I’m trying to comprehend the impact these layoffs will have on Connecticut’s largest newspaper. (Not so large anymore.)
Some of the names on this list are virtual institutions.
Mark Paziokas, for instance — one of the very best and most experienced political reporters in the state.
Steve Grant, respected statewide for his understanding and appreciation of the natural world. The guy who gave us an unforgettable paddle down the Connecticut River.
Jesse Hamilton, perhaps the best, most lyrical writer to ever walk into (and now out of) the building. “I got my call from Cliff early this morning, after a late evening covering the State of the Union,” he said. “At least it was an interesting final assignment …”
A group of copy editors who could hold their own at any paper: Adele Angle, David Wakefield, Marge Ruschau.
Others: Bill Nagler, Beth Hamilton (another fine writer), Matt Eagan (another), Robin Stansbury (another) and Nancy Lastrina, the epitome of what a community news bloggers should be.
Ann Marie Somma, whose fluent Italian paid big dividends in our coverage of the Benedetto Cipriani case. ..
I guess Joe O’Brien, Jr. is going, too, ending the decades long O’Brien streak begun by his father.
Who is still missing from this list? I gather there may be more from the copy desk and a photographer.
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I left the paper in December of 2005. I took a buyout when things started to fall apart. I did not in my wildest imagination believe it would get to this magnitude. This list is very sad. Very sad. I know these reporters and editors were very talented and dedicated. What a loss.
Roberto Gonzalez
This from Len Honeyman…
My gawd….I don’t why I’m so shocked, but I was covering the governor in New Haven yesterday with Mark Pazniokas. Mark was doing his usual excellent job, asking the hard questions and going after the real story.
I don’t know why I’m so shocked because this bloodletting of the most experienced reporters and editors is becoming almost a daily occurrence among newspeople.
The only thing I can say, as a veteran of one newspaper closing (The Hartford Times), one layoff (New Haven Register, 1990) and one buyout, err, early retirement (Gannett 2005), there is life after. Mark and the rest are good, experienced people and I can’t imagine a world where a home could not be found for them.
Good luck and remember — none of this is your fault.
Len
mindoflen.blogspot.com
To my former courant colleagues.
What a sad day. When I left, I never imagined it would get this bad, and so many good people would be let go. But I’m here to tell you there is life after the Courant, life after journalism. As someone who was so committed to being a reporter, I can tell you that if you find another passion, find another way, you will survive. In fact, you might even find yourself, or at least realize that you have much more to give than being a newspaper writer. This business, and especially the Courant, has nothing to give you. It only takes. Jesse Hamilton risked his life in Iraq for the paper. And look, they killed him anyways. All the others gave their time, their lives, gave up time with their children. Walk away and hold your head high. Trust me, there are far better people in the world than the editors at the Courant. You will see. And they will be left to live with themselves.
“If you never try you never know, just what your worth” –Cold Play
Tracy Gordon Fox
“I’m trying to comprehend the impact these layoffs will have on Connecticut’s largest newspaper.”
None whatsoever: The Courant will continue to implode until it gets rid of those at the top doing all the damage, rather than the dedicated editors and reporters doing all the hard work. Regrettably, the few doing all the damage are in charge of choosing who gets laid off.