linkage between the cutbacks at the East Valley/Scottsdale Tribune and the cuts at the Republic? Does the Republic now feel "safe" with a diminished presence in the East Valley?

It's great to see some of the more compassionate folks checking in during the past 24 hours, and some people I remember (or at least can guess).

Vicki D: By using the phrase, "it's not what you do, it's what you are" in response to Kay's post, my only point was that when you've worked in an industry for more than half of your life (as was the case with most of the people who were affected), it's tough to go from sixty to zero in a day. I'd certainly put many other careers in the same category.

You raise a good point: There are still rewarding opportunities in any number of endeavors. But you'll have to forgive me if I hold off awhile and wait for the shock and anger to dissipate before I bring that up.

Sure, co-workers are a "family" to each other, but to the reading public, some of the arrogant Columnists are nothing more than irritating. Joe Garcia is an itch that finally got scratched. People desired a friendly debate, questioned his point of view and ... NO RESPONSE. he NEVER talked to anybody, so it's hard to feel sorry for the guy.

Bottom Line ~ Without the pull of readership, what Advertiser is going to PAY MONEY to advertise where nobody will see it? Would YOU?

Having worked at both the Trib and Republic, reading stories about these layoffs is like scanning the obituaries after a disaster and seeing familiar names. I haven't been in a newsroom in years, and it's still heartbreaking.

I hope Jim Fickess reads this; he was my first boss at the Republic and was a consummate professional. His good humor and even, steadfast manner were to be emulated by both young and seasoned journalists.

Whitby, it's you! Bubba's not high.

Perhaps what's saddest about the layoff situation and it's been true at the Republic since who knows how long, is that loyalty, evidently, continues to be rewarded over competence. There are quite a few people who remain on the paper's staff who are dead weight, incompetent, or just plain mean, particularly in middle and upper management, whose decisions (even the rare well-intended ones) seldom were/are well-thought through. Any dope can layoff staff. Innovation and putting good staffers in positions where they could thrive and attract readership were what's lacking. In it's place was this sooty political air of punishment, putting senior talent in jobs they didn't ask or were ill-suited for, that have helped lead the paper to this deteriorated, demoralized state. Yet the mean and useless people stay and the extremely capable people are let go.
Gee, and they wonder why it can't sell?

More props for Dan Shearer here. I took a newswriting class from him some years ago, and he was a great instructor. So close to Christmas, too. :(

It's so sad to see this list. I took newswriting from Jim Fickess at ASU and he was a really great guy. I hope these journos find something great to sustain them.

Hey Corker...why don't you join your toothless friend Vern there in line for tickets to the O'reilly and Hannity shows...It appears that Fox "news" and People Magazine provide morons such as yourself all the education you can handle. Thanks for living up to all the stereotypes people have of dumbasses from the South. Put your comments in Soldier of Fortune you freaking freak.

Well, I hope that this signals a new direction for the completely biased and out of touch pro-illegal immigrant disgrace of a newspaper.

John Leach and Joe Garcia, regardless of how they "used to be" did everything possible to shove the pro-illegal slant of the paper down everyone's throats. These actions included trying to prevent reporters from use the term illegal immigrant.

Now, if the any decision makers from the Gannett Corp. ever reads this post, I recommend getting rid of Linda Valdez and EJ Montini.

The fact of the matter is that the majority of America is against illegal immigration and amnsesty. Instead of reporting about the true costs of illegal imimgration, they spend their times blasting those who are opposed to amnesty or printing sad stories about families being broken apart by one of the illegal immigrant family members being deported.

The only reason that I subscribe to the paper is to get the ads on Sunday. That is why I only take the Sunday paper.

People always hate to talk about when they are laid off. But as it has become every day's news headline since Yahoo started it with cutting 1500 of its task force last year, now a need of platform has been in demand where people can express their selves in words how they are feeling about their company, whey the got laid off was that justified or not.
And every thing they want to tell anonymously.And www.layoffgossip.com is providing you that platform.