Zell whacks 25 percent of Allentown newsroom

gordie always was good to me as a younger guy. he left a really secure spot in lancaster a few years back after being there for 20-plus years...damn, hate to see this happen to him.

 

Add me to the list of those who are stunned and sickened to hear of Gordie Jones' fate. He is a great guy and truly deserved better. There's no way anyone should go out like that, let alone someone as talented as he is.

Disgusting...

 

I was the only person here in the writers' dorm-office rooms with Gordie at Eagles training camp last night when he got the call. (I'm outing myself, but I don't care. My name is Les Bowen.)
I just want to say that Gordie is a good man and an excellent columnist, and that the people who did this should never live down the shame. You don't call a guy on Sunday night, after he's filed, and tell him you're taking his job away. If you lack the guts to do it face-to-face, by driving to training camp if that's what it takes, then you shouldn't be a manager.
Also, not to malign Allentown's sports staff, but you don't lay off your best writer, because you're trying to save money or because he does mostly pro stuff and you've decided to jump on the "hyperlocal" bandwagon, or whatever. I think the readers are going to notice he isn't there anymore.
I know Gordie reads this site, and I just want to reiterate what I said to him last night -- this certainly isn't your fault, you didn't do anything wrong, and as bad as the job market is, there has to be something for someone as hard-working and accomplished as you.
Take care, buddy.

 

Great note, Les. I've never met Gordie, yet I know of hard-working men and women in newspapers who are out of work now. I feel sad.

It makes me want to start a revolution of some sort because all the great minds and hard-working journalists out on the streets now can come together and build a formidable newspaper staff, bringing in all multimedia, social media and online media tools, too.

 

Gordie ... Jay Rotz here. If you're looking in, you're in our thoughts, man. You'll land on your feet quickly. You're too good not to.

 

Thanks for the insight, Les (by the way, I think you do a great job covering the Eagles).

I know Gordie has lurked here in the past We've exchanged a few PMs here and there. Gordie, if you're stopping by, drop me a PM. You got a raw deal, and I'd like to offer whatever support and help I can without outing myself publicly.

Take care and try to keep your head up. You're too talented not to land on your feet somewhere.

And if anyone from Allentown management is reading this (fat chance, I know), there had to be a better way to handle this. What a classless, chickenshit move.

 

It has reached the point where I do not believe a decent human being could purchase a copy of a newspaper owned by Sam Zell and retain their self-respect.

 

I'm honestly overwhelmed by all these kind words, to the point that I have tears in my eyes. Thanks so much, and best to all of you.

Gordie

 

Of all that has happened with the layoffs and buyouts, the firing in Tampa and now in Allentown may be the worst examples of disgusting, sleazeball management fuckuppery I've ever heard of.

Best of luck to you, Gordie.

 

don't get too emotional -- all the bashing is on another thread!

seriously, this bullshit is all we talked about at lehigh today. we're all hurting with you, and whatever you need, you have our numbers

fuck, even eckel was pissed. "Gordie's really, really good. And I don't think anybody's good."

 

Gordie,

Though we've never crossed paths, I know a bunch of us in Reading, including Steve Patton and Jerry Reimenschneider, will be lifting a pint in your honor.

Evan Jones