Athens (Ga.) SE

A friend of mine that works in Athens said Andy Johnston is stepping down. Anybody heard similar rumblings? If true, there's some pretty big shoes to fill.

 

I was wondering when this would show up here.

From what I've heard -- and Andy might come here to add to this (or correct it) -- he has resigned to take some time off and play Mr. Mom for a while. His wife is a very successful freelance writer.

As for the size of his shoes, I'll reserve comment.

 

As will I.

 

Damn ...

Helluva job here, if Andy's leaving ...

 

I've had limited dealings with Andy, but he's always been an unbelievably nice guy to deal with. Best of luck to him.

 

Not to be antagonistic, butch, but if you're reserving comment, why even post?

.... and on topic, Andy is class, and he will indeed be difficult to replace.

 

I wasn't taking a shot at Andy, who's a good guy. The shoe size comment was supposed to be a joke -- which apparently bombed like Ishtar.

The staff in Athens is far different from when I left nearly two years ago, turnover there has been high for years, but it's a good opportunity for a first-time SE -- as long as you can handle the Morris factor.

 

A comrade told me about this last night.
Good section with a ton of good local stories -- w/ or w/o UGA

 

Someone I know who has some knowledge of this place said turnover at this paper was like a toll taker at a Turnpike Toll Road booth. Is it that bad a situation or is he exaggerating?

 

It's a 25k-circulation paper. I'd be more concerned if there WASN'T turnover.

 

I picked up a copy that was floating around the media room at the Final Four a few years back and it remarkably good for a paper that size.

Hell, there are two pretty damn good baseball writers and one of the best college football writers around as recent alumni...

 

It's a good section -- though the semi-recent loss of its top designer to Newport News will likely sting for a while -- but the sports section is by far the best thing about the paper. Though that's not always a high bar to clear.