East Valley Tribune gets hammered

And the late Bob Moran.

 

That really sucks. I think most newspaper companies are starting to get used to the idea that "this" is the new "normal" for the industry and waiting for things to return to pre-mortgage mess levels is just plain naive.
Operate like those aren't ever coming back and if they do, consider it a bonus.

 

Son of a ... my wife used to be a city beat reporter at this place and we know tons of people there, including many on Cosmo's list ... this is just sickening. I know many of us have been through layoffs, but half the company getting the ax seems especially cruel.

 

They offered me a job in 1982, but I took a different offer. At the time, they were owned by Cox and had not yet bought the Scottsdale Progress and Chandler Arizonan, and the Mesa Tribune and Tempe Daily News were still separate products. Eventually, the four dailies would be merged into one product. They were doing a lot of freewheeling stuff with design and packaging (for that era). It was interesting to watch them, over the next quarter-century, evolve into what I considered one of the nation's best suburban papers, especially its sports section. You folks did some great work, and while it's grim right now, try to remember all you accomplished and be proud of it.

 

This sucks.

 

No kidding. I always thought EVT did as good a job as the Republic, if not better in some cases. The Phoenix market just got a lot worse for the wear.

 

This one hurts. Bad. I know quite a few people -- good people -- who made the climb from Yuma to Mesa, and I just hope they land on their feet, one way or another.

That said, the withering of Freedom Communications continues.

 

Rats. Have a pal there. Waiting to hear if he made the cut or not, and not sure whether he'll want to have made it, either.

 

The even worse news is that publishers at other secondary papers in big markets are looking at this and saying,
"Wow, good idea ......."

 

wow. ??? went to school at ASU...used to read both papers every single day. still have some friends there.

best of luck to all of you...

 

It's been said before but needs repeating - If you work at a Freedom property you should be actively seeking employment elsewhere so when the hammer drops you'll be prepared or miss the blow altogether. It's going to get REAL ugly at these shops by the end of the year when the books are added up (as if this isn't ugly enough).

 

If you're going to do this, why not go all the way and close up shop? Seriously. This is awful.