DISQUS

True, a living wage would be nice and a staff that stays at the paper for more than a couple of years so they can get some sources under their belt. So the Randy Gordon's of the cities don't gobble up the city and get away with it like a fat kid in a candy shop.

The Molina purchase is an interesting Idea, but I think that non-profit might be the way to go for Journalism.
The Press-Telegram needs some old PT fan to will them some large amount of cash, put it in a hedge fund ( that invests in the baby boom generations death, a guarantee ) and let it self generate cash for the papers production. Or let Dean Singleton/MediaNews buy more papers on the backs of our local readers.

Dave Feenstra still needs a hug.
I don't mean a short one, I'm talking about the inappropriate long ones that they give to kids with A.D.D. they usually resists but then finally give and let it all out with tears, followed by pointing to the doll where the bad man touched him.

Sergeant Hulka: "Lighten up, Francis."

Source: -Movie ( Stripes) , 1981

Dave, you need a hug.

I have an Idea why don't we put in a bad theater, Wal-Mart then a Hooters, then a 7-11 and why not throw a sex shop in mix along with an over priced sports bar, put cameras on every corner. Get a bunch of blowhards who do nothing to meet once a month and call it the Up-town Business Association.

We can call it Pine Ave II

Just put something in there ASAP cuz I'm sick and tired of getting KFC while I shop for hip hop fashion while on by break from the comedy diving school just before I get an infection from getting my nails done eating orange chicken and getting held-up for 10th time at Wells Fargo. But we have our farmers market!!!

61 Comments F-me it would be great if we all put this kind of energy into the Humans being euthanized in the streets of Long Beach.

Scrabble anyone? I hate it but love the way it smells.

Dennis I want to have drink with you and make some bad decisions.

The Archbolds, Allisons and Glickens are a bunch of lost balls in high weeds.

http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/04/cityb...

oops! I didn't mean the District....

Steve Lowery Keep your head-up, you had the Ballz to bail early not drag it out like some Newspaper editors do.

Desiree, forget the spca just create a task force like the " Guardian Angels " and walk around the neighborhood and stop the influx of animals going to the spca. You can take action yourself of blame others.

How about another Noah's Arc ? oops

Ummm... I think the greater problem is the fact that they Kill !!!! animals each week !!!!! . Spend the energy on saving the rest in the cages who and the ones who are on death row. Or on the ghetto-ass people who get dogs and can't even take care of there own children, let alone the dogs. ( the pit was most likely one )

Yes a mistake was made, and he should be punished but don't piss on the shelter people, theses guys are dealing with stupid humans an they are doing a great job cleaning up after them.

Where the F is Bob Barker when you kneed him!!!!

See ya at The Cellar for a cold PBR

...and yes thats a traditional Irish name, originally Shamus Sawltibawls, my Great Grandfather changed is on Ellis Island and when he joined the Dead Rabbits gang.

May the bearer of the news be safe.
Gura slán an scéalaí

Daniel De Boom,

Singleton/ Media News owns the Grunion Gazette !!!!!!

An its fired onto every lawn and porch to those who want it or not.

The PT should and probably will do that soon.

http://www.cnpa.com/Bulletin/011204/index.html

January 12, 2004 John and Fran Blowitz last week announced the sale of their two Long Beach community weeklies, the Grunion Gazette and the Downtown Gazette, to West Coast MediaNews LLC, a whollyowned subsidiary of MediaNews GroupInc.The couple had owned and operated theGrunion since 1981, and they started the Downtown Gazette in 1988. The free tabloid papers have a combined weekly distribution of 65,000 and reach more than 190,000 readers. MediaNews CEO William Dean Singleton reportedly expects to name anew publisher in the next week, but the Blowitzes will stay on as consulting pub-lishers for the next two months, and the Gazettes’ 17-person staff and distinctivecommunity focus will remain, accordingto a Jan. 8 Gazette article by Executive Editor Harry Saltzgaver.“We took care of our employees, which was first and foremost. Everybody isguaranteed a job,” John Blowitz told CNPA last week. As part of the sale, hestipulated that the head of the nation’sseventh-largest newspaper company mustcome and speak to the staff personally. Singleton “assured everybody that MediaNews wanted them and that they would remain independ-ent,” Blowitz said. MediaNews’ LosAngeles Newspaper Group(LANG) also owns the Press-Telegram, Long Beach. Terms of the sale were not disclosed,but a Press-Telegram article cited industry sources who put the price at $10 million.

Don't think they aren't slowly whittling away at the Gazette, I think the " staff " is now down to 9 ? if that.

“”We think we’re sexier. We know we’re smarter and more loyal.”"

First of all you must be one of the ( well into retirement age ) PT managers who hears no evil, sees no evil and speaks no evil.
I think the " loyalty " comment was towards their staff and readers, meaning media news has no loyalty to their staff or readers.

As a reward for the PT readers " loyalty " for more than 100 years, the readers are now spoon fed OC Register, Breeze, and LA Daily News stories.


Comments from LAT writer Tim Rutten via LAOobserved in 2006.

Tim Rutten: His Saturday column in the Times argues that much is at stake in the inner Tribune dispute over the size of the paper's staff:
To borrow a homey image from Henry Adams' agrarian America, the smart guys among our newspaper managers will not be the ones who eat their own seed corn simply to fatten themselves through another fleeting season.
Whether newspapers belong to individual proprietors or corporate stockholders, the future — and its profits — will belong to those who are both socially responsible enough and financially hard-headed enough to carry what is indispensable about the present into the era now struggling to be born.

Los Angeles will be one of the places where we'll eventually find out whether newspaper journalism's current distress is a birth pang or a death rattle.

I Hope Rich Archbold shows up and explains how relocated and letting go 40 percent of the Press-Telegram staff will " help " the paper and the 19 cities it attempts to cover.

Look out Doug Krikorian......Tommy Lasorda is 80 tick.. tick.. tick

SPJ's Northern California Chapter Calls MediaNews Out on Staff Cuts

By E&P Staff

Published: March 05, 2008 1:50 PM ET
NEW YORK The Society of Professional Journalists’ Northern California Chapter today expressed concerns about the latest round of staff cuts by MediaNews Group at the San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times, and the 26 other regional newspapers controlled by the company — and called for more accountability on the company’s part for the effect the cuts will have on newsgathering.

“Reports from chapter members signal to us that we can no longer stand on the sidelines when it comes to scrutinizing the effects of these cutbacks on the breadth and quality of news coverage,” board President Linda Jue said in a statement. “We aren't simply talking about saving jobs. We're talking about how business decisions are narrowing the choices reporters and editors make about which stories to pursue. This is of special concern during an election year, when keeping the public informed about fast-changing economic, political and social issues is essential to the democratic process."

These staff reductions, which will be made in the next few days, come on the heels of two additional staff cuts in 2007.

While the board is mindful of the economic challenges facing newspapers, it is calling on MediaNews to reconsider its business strategy and recall its stated commitment to quality journalism. The board pointed out that these new cuts are being made just after MediaNews reported a 33.9% increase in quarterly net income.

In a release, SPJ stated that it is “dedicated to the perpetuation of high journalistic standards that keep citizens well informed on matters affecting their lives and their communities. Therefore, the chapter has a professional obligation to monitor the impact of this series of cutbacks on the free flow of reliable information to residents living in communities served by MediaNews.

“The NorCal chapter will work with its membership to collect data documenting the effects of the cutbacks on San Francisco Bay Area news coverage,” the organization added. “Chapter representatives will seek direct discussions with senior management of MediaNews as well as journalists, union representatives, media analysts, academics, community leaders, and other interested parties. The board plans to share its findings with the public and with concerned governmental officials.”

E&P Staff (letters@editorandpublisher.com)

Hey pt-lbc,
Your and ad guy or the promotions guy who sells posters at the Grand Prix for a $1 and ear plugs for the same price, " promoting " the PT, very inovative Idea and a great deal considering when you buy them in bulk it cost you 10 cents. Why not give them the posters for free? of and the ear plugs. Wow you are really thinking outside the box . Oh and congrats on the better position, tust me you stick around long enough ( 3-6 months ) and you literally might be publisher.
Trust me the union workers know what work is and though your management you should be fighting for better content to attract more readers so you can up-grade from the Dodge Stratus to the KIA SUV. And If your having issues in you department talk to a union rep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TROhlThs9qY

Coffee is for closers!!!

MERELY A FLESH WOUND!!!

I think Singleton has MS.

by the way not good for his flesh.

Just asking,
Were they union? or did all of the 20 plus imaging department get together and call someone?

HEY HOW ABOUT NON -PROFIT NEWSPAPERS? THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES DOES IT AND THE COVER THE SH*T OUT OF THEIR CITY. AND BEYOND.

Ok, so one of Rich Archbolds statements at the City Council meeting that was we wern't losing any reporters is false. The two that are leaving are supposedly to be replaced today internally, either from the Editorial Board or Sports. So thats still losing reporters. Another illusion is if you look at the bylines on the stories and photos and it says " John Doe/ Staff Writer " its not necessarily a PT staffer ( i.e. today Sports C3 Laker Story .) Do you think they would send a Pt staffer waaaay up to sacremanto to cover the Lakers? no you are going to get the same story or photo from the same angle same quote that you can get from all it dozens of socal sister papers. Its called clustering or Cluster F*#$. It's a shell game MediaNews is playing with the emplyees, city council, Long Beach tax dollars invested in the Press-Telegram for less coverage? Thats a bad busness plan for the citizens of Long Beach and they should have a say how their hard earned money is being spent. Why not have stipulations in contracts when you do buisness with the Press-Telegram?.
Pay the Press-Telegram employees a" LIVING WAGE " comperable to living in Southern California, like 2008 not 1988. Invest in the Press-Telegram and how about standard provisons in contracts with the Press-Telegram. The one thing that is clear is that MediaNews understands $$$ MONEY $$$$ and you now have their attention because your speaking thier language.

oops http://lbguild9400.blogspot.com/2008/02/small-m...

Here is the link on Stress-telegram http://www.lbreport.com/news/feb08/ptnot.htm