Gannett Voluntary Buyouts

I just looked at their staff roster out of curiosity and they have 16 in their newsroom including Kevin. I was wrong on the experience, there are three still with his experience -- Miles Blumhardt, Kelly Lyle and Pat Ferrier. In a way amazing they've all lasted as long as they have there. With the lack of overall numbers there, I can't imagine there is tons of room left for buyouts but it's Gannett and the business so I am sure they could figure out how to do even less with less.

 

Here’s one from Worcester Mass

 

It's "Kelly Lyell," Roscablo.

Did some freelance work covering the then-CHL team in Loveland. Before my first game, Kelly and I talked for about a minute. Was superb with the bullet points ... talked as if we had known each other for a while, made every word and moment count. Learned more from him in under two minutes than some SIDs in an hour or more. Helped a LOT. Thanked him in person some months later ... I think I was at Moby watching Colorado State basketball on a pass from the health care provider (whom I worked for there in lieu of working at The Coloradoan). Kelly did top-notch work on the CSU beat after Tony Phifer saw the writing on the wall and went to work for the school. Even had an issue involving the school in my then-area not too long ago and e-mailed him. Shared Kelly's response with the school beat writer. In summary, cannot say enough good things about him.

All I know about Pat is a story done on the health care system where a supervisor of mine ended up quoted. She didn't really appreciate it. I understood why - and I think the world of her personally and professionally - but I had to tell her that, for stuff like that, that there's no such thing as "off the record." Not sure Pat's capturing that did anything for the story one way or the other and thought it was unnecessary, but I wasn't there.

I know Blumhardt has been there for a while. Never met him.

 

From Milwaukee

 

This is a mighty huge loss. Sammy Batten was one of the best I've ever had the opportunity to work with ...

Phone call created 31-year career for sportswriter

 

You’d think that guy was hopping aboard the Nina, the Pinta or the Santa Maria the way he waxes poetic about his epic 7 “and a half!” year stay in Milwaukee.

 

I'm too lazy to post the tweet but one of the Columbus Dispatch sports columnists said Monday was the -30- for "nearly a dozen" reporters/editors. I assume they all took buyouts. One for sure was a great fellow, Steve Blackledge, their preps guy.

 

And Sammy, as always, acts with class. That's a huge loss in Fayetteville. One of the best. Take care, Sammy.

 

Steve is a great guy

 

Grateful to be able to call Sammy a good friend. As as others mentioned, a true loss for The Observer.