that rosebud girl

my heart aches, it breaks.

Today, I found out about all the layoffs going on at various Gannett entities including of course, The News Journal in Delaware, a place very near and dear to me. Three people in sports were laid off and I knew all three. It absolutely broke my heart.

The one that hit me especially hard was hearing that Tom Coburn, the sports copy chief, was being laid off. Crops — that was his nickname — was very near and dear to me and just a wonderful guy. Crops was ever patient and easy to talk to and a fantastic boss. He helped me when I switched over to the copy desk there and taught me everything I know about being a good, solid editor. I considered him a fine mentor. He also gave me a John Starks New York Knicks jersey as a going-away present — Crops found it on eBay! — when I left Delaware, and it’s one of my prized possessions.

Kevin Noonan was also let go. I didn’t know Kevin that well, but I saw him around the office a lot, and he was a pretty funny dude. And a terrific writer and columnist. I read a lot of his Eagles copy when he covered the team. He was also the guy we used to just say, “He’s a professional” whenever we got his stuff ’cause we knew it would be clean and ready to go fast.

I also knew several other folks who weren’t in sports and were laid off.

The state of this profession just saddens me.

I wish the 31 at the News Journal all the best of luck. God bless.

December 2, 2008 on 5:11 pm | Comments Off