It appears that while trying to keep track of all the titled players in the San Bernardino Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin upheaval … I really could have used a program.
Someone with knowledge of the situation wrote to correct some of the information on the blog item directly below this one.
The overall concept is unchanged: Things are a bloody mess. But this individual seeks to correct some of the specifics, particularly pertaining to the ACE (assistant city editor) situation.
“I wanted to drop you a line about your latest blog post. I think your source was mostly right on, but there were a few areas I thought I could clear up. Although I read your blog frequently, I initially resisted e-mailing you. But the management is so tight-lipped about everything that you, Reporter-G and LA Observed are about the only ways anybody in the newsroom finds anything out these days.”
This individual said the information could be used … but asked not to be identified.
“There are a limited number of suspects these days and I’d like to keep my job — at least until I find a new one.”
What? You mean LANG editors are capable of vindictiveness? Who knew? (And yes, that’s sarcasm.)
Anyway, let’s see if we can clarify a few things.
“The ACE situation is baffling. One thing that was certainly incorrect in your blog post was that Ben Demers would be leading business coverage. Pat Maio is already doing that out of San Bernardino. He has a wealth of business journalism experience and has been operating as de facto biz editor since [Mike] Rappaport’s firing. [snip] If they do move him to Ontario, I think your theory about the storefront to keep up appearances of a local newspaper is the appropriate explanation.
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“Ben was apparently offered the Sun city editor job but didn’t want it. He might be on the move to Ontario or even San Gabriel (both are actually closer to his home than SB). He’s the night ACE five nights a week, and it would be a shame to lose him. [snip] The loss of two talented, dedicated editors (Ben and Pat) and the addition of one who is neither would be tough for me to stomach.”
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Thanks for the updates.
One more note: I’m sure any misinterpretations on the post (below) were my fault, and not the fault of the person who told me about it. There are just so many people moving around, I’m having trouble keeping track of them all. I trust we have it cleared up now.
1 response so far ↓
1 Mike Rappaport // May 5, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Of course with all the talk about management — and LANG ACEs are at the lowest level of management — one thing that often falls through the cracks is that the Sun and Bulletin no longer have enough reporters actually to cover their communities.
Meanwhile, those who remain are getting stretched to the max — folded, spindled and mutilated, in the reference from an earlier generation.
Last fall, when I was still Biz editor of the two papers, Jeff Keating informed me that Lambert wanted to get some ideas on starting a business weekly. I came up with some, and told them how much additional manpower would be needed.
“No additional manpower,” I was told. “We have to do it with what we have.”
“Niche” publications are big over there. I understand that the Bulletin’s most talented remaining reporter, Mark Petix, was transferred over to the Sun to be the reporter on “Riverside Weekly.”
LANG — the bland leading the blind.
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