Comments on: My Career At The Springfield News-Leader Has Ended

By: Walter

Walter — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:22:58 +0000

Thank you, Chris. I no longer live in Springfield, but I continue to follow stories of interest to me there via the News-Leader website. I have been dismayed at the newspaper’s plummet in quality. Your departure will only diminish the paper even more.

Best of luck to you.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:07:43 +0000

Walter, I can only answer Question #1 definitively, and the answer is no. We had someone else in the newsroom go too. I won’t mention their name or position for confidentiality reasons.

As for questions 2 or 3, I didn’t have much to do with data collection (that would be the data editor’s job) or anything about LAGERS (that would be something for the metro desk). Wish I could help you but I know nothing about the questions.

By: Walter

Walter — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 02:54:28 +0000

Chris,

Sorry you got laid off. Gannett’s strategy for surviving the current economic situation is stupid and doomed.

Now that you are no longer employed there, I’m hoping you will answer a couple of questions:

1. Were you the only newsroom staffer laid off in this latest round?

2. Why hasn’t data on City Utilities salaries been updated since 2006?

3. I heard quite a while ago that the News-Leader had obtained the data about LAGERS pension payments to former Springfield city and CU employees, but that for some reason (pressure from city and CU officials?) it never was put up on the website. Any truth to that?

Good luck in finding a new employer who will better appreciate and reward your talents.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:32:39 +0000

I’m sorry to hear you were laid off, Chris but, as long as you continue to rely on God and trust it is all in His hands, I have no doubt everything will work out for your good. That is God’s promise to those who love Him.

In the meantime, I will pray for you as you come to mind (and you WILL come to mind).

May God bless you as you seek direction from Him!

By: John Reinan

John Reinan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:58:38 +0000

Chris, I’m a former newspaper reporter, now in marketing. I started my career with Gannett and worked for 3 Gannett papers before moving on to Knight Ridder and later McClatchy. (Early in my career, I worked with Kate Marymont.)

You’re taking this event with more grace than many would. I don’t think anyone would begrudge you the “where the sun don’t shine” remark!

And I, like many, am left scratching my head over why Gannett would let you and others like you go as they make the transition to a digital environment.

The struggles of the newspaper business are painful to everyone who is in it, everyone who has left and everyone who simply values what newspapers provide.

I don’t have any magic words to make you feel better, but you went out with dignity, integrity and class. That’s worth something.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:36:42 +0000

You’re in my prayers man. You needed to go back home. You really needed to get out of Springfield. This is a blessing…you just can’t see it right now.

By: Layoff badness … « Mike and Mo

Layoff badness … « Mike and Mo — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:07:02 +0000

[...] time, but it still sucks. We’ve lost some incredibly talented people in the last year and our awesome videographer is among them. My only hope is that if I’m ever terminated, I can handle it with as much [...]

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:01:56 +0000

I’m so sad to hear you’re leaving MO. :( Keep on making those great videos and taking great pictures.

By: North Springfield

North Springfield — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:58:58 +0000

I’m sorry to see you go. Gannett seems to be turning its back on the future of media. The standard website template Gannett uses for all of their papers is impossible to navigate and not user friendly at all, which I’m sure leads to the failure of their online presence.

I agree with Matthew on the lack of community spirit coming from the newspaper. Negativity is why I canceled my subscription. I look to my local newspaper to uphold the community, not attacking city and county government, printing biased articles.

I hope that eventually Gannett fails and is forced to start selling off these community newspapers to the actual communities they serve. Until then I’ll be supporting the SBJ and the Community Free Press.

Good luck.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:55:25 +0000

Kathy–

Thank you for the kind words, and my best to you as well.