You may also like The Editors' Blog | Techn&ology | Under the Dome
News
Web Search powered by YAHOO!
The Opinion Shop
Welcome to The Opinion Shop, where members of The N&O’s editorial board offer an eclectic array of their individual opinion products and give you an opportunity to offer your own.
The N&O and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Submitted by bwheeler on 04/21/2009 - 09:14
Thirty-one newsroom colleagues are leaving today. That’s a number those of us remaining can’t even process really, especially when you add in the number of those we’ve lost already.
Used to be when someone left, there’d be cake in the newsroom, a few kind words, or many kind words if that someone had been here a decade or two, words that included a recognition of the appreciated contributions. As far as I know, there’s no cake today. And I don’t know whether there will be any words at all. Because finding any that are a comfort at this point is nearly impossible.
Sitting where I do, as the gatekeeper to the letters to The N&O, I’ve read plenty now from people downright gleeful about the “demise” of The N&O. I’m not sure why some people still don’t understand that many newspapers, The N&O included, are doing just fine circulation-wise, thanks. It’s the toilet-swirling advertising revenues and the amount of debt our parent company holds that have brought us to this incredibly sucky day at The N&O.
Good people and amazingly talented journalists, not agenda-pushing liberal demons, are headed out into the unknown, many of them unknown to you, the reader, but integral parts of what you see. These are people who felt a calling, much like nurses and doctors and teachers, who do their jobs not for the money (heaven knows) but for the public, for you and for themselves, because they understand the critical role a newspaper plays in our democracy. Many of them toiled at night — till midnight, 1 or 2 a.m. — for years and years to bring you a morning paper.
There’s Moe, whose name you’ve seen only in 7-point type under some graphics, but who among 1,000 various graphic-related things makes sure your weather map and all its various parts are in your paper correctly. There is not a kinder, steadier, more unflappable, knowledgeable person at this newspaper. In my 22 years here, I have never seen the man angry, and that’s saying something.
There’s Van, who would be in a tight race with Moe for steadiest and kindest. Van, who always believes the best of people, who sees them with only good intentions. As an editor, Van is the person in the building who always, always, above everyone else, puts the reader first. You’ve lost your best advocate.
And Lou, one of the best headline writers we have here. If you’ve seen an excellent headline on a Durham-datelined story, chances are it was written by Lou or Bill, lost in the last round of buyouts.
And Josee and Laurie, hard-working, creative and smart moms working part-time on the copy desk. We lost every part-timer, in fact, which only diminishes our diversity of backgrounds and life experiences.
And Winston, who as the night editor for years and years trained innumerable young reporters who always seemed to start on the cops beat and reported to Winston. I can’t imagine there’s anyone else here who has had a larger hand in training up the cubs in the ways they should go.
And Rob and Eileen, who came with a wave of California folk in the mid-90s who wanted to call our front page “the cover” (heresy!!) but whom you had to forgive for it when you discovered what amazing journalists they were. It would be hard to count the number of 75-word New York Times sentences that Eileen has saved you from over her years here as a copy editor.
And Ned, whom I haven’t really ever worked with but whom I have heard called at least 20 times since we heard he’d be leaving “the best newspaper editor The N&O has ever had.”
There’s Jane, who with grace and enthusiasm always was willing to take on a new role for the good of the whole.
And Peder, of course, who was able to tell you goodbye in one more excellent Sunday column. Peder, my fellow conservative-leaning colleague who never shied away from coming to debate the issues with the editorial department, a healthy thing for any newspaper. We had already been forced to mourn the passing of his brilliant book columns; now we must mourn the death of Peder's ideas among our pages.
And there's Wade and Joe and Joyce and Marti and Bonnie and Becky and Colline and Paul and the many others who were holding up their ends of our daily offering.
Tomorrow, when this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day is over, the rest of us at this amazingly wonderful newspaper will carry on with the calling but with holes in our hearts.
About the blogger
Burgetta Eplin Wheeler is the letters editor and page designer. She occasionally writes editorials. She can be reached at bwheeler@newsobserver.com or 829-4825.Want to post a comment?
In order to join the conversation, you must be a member of newsobserver.com. To register or to log in using your existing account, click here.Advertisements
Comments
If McClatchy survives...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 00:56 — AroobIf McClatchy survives this recession (depression) this year and advertising revenues come back at least partly in 2010, it will have survived the worst. It may eventually resort to giving the paper away for free in order to claim high circulation / penetration into Triangle-area homes to impress advertisers.
corporate gifts | promotional clothing | Promotional Products
Publisher's Own Fault
Sat, 06/27/2009 - 08:41 — environut08I used to be a journalist, too--15 years ago. It became apparent that the industry was going down the toilet when the corporate execs chose to make big bucks instead of turning to R&D to move into the world of the Internet. They were arrogant and complacent and laughed at my suggestions.
Now, they are having to shed personnel and slowly are lsoing ground. It is their own fault, and it's just like any other corporation. What is a shame that people lose their jobs, and I find it sad that most of them do not have the skills to work as a freelancer or negotiate and are too proud to work on the Internet.
Farewell, old friends
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 12:32 — bikeraIt is hard to watch what's happening in the newsroom. I worked in that ratty old dump for 31 years and there never was a day when I wasn't proud to say "I'm with the N&O."
The reason was simple: it was a wonderful collection of talented, cranky, loving, inquisitive, dedicated, kind, persevering, funny, brilliant and fascinating people. There was no place, good days and bad, better to be than the N&O newsroom.
But not now. I don't think I could watch this.
Rob Waters gone? Impossible! He's the best editor, ugly Hawaiian shirts and all, I had in my career.
Wade? A.J.? Gentlemen all. And Peder Zane is the smartest conservative I know, but he's a Yankee fan so that makes up for it. Kay? Lord, how many times did she save my butt on administrative details?
Jane Ruffin? We go back 34 years, back to the early days in
Fayetteville.
Colline was there when I arrived and news research was still called the morgue. She and Betsy and Cora and weird old Shabot.
It is small and bitter comfort, I know, but hold on to the sure knowledge that you made a difference. Not many people in this world can say that. The work you did and the kind of people you are made this city, this state and this nation a better place for a lot of people. A newspaper is a team, not a stage for stars, and our team put guilty people in jail, set innocent people free, cleaned our rivers and air, helped victims recover from hurricanes, and got even shot at (Duck, Jay and Chuck!) so the people of North Carolina would know the truth. And along the way, we'd made 'em laugh, made 'em cry and made 'em think. For 50 cents a day.
A rejuvenated N&O will likely rise one day, but it won't as good, as humane, as tenacious and as dedicated as the one we knew. Because those who have left earlier and those who leave now were the heart that drove that paper. The survivors who remain confront a Sisyphean task made even more difficult and frustrating because they don't know now long they have.
I am so damn glad I was one of you for so long. You were my heroes.
Dennis Rogers
N&O, 1976-2007
with tears
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 08:50 — beaver6I was a part-timer for 18 months on the Raleigh Times, made permanent friends, learned a great deal, prized my time there (before moving on to grad school and a teaching career). I have always felt that journalists are keepers of the flame of truth--the good ones, I mean, and the N&O has had some of the best.
I cannot imagine life in this area without the N&O. For one thing, who else is going to keep an eye on state government, reveal the crimes and misdemeanors of those who are supposed to handle the necessary business of our state? What other paper will offer "Sunday Reader," giving us samples from our state's burgeoning crop of writers? Where else will there be photography that is not only newsworthy but often worthy of the designation "Fine Art"?
I pray that somehow the N&O will survive this crisis and emerge from the ashes like the Phoenix, ready to fly again. We need your flights!
Others too -
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 17:58 — raleigh13I know this is largely by the newsroom and for those who care about the people in it, but I'd just like to chime in that 47 non-newsroom employees also left yesterday.
People who printed it and had a lot of pride in their product.
People who ran the technology end of things, helping everyone do their jobs in spite of aging hardware and outdated software.
People who generated the advertising revenue (salespeople, designers, assistants) -- who truly cared about how advertising could impact their customers bottom line.
And others ...
thank you
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 18:45 — bwheeler (author)for sharing that. i appreciate it.
From Ann Berry
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 17:28 — bwheeler (author)Burge, I have been trying and trying to post on the blog to say how beautifully you expressed everyone's heartbreak yesterday. As is par for the course, the N&O online trolls wouldn't let me on.
That's just one of the tinier reasons I cried out loud last night in North Hills cinema at the journalism movie with the stupid title when the hot young online flash, Della, concedes that the story she and Russell Crowe have finally teamed up to break should go to print first because "people ought to have newsprint on their hands when they read it."
Damn right they should.
And soon, a lot more of them won't have that option.
In truth, no other medium yet invented will serve the public anything like so well, for all the reasons you know and I know and all the other print journos know who weep silently or overtly for their proud profession on a daily/nightly basis all through this nightmare, heart-breaking, death-spiral year......
The gallant souls who left yesterday--I can't believe that roster yet.
All those greedhead publishers (not meaning any in particular, they're all guilty) knew not what they were doing to this democracy over these last decades. Evidently they still don't. Or don't care. And that's the worst page of a terrible tale.
Yours, by contrast, was one of the best.
Your fellow bleeder--
Ann B.
Angry
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 09:13 — cathyhughesBurgetta, what y'all are going through is pushing my Katrina buttons. A beloved city, a beloved news team, not taken care of. Attempts to put the blame on nature, macroeconomics. Whackos showing up to say it's divine retribution. Maybe some of the same recovery principles will apply. There's strength in community, even scattered, such as that on this comments page. It's all about grass-roots efforts, below the radar of clumsy, obstructionist officialdom. It's hard damn work, but rewarding, because even small measures of progress are manifestations of love, like the love your essay reflected.
From Elizabeth Wellington
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 06:00 — kissmeI say this all time, if it wasn't for the N&O, I wouldn't be a journalist today. This paper holds a special place in my heart. I have friends there still, (Shout out to Joyce Clark Hicks and Adrienne Johnson) and even though I live in Philadelphia, I feel I could come home to Raleigh and fit right in again - northern accent and all. So to see some of my teachers, especially Ned Barnett, Van Denton and Winston Cavin get let go is heartbreaking. As a reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, I've definitely seen my share of layoffs, but there is something about decimating an organization from its core that is particularly hard to watch. I wish all of the people leaving the best of luck. If it wasn't for you all, there would be no me.
Salt of the earth
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 23:59 — alkraft00My wife Veronica and I both worked for The N&O for over seven years and reading those names is just crushing. They are amazingly talented people, who worked nights, holidays and weekends, to give the city of Raleigh a wonderful newspaper. My wife and I can both empathize with those who lost their jobs (and those who didn't) since the newspaper we worked for in Seattle closed last month. In many ways the last 30 days have felt like eternity. But things are already starting to look up and i know they will for all of you. "It's never too late to be what you might have been."- George Eliot (1819-1880)
a true loss
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 22:11 — besheridanThis is a huge loss, for everyone. ... The staff of the N&O are the most professional and talented individuals I've ever had the pleasure to know. I am shocked and saddened to recognize so many friends in the group of departing staff... 12 years after leaving Raleigh, I've never forgotten what they all taught me... (especially Ned.. a true genius). I wish all the best to everyone, to those who are leaving and to those who are left to pick up the pieces. Please keep your great wit... the front page was absolutely brilliant. - bernadette
Another sad day
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 20:56 — petemathewsI'm just astonished at the names on that list. What a loss for the N&O and its readers, and for journalism.
In Lexington, our terrible day was March 23.
Heartbreaking
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 20:47 — tedrickThere's a very old saying that has come to mind too many times in my long career: Newspapers will break your heart.
This was one of the most heartbreaking days of all.
Craig
Frankly, it's a damn shame
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 20:41 — hawks77Great stuff, Burg. And that front page -- didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so I did a little of both.
Many of the people who walked the plank today taught me damn near all of what I know about putting out one hell of a newspaper. Fine people, real people. Authentic. People chock-full of integrity and a strong work ethic. Smart, witty, kind, patient, talented, skilled, funny, knowledgeable, skeptical and, yes, irreverent. Professionals all, and all a pleasure to be around.
The N&O and our industry have been diminished. Think I'll head out and find a bar stool -- where I learned the rest of what I know about journalism -- and toast one and all. You are in my heart and head forever.
Damon
Thank you!
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 19:55 — apeters539If only your words could be printed for all to see. Not many people realize how much goes into getting out a paper ... especially to the N&O's standards. My prayer is that the community the staff has served so well will now step up and offer them jobs worthy of their talents. ---- Sarah Friday Peters
What Raleigh has Lost
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 19:19 — HsteppWhat a lovely tribute, Burgetta. It's only been two years since I left the newsroom, but I am horrified by what has happened since then. For all of the newspaper's shortcomings, the people of the N&O were never one of them. Everyone I had the pleasure of working with was truly committed to putting out the best paper they believed possible. To see that go away in such large numbers is truly sad. I wish them all the best.
Beautiful.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 17:53 — doddsfamilyI'm another mid-'90s veteran, and I just can't imagine the face of the paper as it stands now, without all these ... faces. I am gutted.
I have little to add to what Burgetta and many of my former colleagues have said here, except: Keep on saying it. The world needs truth-tellers and truth-seekers. There are no better ones than those who are, and were, behind the walls of The N&O. -- Robin Dodds
Maybe everthing that dies some day comes back
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 17:25 — tinkerrrThis is Tinker Ready who worked at the N&O with half those people in the 1990s. I saw their front page. They are all going out with their heads up, as they should. I salute you my colleagues and say this:
We’ve still got our feet. We still know how to tell a story and get it right. We are the keepers of the dying art of reporting. We’ll be back.
Or you could look at this way: You’re free.
Nice job BW. I cried. Again.
Beautifully written,
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 17:00 — editaurBeautifully written, Burgetta.
I am pleased to call some of these fine people my friends (News Orange! How will they function without you?) and proud to have worked with them all, both as a fellow journalist and now as a tree-hugging shill.
I truly believe this ship will right itself eventually. A free society cannot function without a free press, whether it prints on paper or in bytes. I only hope that these professionals will still be available - and willing - to share their talent and wisdom.
Thank you
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 16:54 — mlcongerTo all of you: Thank you all for everything you taught me when I was at the N&O. You're such professionals, and your talents and spirit will be missed. Burgetta, you put it in such lovely words. Thank you for honoring everyone's talents in such a wonderful way.
In Ned and Rob, The N&O is
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 16:17 — LJPerezIn Ned and Rob, The N&O is losing the two editors reporters sought out time and again to help craft their stories and make them sing. In Roger, you had one of the most ambitious idea men to shoot for the moon in sports, where A.J. confounded skeptics who believed you couldn't be a decent human being and a good journalist.
Becky, Paul, Jason, Sam, Kay and everyone else walking out the door, you will be missed.
thank you
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 16:03 — barbie50This is a beautiful piece of work. I value the N&O staff. People simply don't realize that without them, there would be so much wrong. Without our media watchdogs, government in particular would be unchecked. I worry that as the staff is cut more and more, that watchdog function will be destroyed.
Burgetta, you wrote from your soul. I know many of the folks you talked about, and even those that I didn't know were given a face in my mind thanks to your blog.
Bless you.
Heartrending
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 15:02 — RoygreeneBurgetta,
Your touching tribute rekindles a flood of memories, as I had the pleasure of working side by side with many of these talented folks for nearly a decade.
Who could forget Tom Mosier's can-do diligence and wry sense of humor; Lou Bond's comic headline touch and quick laugh that could light up the whole copy desk; Van's passion and quiet confidence; Winston's ownership of the nightside, affection for the weather round-up, encyclopedic recall of arcane Beatles tunes, and one of the best nicknames in the biz; A.J. the Gentleman's vast knowledge of all things N.C. sports; Ned's ability to make tops sing (and reporters to acknowledge that fact).
Go well, colleagues. You are not forgotten.
Thanks, Burg
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 14:49 — togburnBeautifully written, Burg. Thanks for putting into words what so many of us are feeling today.
An incredibly lovely tribute.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 14:02 — joycegarciaBurgetta, you outdid yourself. My heart is breaking for you guys as we dread our own fresh round of cutbacks here. Thank you for honoring our friends and colleagues so wonderfully. Hope you're hanging in there.
Very fitting tribute
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 13:33 — Jen1978I have tears in my eyes reading this and thinking about all the wonderful people I was lucky enough to know on both a personal and professional level. And it breaks my heart to know the N&O is losing yet another group of amazingly talented and dedicated staffers. I wish them all the best of luck.
Jennifer Bringle
A stellar group of alumni
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 12:23 — waughlWay to go, Burg. Words fail me. You found the perfect ones.
--30--
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 11:40 — askyWe used to do going away pages and big farewells for the decades of service. Thanks for putting some of what we're feeling into words. It's a loss that many feel, and more will notice as we go forward.
Au revoir
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 11:15 — lchavezI've mostly been avoiding A.J. Carr for the past five weeks because it hurt too much to see him in the office, smiling as usual, deeply concerned about everyone else. It has been hard to keep emotions in check because we are being forced to bid adieu knowing Juice took one for the team. Everyone in the office today, make sure you give him one last fist bump for the road.
Thanks to all
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:53 — abechtel1Thank you for recognizing these talented people, especially the "behind the scenes" staff who did so much to make the paper the best it could be every day. I feel fortunate that I had the honor of working with many of them.
Even though I have not worked at the paper since 2005, I will always consider myself an N&O person. I hope that those leaving now will feel the same way as they move on to new opportunities.
friends, neighbors, professionals
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:35 — barbecueI've worked in public information for government for many years, and so many of these people are familiar to me from phone calls, e-mails and articles over the years. They're wonderful people, talented writers and editors and designers, always professional and always caring about putting out the best possible newspaper for their readers. Thank you for ensuring that they don't leave without recognition for all they have done. This should never have happened. It is heartbreaking to watch what happens to family-owned newspapers when corporations take over.
This is a fitting tribute to
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:28 — mmoriarityThis is a fitting tribute to the enormous talent that has been lost. It hurts to think of the N&O as a ghost town-version of the excellent newspaper where I spent the majority of my formative journalism years.
Nice
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:02 — stsmith1Thanks for writing that! Well put!
please add your own
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:39 — bwheeler (author)not having been sucked into the facebook vortex myself, i dont know whether im using the right terminology, but i invite all here who read this to add whatever words you like about anybody else who is leaving today or who has left. it can be our "wall," our tribute.
a couple more
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:58 — brookecainAJ Carr, one of the nicest human beings on this planet, is taking his retirement effective today. It's hard to imagine Sports (or the N&O) without him.
And Paul, who did EVERYTHING in Photo. If a reader has ever called here wanting information on how to find or purchase a photo, Paul has helped them. I have no idea who can fill that void.
Sam, the hardest working reporter in the newsroom. Here till all hours covering cops at night. Good luck, Sam.
Aimee and Kay, news support staff who answer the phones and direct readers to the right place. And basically do everything else, too. If you don't know how to do something or where to get something you need, you ask them.
Susan, Roger, Sabine, Joyce, Joe, JD, and many more ... It's a very sad day indeed.
Thank you so much, Burge.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 09:40 — chucksmallI was hoping that The N&O would publicly acknowledge this loss in some way that was human and powerful, more than in a sentence or a formal platitude. You did that, and I thank you for it.
Chuck
The grand dame of newspapering
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 09:34 — FlowerpowerGod bless the N&O, one of the best, if not THE BEST, newspapers in the country, if not the world. I remember fondly the multi-page features that thoroughly covered the issues of the day, and desperately hope this does not mean the demise of the PAPER N&O is somewhere on the horizon.
Even today, with the newspaper up on the computer screen, there is something tactile and satisfying about holding the big, fat, stuffed Sunday N&O out on the NC beaches, of separating the sections in my den to find Home on Saturdays--never a need to click "next"--you could just shift your eyes down to the next story.
Here's hoping this diabolical DEPRESSION will abate, and the N&O will once again staff up and print the paper copy.
Nobody's said it better
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 09:33 — carolmfreyYou've written what's on my heart, Burgetta. Keep doing it.