Judged:
1
1
There is no need to be cryptic, "Resident." Mike Davis asked me to resign and I took a standing offer at a regional grouping of daily papers that was extended a few days before Irene nearly destroyed the Hopewell News building. I didn't take the job then because I couldn't in good conscious tender my resignation while everything was in literal shambles. Because of that standing offer, I was technically unemployed for less than 48 hours, hence being able to hint that I was moving to a coastal community so soon, "Payoff."
Additionally, "Payoff," yes, some of the city's fathers had a meeting with us several weeks before my dismissal because they felt our coverage of Hopewell had been negative over the years. I called the meeting because I am not one to shy away from criticism. I was not offered anything to leave because of that meeting nor do I believe that any subsequent meetings took place with them to make my departure occur. I would be very surprised if they could convince a relative newcomer to ask me to resign. I also would be surprised if anyone involved with the Hopewell News or Hopewell itself could convince a large, California-based corporation into offering me a position. And, yes, my current employer has been apprised of my forced resignation for anyone itching to continue attempting personal attacks.
AS far as the criticism of the paper itself, "Resident" is correct in her description of what the paper should have been and has always been. Their goal is to be your community paper but it was my decision to stake our claim in breaking news and hard news as well. I wanted to prove, much like VCU in the NCAA, that we could compete with the big guys. We didn't always beat the larger papers and TV but when we did, we did. If that is not the direction Elizabeth Farina wants to take, it is her decision. Some of you know that I at least listened to criticism. If being the plucky underdog paper is what you want, the proper thing to do is to call the Mr. Davis and Ms. Farina. Complaints here will not solve anyone's concerns except for, perhaps, my next paragraph.
"Resident," I sincerely hope you aren't who I think you are. Your intimate knowledge of some of the information you placed in your two posts allows one to draw some conclusions. I am not ashamed to admit that I have made inappropriate comments online in the past but this display of unprofessionalism is simply appalling.
Elliott Robinson
(To prove it is me, there is a dent in the newsroom wall from where a forklift struck where the sports editor now sits. That wall was once orange. I personally painted it that color. Some vestiges are near the baseboard moulding.)
Pisces