Nov. 2: First blog
Nov. 2, 2007
This really cracks me up, since I’ve always resisted blogging. (Allow me to pause and thank my wonderful son, Joe, in the Czech Republic, for setting up this maiden site for me.) Bear with me as I – the technically challenged -work out the kinks.
I was trying to reply to millhouse’s question on redding.com’s letter to the editor page. Millhouse wondered why none of the letters to the editor had been published in the paper. I tried to reply, but I kept getting bumped into a loop where my password and user name were rejected. So much for free speech. And imagine, at a newspaper.
What I tried to say to millhouse was this: I highly doubt anything will appear in the newspaper about my firing, or about the scores of others – the photo editor, graphics editor, classifieds manager, librarian, editorial executive secretary and the slew of others who accepted the summer buyout – who’ve joined the RS staffers’ stampede for the RS exits, or about those who might leave in the future. Yes, there were a pair of tiny stories when managing editor Greg Clark and editor Kelly Brewer left the paper, three months apart. One must wonder why two dedicated career journalists, among the best, brightest and most ethical in the country’s newspaper industry, would walk away.
But back to millhouse’s question. With regard to seeing nothing in the paper about my firing, I would guess management’s strategy here is to close their eyes, cover their ears and wait until the splatter-storm of controversy passes. It’s back to that corporate pain threshold. They make a decision, and anticipate a certain amount of “pain”: letters, phone calls, e-mails, even subscription losses). They’ll wait it out. If they stay very still and silent, perhaps people will lose interest and move on to something else.
In the news business it’s called the issue-attention cycle. It’s pretty predictable. One day people are talking about the horror of a bank CEO’s suicide, the next day they’re talking about a courthouse in the Parkview neighborhood, the next day they’re talking about a rumor that Doni Greenberg was fired. (The rumor’s true.)
Meanwhile, management, claiming the inability to speak about personnel issues (read: my firing), will say things like, “Stay tuned for new and lively voices in commentary and food,” and, “Well, you know, there are TWO sides to every story.”
Talk about predictable. Just as predictable is they probably won’t say how many cancellations the paper’s suffered. They probably won’t admit that many letters were sent to Scripps’ execs. They probably won’t publish letters to the editor about my firing or the whittling away of our once precious hometown newspaper, the one I’ve read since I was 9. They probably wish I’d just go away quietly, like the others.
That’s the unfortunate thing when you fire an opinion columnist — someone whose very nature is to express opinions. The opinions continue, even after the job ends. And to borrow a line from a favorite movie, “Throw Mama from the Train”: “A writer always writes, always.”
So I’ll keep writing, just not for the Record Searchlight. That’s OK. There’s more freedom here, anyway. And the stress level is much lower. Maybe my hair will stop falling out and my migraines and hives will go away for good.
First, I’ll take a break and recharge my batteries.
In the meantime, Joseph helped me set up this quick-and-dirty blog site, just until my real one is ready. (I’m thinking it’ll be about food, but maybe toss in some local observations.) I’ll keep you posted somewhere on redding.com, though it may take some creativity. Take care, everyone.
Jim Mark replied:
Doni, thanks for the honesty. And I could use some of U over at The Laker… I’m open to new ideas, new formats, recruiting sponsors, making money… I’m sure – you could have space on The Laker and still be everywhere in cyberspace… Ain’t modern Life Grande ???
jim
PS – please install [yes you can] a Spell Checker on the comments side… make’s my more comfurtable.. cause i can’t spell worth a … thanks
November 2, 2007 at 10:54 am. Permalink.
Jane replied:
Thank you, Doni, for giving us a chance to let you know there are people in Shasta County who like what you have to say. Even if we don’t always agree….
November 2, 2007 at 11:01 am. Permalink.
downtown brown replied:
Good to see you here, Doni. I have bookmarked your blog, and I’ll be back, as Arnie says.
Luck be with you.
November 2, 2007 at 11:09 am. Permalink.
Deb Duryee replied:
Glad to see you surface… As I told Greg, you guys are better off out of that “snakepit’. It was a snakepit 20 years ago and it’s an even bigger one today. Heard that they were going to “outsource” the advertising. How pathetic for a local business that screams bloody murder about what everyone else pays their employees.
Keep in touch and if you decide to do anymore genealogy on your break, give me a holler.
November 2, 2007 at 11:17 am. Permalink.
Budd Hodges replied:
Doni…hang in there as I’m sure you will. Your dad, Don and went on to bigger and better things. I got fired too many times to remember but always bounced back to something better in radio biz.I wrote a letter to the new dork editor about how they were all over the story of Jimbo Albertson’s firing but that you had just disapeared. He, Silass, wrote me that it was a confidencial matter and he couldn’t discuss it. You looked good with Mike on KRCR by the way. My best to you whereever you go Doni. With much love to you.
Budd[img]http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/88.gif[/img][img]http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/90.gif[/img]
November 2, 2007 at 11:30 am. Permalink.
Jim Thompson (Ventura CA) replied:
I began to wonder where you were for the past week or so and when logging onto Redding-dot-com, saw that your name was removed from the columnists’ list. I posted my nickel’s worth where you kept getting kicked off. I just glad I was able to find you and bookmark this site for continued reading. Best of luck to you and I’ll keep reading
November 2, 2007 at 11:32 am. Permalink.
EinsteinsMom replied:
Good luck to you, I expect you’ll end up better than you were before.
November 2, 2007 at 11:44 am. Permalink.
Ron Cole Jr. replied:
Wow now thats some news. i didn’t even know you were fired! Well that might explain why I didn’t renew my Sub this past week (a gut feeling maybe?). Even though I disagreed with you many many times
you were still great entertainment. Best of luck!
November 2, 2007 at 11:48 am. Permalink.
Barbara Rice replied:
Hi Doni, I’m glad you’re setting up a blog so the truth can be told (at least, until they delete Joe’s comment about where to find you). They probably have completely blocked your IP address at the R-S.
I canceled my subscription – and when I called, the gal didn’t even ask why (maybe she’s tired of being yelled at). When I was growing up, we ALWAYS had the R-S in our home, but we also always had either the Examiner or the Chronicle, sometimes both, for real news. Sadly, the R-S is just a parody of a newspaper now, with its emphasis on fluff, big graphics, and color photos of teens mugging for the camera. News? What’s that?
And I TOTALLY agree with you that the comments section is out of control – a wolf pack tearing at their victim. When I complained – last year, before any of this shit hit the fan – Silas Lyons wrote me a rather wimpy note saying they couldn’t do much because people would just sign in under a different user name. But they seem to be able to block you, don’t they?
Anyway, I’m sorry that this happened to you, but I know you will land on your feet. Take care. perhaps you’d like to come over for a glass of merlot and to share your Italy pictures?
Barbara Rice (BR)
November 2, 2007 at 11:52 am. Permalink.
jered replied:
What a nice foray into this arena. I look forward to future entries.
November 2, 2007 at 11:59 am. Permalink.
Chris replied:
Doni, you are great writer and community fixture. In my humble opinion you have been empowered by the situation. A situation of growing pains in media. Look at AM radio, at the multiplicity of shock jocks they have to deploy in order to retain a market. All newspapers are headed the same way. You are where you belong in cyberspace~the new frontier. Keep up the good work!
November 2, 2007 at 12:03 pm. Permalink.
Jessica Lunna replied:
Thank you for sharing your blog Doni. I will also become a faithful reader.
November 2, 2007 at 12:11 pm. Permalink.
darnedtoheck replied:
Doni–I may have left a snarky comment or two or redding.com regarding one or two of your columns over the years, but it was all in “good fun”. Now that the Searchlight has thrown you under the bus, I feel BAD! So…glad to see you’ve set up this blog. I promise to restrain my snippy sarcastic nature and just wish you well.
November 2, 2007 at 12:14 pm. Permalink.
Michelle replied:
Woo hoo!! Doni has entered blogdom!! Welcome!
I am glad you are getting the truth out about the “snakepit,” as Deb called it (great term, BTW). I think you will be so much better off now. The R-S is going down the crapper faster than you can say “crapper.” I secretly enjoy seeing it go downhill, since I had my share of grief while I was there, although I do feel badly for the peons who are left. They are going to suffer big time. But the management can suck it for all I care. They are a bunch of idiots who have their heads stuck up their asses.
I have also added you to my bookmarks!
November 2, 2007 at 12:17 pm. Permalink.
Susan replied:
Thanks for letting us know. It was mentioned on KQMS that you were no longer with the paper.
November 2, 2007 at 12:21 pm. Permalink.
James Santos replied:
Doni
Honesty,passion,food,travel,love,emotion,history,truth, education,compassion,the seasons,cookies,stories,people and family. Just a few things I think about when I try to describe you.
Miss you,James
November 2, 2007 at 12:30 pm. Permalink.
T PHILS replied:
Looks like you landed on your feet! I was sure you would! I’ll bookmark your blog and look forward to hearing more from you – thanks for all the chuckles and sometimes tears, but always something to think about!
November 2, 2007 at 12:33 pm. Permalink.
Darcie replied:
Thanks Joe for the fast set-up of Doni’s blog!
Doni it is so good to know you are able to communicate with the community now. I too cancelled the subsciption to RS, when the didn’t ask why, I told her I wanted it noted that firing you was the last straw. The RS is no longer the community paper. They will not post my comments on the blogs either. So much for free speech.
BTW I think everyone needs to forward this address to all their friends and neighbors; who knows how long they will leave it up on the comment section!
November 2, 2007 at 12:36 pm. Permalink.
Pearl Brady replied:
As a fellow ex-RS columnist thrown out on her tuchas, I’m very glad to see you’re still writing and aren’t just going to go away quietly. Although I’ve been out of the RS crapstorm for over a year now, I’ve noticed through my logging on to their website exactly where the paper is going, and it’s not good. It is truly distressing to see the supposed stalwart of Redding local new media turning into just another mouthpiece for those afraid of any amount of dissent bigger than, say, Enterprise or Shasta: You Decide Who Has the Better Ball Players. I had expected more from the people who hired Kelly Brewer, who, although I’ve got my own issues with her leadership and style, had the balls to dare to say something that actually meant SOMETHING instead of bowing to the middle and staying in the safe zone of spiritless mediocrity. I’ve had my various eyes and ears back in Redding keeping tuned to other media, but from what I’ve heard there hasn’t been much of a dialogue from external sources, whether it be TV, radio, print, or online media. Is that true? Maybe I’ve been reading the New York Post a bit too often, but this screams juicy scandal to me…
Anyway, I will keep tuned to this blog and will look forward to hearing more about what happened if you choose to write about it. Either way, I’m glad to know I’m not the only ex-columnist not to be silenced by political meshuganah.
Best,
Pearl Brady
November 2, 2007 at 12:37 pm. Permalink.
Baseball replied:
Doni -
Sorry to hear about your situation. “I’ve never been fired, but I’ve been laid off when they were hiring!”
I’ve bookmarked this; even though I’ve I’ve disagreed with your view-point, I was entertained.
November 2, 2007 at 12:40 pm. Permalink.
Erin Friedman replied:
Wonderful recovery, Doni!
Aren’t kids grand for helping out on the technology front? I wouldn’t be able to watch a DVD without my boys’ help.
So glad to find you here — look forward to reading more from you in this new forum.
With most sincere best wishes,
Erin
November 2, 2007 at 12:59 pm. Permalink.
Happy Basket replied:
Hooray! You’re on my subscription list, and I’ll never miss a post.
Surely this is the place to publish some of the letters you know were sent to the newspaper. Your fans and friends want to read them. Heck, the writers would probably like to see them in print too.
Jump at the sun, Doni. A great many people love you and are rooting for you — more than you’ll ever know.
Looking forward to your new and wonderful successes. Living well is the best revenge.
November 2, 2007 at 1:08 pm. Permalink.
Judy Darting replied:
Cool! We get to hear from you and talk back too. I always read your column and the food page. The paper is only good for getting the ads now. Sorry you got fired, I hope you find satisfying and good paying work. You should start your own newspaper. It would be a balanced paper I’m sure. One with the news and the opinion columns and cooking page, etc. We want to know what is going on in the world, plus we want to know how to make peach preserves. And of course we want to read opinions, even if we disagree with some of them. Good luck in your endeavors!
November 2, 2007 at 1:16 pm. Permalink.
Svend Holst replied:
If I would have known it would take this to get you blogging, I would have recommended it years ago.
Very sorry to hear about your departure, and particularly saddened by the circumstances. You certainly deserved a heck of a lot better for all you brought to the Record Searchlight I remember.
Your column was great, but your presence, your sense and your personality made my time working there better. Can’t count the number of tough days you helped me through with just a comment or two. Still remember the horrible Child incident every time I ask a reporter to take some audio.
Thanks for all of that.
Don’t know what’s going on at the paper, but know there are still a lot of good folks there doing their best. Hope things are better than your departure makes them seem.
Also hope I run into around town when I visit, and hope some more that you’re doing well back there behind the words. In any case, I’ve no doubt this will be lemonade before to long.
Want to move to Wenatchee?
Best possible regards,
Svend
November 2, 2007 at 1:26 pm. Permalink.
Lori Whitmore replied:
Hi Doni,
Glad you finally came out of the wordwork. I knew we would hear from you! I’ve been thinking about you and wish you the best. You will succeed in anything you do, so have fun!
So, the real question is…where did you hang my little Cheddar’s picture? Hope it is near and still making you smile.
Thanks for everything! Hope we meet again soon!
Lori
November 2, 2007 at 1:30 pm. Permalink.
Nicole replied:
Yay for Doni!!!! I can’t wait to see what else you pose on this wonderful site!!! I’m a teenager in high school (senior that is…) and it’s always nice to read the newspaper, and i’ll admit that I haven’t a lot of you columns, but when I do, they are very interesting to read…. keep going on with writing!!!
~Nicole
November 2, 2007 at 1:31 pm. Permalink.
Marge Beck replied:
Clearly there is a lot of change at the paper. I suspected that the local influence was going when they cancelled the columns of the local experts: Me for health insurance, Trudy Tavares for Taxes, Vince D’Amato for investments.
With all due modesty, I found that our columns were timesly and local. But they prefer to pay for syndicated columnists I guess, rather than locals.
I will miss your columns Doni. They have always been interesting. But, as one door closes, another opens as they say…so I wish you lots of success in your next endeavor. I have no doubt that you will find it.
As they say, “You GO girl!”
November 2, 2007 at 1:46 pm. Permalink.
Lyn Regan replied:
Doni, I miss you and love you. But you know that. Your life will be so much better once you get this sadness behind you. I know it feels like crap to be fired (happened to me once when I was young), but we all know you didn’t deserve it, so who cares? Do what you have to do to get through the rough parts, and then do what your heart desires. We’ll all be waiting to see what it might be!
Lyn, and Jack too
November 2, 2007 at 1:49 pm. Permalink.
Sage replied:
Doni,
I may not have always agreed with your opinions but you are too great to hate. Gracious (**in print
**) even under fire! It’s wonderful to have you back.
I agree with the others who have posted. It’s time for the Record Searchlight to have some competition. I’ve been thinking about the possibilities for some months now. And while the Nickel is wonderful, they don’t quite offer enough info in their text box ads to compete with the RS. Almost but not quite!
Seriously though, competition is needed. We have several TV and radio stations but only one paper? I’d almost rather read the Enquirer. (And probably would if they had more local stories.)
Keep your chin high (and your nose down)
We’re all cheering you on!
Go Doni-it’s yer birthday!! LOL
November 2, 2007 at 2:06 pm. Permalink.
andrea charroin replied:
Bravo to you! Your Blog is a wonderful opportunity to give a voice to what the hell happened at the RS. So many of us have written to the paper, call, and even e-mailed the powers that be, and yet OUR voices are ignored. Good for you! Tell us all you feel you need to and then move forward to the next chapter or adventure!
Cheers!
November 2, 2007 at 2:08 pm. Permalink.
Chris Nagy replied:
I just knew that somehow you would rise to the top… the cream always does.
Although I was one of those “buyouts” and I’ve been putting a positive face to it, I have to admit that I’ve gone through several of the same depressive feelings that you have. Lack of worth for the jobs I had done well for so many years. But, Marge Beck is correct, when one door closes, another opens and I am personally seeing a lot of postive feedback from my friends and business associates in the area. It’s a very good feeling.
So- what about a new newspaper, even virtually? There’s enough of us around here that it could happen! Just take a look at what is happening in the Eureka area. They have some competition going on and it’s makin a huge difference in the old “Times Sub-Standard.”
Get in touch! I’d love to talk to you!
November 2, 2007 at 2:09 pm. Permalink.
Doug M replied:
Yo Doni! It’s about time for this town to get a new rag. The RS has been going downhill for years and the last few months really stink!
How about some competition..Go!
November 2, 2007 at 2:14 pm. Permalink.
Michelle replied:
Yes, Chris, you are so right about Eureka!! I live over here now, and the Eureka Reporter has really been catching on here. I posted somewhere else on redding.com that I don’t even read the Times Standard anymore because I get the Reporter, and it is SO much better!
Redding really could use another paper. I hope someone will take the initiative and make it happen!
November 2, 2007 at 2:21 pm. Permalink.
Maria replied:
Hi, Doni,
glad to have found you. I’m the broken pasta maker machine Maria you came to see and help make Fettuccini!! I’m glad you’re hanging in there and I will watch for further blogs from you. Take care! Maria
November 2, 2007 at 2:32 pm. Permalink.
Lisa replied:
Doni, I am so sorry you are going thru this, but you are much better off. I sat next to you once at a home health luncheon and I was struck by your personality and wit. I have read your articles ever since. I may not have always agreed, but I loved the discussions you started.
They will be sorry, you will be missed just like Kelly and all the rest. Soon they will have no readers left!
November 2, 2007 at 2:52 pm. Permalink.
Kelly replied:
Hi Doni. We have never met, but you probably would know me from KQMS. Same thing happened there. Dumped a lot of people, and go on like nothing has happened. Glad to see that you have a forum.
November 2, 2007 at 2:54 pm. Permalink.
garbagehead replied:
Doni, thanks for letting a little sunshine into this business at the R-S. I’ll miss your columns, especially your take on the troops.
I’m bookmarking this too.
Best wishes. Don’t give up on writing for us!!!
November 2, 2007 at 3:07 pm. Permalink.
Celeste White replied:
It’s very reassuring and heartening to “hear” your voice again, Doni! Hooray for not being silenced and for continuing to do what you best! And thank you so much, Joe, for making Doni’s words available to us.
You know that I agree with others who have posted that it is time for the RS to have some competition and for us, as community members, to have our own paper again, one that’s not run by a corporation who couldn’t care less about its local readers and subscribers. Here’s hoping that your blog grows into a virtual community in the way a local paper should serve its community, something that is currently lost to us, despite the few remaining hardy abd talented souls at the paper. I can’t think of a nicer way to start than by having you speak out loud and clear–and of course, articulately, as you always do! I have often thought that you represented the “heart” of the paper–thanks to Joe, thanks to the Internet, and thanks to your indomitable, plucky spirit–that heart is not lost to us. Whew!
November 2, 2007 at 3:24 pm. Permalink.
garbagehead replied:
forgot to add: I think we should all keep “asking” Silas why his opinion is so much more important than the readers’ opinion.
November 2, 2007 at 3:50 pm. Permalink.
BAKER replied:
i am really sorry for what happened. trust me the r.s is going to loose my support along with my family and friends
November 2, 2007 at 3:55 pm. Permalink.
Jeff replied:
Despite the turbulence at the RS, you always put out wonderful columns Doni. It is clear you take great pride in your work and I look forward to seeing your writing in the future, wherever that may be.
November 2, 2007 at 4:30 pm. Permalink.
Kathleen Underlin replied:
Doni, it is so great to be able to communicate with you. I was sick and saddened to learn of your firing. I phoned the publisher to complain but no call back came. Is there any way we can protest at the top? Surely Lyon has a boss somewhere? I think you aare the greatest since Erma Bombeck and I miss you sorely. Wwednesday’s paper was a sad waste of time with the AP food aarticles. No more Redding cooking. You hang in there and try to get sendicated! Love you.
November 2, 2007 at 5:15 pm. Permalink.
Jillian's GG replied:
Doni,
Take some time to yourself……. you deserve it.
I have enjoyed your recipes, but while not always agreeing with everything else you wrote, I was still a fan and read everything of yours in the “Redding Tabloid”…..
I am sure we will see you again real soon……
LJ
November 2, 2007 at 5:51 pm. Permalink.
Ren replied:
Doni,
I’m so happy you started a blog and that you won’t “go silently into this goodnight”. I’ll check every day for updates.
I’m going to crack up if you storm the comment pages on Redding.com. You should! It’s awful how they are putting their heads in the sand and pretending that nothing happened. Well, I guess we’ll just have to continue our tirade about how upset we are that you were fired. However, from the sounds of things, perhaps they did you a favor.
I look forward to reading what you REALLY have to say here on your blog. Finally, the editors can’t tell you what you can and can’t write about! So enjoy it, girl!
November 2, 2007 at 6:13 pm. Permalink.
Richard replied:
Dear Ms. Greenberg,
When a good friend with a well known wicked wit e-mailed me that you had been fired from the R-S, I believed that she wa attemting to perpetrate a hoax. My God,would a newbie editor really have the temerity to terminate a multiple award-winning journalist who has made a consistent and indispensable contribution to daily life in our flawed but beloved community? I was shocked and dismayed to learn that the news was indeed true.
Though I have on occasion disagreed with your your comments, you were always responsive and willing to concede error. May Mr. Lyons ultimately follow your example and admit to his. Best wishes for a brighter future.
RC
November 2, 2007 at 6:32 pm. Permalink.
Kathryn McDonald replied:
Doni,
I’m so glad you started a blog. I’ve bookmarked it. I’m fairly new to Redding–I been here just over four years–and you’ve helped me to understand some of what it was like to have been here for years.
That the R-S fired you–YOU!! of all people–is beyond my understanding. Not only did your columns honor the Redding of the past but they helped to open us to the world.
You and I exchanged emails after your dog beloved died. Your column made me cry as I had lost my dear Polly Dingo Behavior Reward McDonald a few months before. You thought you might someday like to use my story about Polly and the peanut butter. I had looked forward to that.
Doni, I read your columns like you were my friend, even though we’d never met. I wish you the best.
Kathryn
November 2, 2007 at 6:36 pm. Permalink.
Judy Smith replied:
Letter to Kenneth Lowe, President & CEO, E. W. Scripps
October 26, 2007
Kenneth Lowe
President and Chief Executive Officer
E. W. Scripps
Dear Mr. Lowe:
I am a retired educator, a 34-year resident of Redding, California and have subscribed to E. W. Scripps’Record Searchlight since moving here in 1974. During that time, I have experienced countless changes in the newspaper’s focus, format, leadership, and editorial policy. I can think of no adjustments that didn’t eventually prove to be worthy, or at least understandable. In the past year, a series of disturbing and detrimental events have occurred that have seriously damaged the reputation and the quality of what had been a fine small city newspaper.
Last year Deborah Smiddy left for a corporate assignment, and her replacement, Shanna Cannon arrived, without experience in operating a community newspaper of the Searchlight’s stature, without any grasp of or interest in northern California’s readership, without, as far as I can tell, even a college degree. Community reaction to interfaces with her has been largely negative; comments include “disinterested,” “condescending,” “unprofessional in appearance and demeanor.”
Since Ms. Cannon’s arrival, loss of long-time staff has been epidemic. Journalists who spent years, even decades, dedicating themselves to producing a quality publication, imbedding themselves in north state life, have left in droves. Perhaps some departures can be attributed to natural attrition, but many respected writers have left the Searchlight and turned to other professions in order to remain in Redding. I’m quite sure that many of them were pressured into leaving with reduction in compensation, or perhaps they just couldn’t continue to “write” for a newspaper that has become no more than a vehicle for distribution of advertising.
This brings us to the decline in editorial quality which has occurred since the replacement of Kelly Brewer with Silas Lyons. If E. W. Scripps truly cared about maintaining the Record Searchlight, it would have promoted senior staff such as Greg Clark to the leadership position. Mr. Clark has served the paper well, through many years, in many positions. His writing and editorial skills are respected, and he knows and cares about the community. Instead, we have an imperious young hatchet man whose journalistic experience is extremely limited.
Our beloved Record Searchlight has been reduced to “USA Today LITE”, with irrelevant fluff from the wire services taking the place of in-depth stories of local, state, and national importance. And now, one of the brightest lights in the decimated news room has been extinguished by Mr. Lyons & Co. Doni Greenberg, whose local interest column and weekly Food page offerings have a significant following, has been fired. The readership needs and READS her well-crafted pieces. There is no other reporter here who can evoke pathos, laughter, outrage, self-examination, community activism, and yes, controversy—sometimes all in the same column. The RS Food page has been a jewel among a slag heap of wire service fillers. It attracts readers who wish for information about local produce, products, chefs, restaurants, and recipes. Without a Doni, we may as well read the Kansas City Times. Her high ethical and journalistic standards as well as her commitment to and involvement in the community make her an asset the Record Searchlight can’t afford to lose.
I am aware that the trend in newspapers throughout the United States is to dumb it down to make it palatable, that the advertising dollar is the true raison d’etre, but if mega publishers like E. W. Scripps would resume their historic commitment and responsibility to literacy, the trend could be reversed. The systematic destruction of a small city newspaper is going on right now in Redding, California. I urge you, as a highly-regarded information provider, to pay attention to this alarming development.
Sincerely,
Judith S. Smith
November 2, 2007 at 6:39 pm. Permalink.
Kathryn McDonald replied:
As a writer and editor, I should know better than to post anything before proofreading it.
I been here???
Your dog beloved???
My only excuse is that I wanted to let you know as soon as possible that you are very missed and that I look forward to seeing what you do next.
November 2, 2007 at 6:40 pm. Permalink.
kathy replied:
Doni
You are an interesting writer. Shasta Wheelmen, your doggy, the critter in the shed. Enjoy “retirement” as I have done for the past 21 years from Ma Bell. Oh heck, hop on your bike and join the wheeleemen sometime. Exercise is good for the body, mind and soul! We all don’t ride fast.
November 2, 2007 at 6:52 pm. Permalink.
gamerjohn replied:
I was wondering where you went until I saw Mike Mangas interview you. Despite his not liking the Sundial Bridge, I hope his Dam Burgers will be cooked to his liking forever.
I read your every word for the 7 years I lived in Redding, even the cooking columns that I really had no interest in, except for your views.
I always tried to defend you in the comments from the trolls, but I guess they were all written by Lyons in disguise.
My subscription went to Sunday only last year since my wife loves the ads.
There has been a serious hole in the Record for years. Why have they not covered the Red Bluff trial of Tom Endicott? Chico covered it. Redding didn’t until the verdict.
November 2, 2007 at 7:16 pm. Permalink.
Dave Armstrong replied:
Hey Doni,
Sorry that you’re going through this, but hopefully it’ll be a good move for you. I will miss your writing, but you’ll land on your feet; this is a good beginning.
The RS is really quite pathetic now, and going downhill faster every day. I don’t know who this Lyons jackass is, but he must be a corporate suck-up. I guess he’s supposed to make the paper more money, right? Pretty hard to do when you piss off the majority of your readers.
Anyway, take care and don’t let the bastards get you down.
November 2, 2007 at 7:33 pm. Permalink.
Just Me replied:
Doni,
So sorry about your “encouraged departure”. I was a Radio casualty (I have no doubt you could figure out which cluster) and was a victim to the sorcery of previous management. Is it this small town? Nevertheless, we will be back, doing what we love to do…I know we will! I wish you the absolute best and look forward to us being back in the media!
November 2, 2007 at 8:12 pm. Permalink.
Carmen replied:
Doni, Got your email and phone call and we are so happy to hear from you and know that you are doing good. We have tremendous faith in you and know that you will do great!! This site is wonderful, thanks to Joe. We will be faithful readers and can’t wait to see you bloom where you’ve been planted. You are a wonderful writer with great wit and a passion for your community and believe me, the R.S. will be hurting without you. We love you and look forward to your comming out!! It is a new day for you Doni and you will shine bright!! Our love to Bruce.
November 2, 2007 at 8:40 pm. Permalink.
Ruth Polcari replied:
Doni,
I just heard that you were no longer with the paper. I am so glad to see you here and plan to call tomorrow to cancel my paper. What were they thinking??? I hope you continue to write/post/blog – you have reached so many people with the compassion and honesty you share.
November 2, 2007 at 8:55 pm. Permalink.
Alex Breitler replied:
Best wishes Doni! I have no idea what happened, but I do know how much you mean to the community up there. You’re a courageous writer and a classy person.
Alex
November 2, 2007 at 10:25 pm. Permalink.
Ren replied:
Judy Smith –
What a fantastic letter! Thank you for sharing it with all of us here on Doni’s blog. I will also write a letter. Perhaps it won’t be as eloquent, but trust me… they’ll get the idea!
Redding’s locals – even those that didn’t always agree with Doni – are PISSED OFF!!!
I missed you on the news, dang it!
I think you should get on KQMS with Ray and Erin or even Ken Muckry and say your piece. I’ll bet their phone lines will light up like Christmas. I know I’d be calling in.
THANK YOU so much to your son for helping you set up this blog. He’ll have you blog and web page savvy in no time flat.
November 2, 2007 at 10:39 pm. Permalink.
Rebecca Lowell replied:
YES!!!!! Much good will come from all of this. I am thrilled I will be able to hear
your written voice over here on Maui. And WITHOUT all the shallow
news, and the bad news.
Very glad you have moved on to more freedom in your career!
Aloha,
Rebecca
November 2, 2007 at 11:07 pm. Permalink.
Louise Hanson replied:
Doni,
So glad you’re here where we all can communicate with you. A thousand thanks to Joe for getting you set up and going.
Looks like I’m not the only one who’s noticed the downhill slide at the RS. Very little local. We have a scanner and those that don’t have can’t realize the stories that never get told. They need to go back to the days of the “cub” reporters; then a person got all the news and the complete news.
Looking forward to reading you here often. Blessings for both you and Bruce.
November 3, 2007 at 1:06 am. Permalink.
Sid replied:
The first thing I thought of when I heard you were gone was that they did it to save money. That happens when someone new comes into managment from time to time. The new boss wants to show he can save the company some money so the higher salary people go first. Good luck to you in the future you seem like a person that won’t stay down long. By the way none of us are immune from what happened to you. Who’s next?
November 3, 2007 at 6:27 am. Permalink.
margi replied:
Doni:
We moved from Redding in 1999 but have kept in touch via the internet. I was shocked to hear you had been fired. I look forward to your columns, especially the recipies. The R-S certainly has changed, for the worse, over the years. What were they thinking? Or not thinking?
I have added your blog to my Favorites and will visit several times a week. Just two days ago we crystallized ginger following the instructions in your column. It would never have entered our heads to try that had we not read it in your column.
Hang in there! You’re a very talented lady and talent, like cream, always rises to the top.
November 3, 2007 at 7:07 am. Permalink.
Steve Thomas replied:
Doni….I am stunned that the R/S would have terminated your services as I too have always enjoyed reading what your thoughts were (often didn’t agree but that’s OK…it’s suppose to be a free country). One of your most recent stories about the neighborhood that you and Mike Mangus grew up in…hit home with me as I invested some 20 years living in the Greater Redding area and sought out “what else was there” that I wanted to experience. It was painful terminating my 11-year management position with the then owner/licensee of a group of radio stations (KNCQ-97.3FM and etc) in Redding back in 1996 but it had to be done so I could move on. When I (and the Mrs.) made the decision to move away from Redding in 2002 it was the beginning of a whole new adventure that has brought all of out family to New England and enjoying every moment of all that it has to offer (and boy does your money go a lot further back here with no personal State income taxes and no sales taxes).
The Greater Redding landscape has sadly changed for the worse (in my humble opinion back in about the late ‘80’s when there was such a huge rush of “equity refugees” that moved into the area. Greed got in the way of many a level-headed government official and big business (including the Record Searchlight….I can recall the conversation that I had had with the then head honcho there when he said that the Searchlight was pulling at least a million dollars a month out of the local business community in display ads). I would be safe in betting that the Searchlight is failing in both readership and revenue generation as compared to the market share they once so enjoyed as the “media landscape” has changed dramatically over these recent years too!
I will bookmark your blog Doni and it won’t be long before you assemble all the elements needed to remain in contact with all those that you have touched over the years and all will be good again.
All the best and please holler out if I can be of any help.
Steve Thomas
November 3, 2007 at 7:31 am. Permalink.
Maria Sudduth replied:
I have been outraged by front page choices lately, i.e. Klan meetings, teachers are predators, etc. Within that letter I had commented on their salacious news coverage, they cut that sentence. I think that you, Greg, Kelly, and all the rest that were sunsetted out of this paper should start your own paper. We would subscribe so fast, it would make your head spin. Thank God for the Internet, without which we would have all been kept in the dark. I’ve appreciated all of your columns, both witty and thought provoking. You are a fave, keep writing and start your own paper!!!!
November 3, 2007 at 7:52 am. Permalink.
Leon C. Nelson replied:
Hi, Doni
For the many who’ve expressed a wish to email the corporate HQ: lowe@scripps.com is the connection to Ken Lowe, who is E.W. Scripps’ President and CEO — Scripps owns the Record Searchlight.
For those who want to join the “I’M TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH WHAT SILAS, ET AL, ARE DOING WITH THE RS” club, an email could be sent to the RS city editor, Maline Hazle: mhazle@redding.com.
AND: Please include me with your many well-wishers, as we excitedly speculate on your Certain-to-be-Bright future. “Doni Greenberg – Fastest Growing Blog on the Internet,” and “Doni Greenberg – Major Role Player in Redding’s second – and BEST – daily newspaper,” come to mind!
Love ya and respect ya and miss ya!
Leon C. Nelson
November 3, 2007 at 7:58 am. Permalink.
Harshad Joshi replied:
whats this thing? Why its the top growing blog? Can someone be kind enough to elaborate?
November 3, 2007 at 8:27 am. Permalink.
Kathy replied:
If I didn’t need the paper for bird cage liners, I would
certainly not renew my subscription. I will miss your column. My husband and I were both laid off recently, so I know how you feel. My heart goes out to you.
November 3, 2007 at 9:01 am. Permalink.
kirsten plate replied:
Doni-
Listen Toots- maybe this is the time to do that book I mentioned a LONG time ago??
You used to join me with my morning tea. I miss you.
Kirsten
…and BTW: Yes………. Silas gave me the EXACT verbage (read garbage) of “so sorry- can’t discuss- personnel matter, etc.”
November 3, 2007 at 10:19 am. Permalink.
Janice Powell replied:
Hi Doni,
So another Redding gal lands on her feet! My grandma Hubbard used to tell me, “they can’t treat you like a doormat, unless you lie down in front of them !”
Glad to see you in blogland, and a forum for readers in or about Redding has always been missing. Craigslist is so profane, and the blogs on RS so negative – I hope that you can still provide your insight to Redding’s history and those great recipes. If you get bored, we’d love to have you come volunteer at the new library…how about a teen discussion group on freedom of the press ?
November 3, 2007 at 10:45 am. Permalink.
myrna medrud replied:
No Doni??? Just too sad!! I loved your column, Thanks for going out on a limb for us. This area is not known for its diversity . The good old boys are back in force, temporarily. You are loved.
November 3, 2007 at 11:09 am. Permalink.
Terri replied:
I may be too nosey here, but can you tell us what reasons were given for your firing? Was it because you were too “helpful”: all those columns in which you highlighted a person or family’s need, or, perhaps,you were too “controversial”:the column most offensive to me had to do with orphanages, but odd things upset me; I know, you were too “local”. Its a safe bet Mr. Lyon never had to catch the Amtrak in the pre-Doni days before you weighed in and managed to get a safer, nicer place to for travelers to wait.
Mediocrity dressed up in sensationalism is like a chubby ninty year old man in Speedos: difficult to look at except as a model of poor taste. The Searchlight has definitely fallen, if not from great heights – from places the community wanted it to be. How embarrassing for us all that this rag should represent the printed “news” media for our area.
Do not go away Doni; even if you write a column to which my reaction is: “What an IDIOT!” eventually I’ll read you again because you write with real emotion about real situations to which readers have strong reactions based in and from their very real lives. All that without overblown headlines, bogus surveys, irrelevent quotes, impolite and or overblown language (I do not mean cursing), and other “tools” used to hook readers.
A strong writer fired I hope equals a strong writer freed. What is the quote? Fear and exhileration are really the same coin. One just has to determine which side is up.
God go with you.
May your toast land
butter side up.
Luck be at your side.
This is the cherry on your sundae of life. (-:
In all, may your life be better than it was before.
Apologies for all the words – thanks for a place to put them.
Terri
November 3, 2007 at 1:01 pm. Permalink.
Jonathan replied:
Don’t worry about blogging, it’s not that scary once you get used to it.
I came to this site through the WordPress ‘random hot post’ feature, and I find your story very interesting, and, sadly, quite typical of modern business and local media. I live in England, and things are, I would imagine, very different over there, but it still goes on. Whenever a newspaper (even if it’s a national newspaper) makes a mistake or fires a journalist, it tries to do it as quietly as possible. If possible, it ignores it by picking up another story, or digging one out from the archives (the Daily Express, a right-wing upmarket tabloid, will always dig out a story about Princess Diana or Madeleine McCann whenever the reservoir of news runs dry).
I hate to say this, but it reminds me strongly of the Communist reigimes of the USSR (and, more recently, of Burma and China).
November 3, 2007 at 1:27 pm. Permalink.
Karen Calanchini replied:
Way to go Doni….we miss you in the paper, it is not the same. What a shame that last weeks food articles came from Associated Press and not our local home town girl. We want you back! Good luck with your endeavors…you are a talented lady, too good for the Record Searchlight!
November 3, 2007 at 4:20 pm. Permalink.
Karl Janulewicz replied:
Doni, I thought the empty chairs at the RS where filled up in chairs in INDIA!!!!! Kinda like DELL Computers. Have you ever tryed to get customer service from dell? That is why I will not buy a Dell computer again. I can not understand the language from the coustmer service, it SUCKS BIG!!!!! My wife read your column all the time and is disappointed that it is no longer in the RS wipe; I was told that there is a new Hatchet person at the RS that calls themself a good boss,seems to me when all the good reporters and managers are leaving for other jobs in our commuity that is a big red flag to me;Maybe the people of the coummuity do not really know what is happening up at the RS, can you fill us in or is it going to take Channel seven news to get it out??? Best of luck to you >>>Karl J.
November 3, 2007 at 8:51 pm. Permalink.
Warren I Swanson replied:
All,
If we want to send a message to the Record Searchlight then we all need to cancel our subscriptions. After all, profit is their bottom line and advertisers look at circulation. I have already cancelled and have started the Chronicle instead. A good cause means sacrifice.
With Lyons leading the way with more “sleeze” maybe the paper will really become “The Wretched Flashlight”
Warren Swanson
By the way there will be a “March for Doni” Wed. 11/7 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm in front of the Record Searchight building.
November 4, 2007 at 6:56 am. Permalink.
Garnet Van Buskirk replied:
Doni: I have heard about many ‘bad’ things going at RS for some time. My neighbor had to quit because of issues she had with the work she was asked to perform. I miss your column, but I am glad I can now read your work here. There are more of us on your side than on the side of RS. Take care,
Garnet
November 4, 2007 at 12:30 pm. Permalink.
Shannon replied:
Doni,
I miss your column a lot. My husband and I disagree on you but I was a big fan. I always looked forward to reading your columns and your ideas and human interest stories, etc. It really stinks that you could be fired from a newspaper in a town where you have spent your entire life. I looked forward to hearing stories about Bruce and your sons- the wedding and the military service time and your country house and your dogs and how the biker dudes came to your gate. It all just sucks. I have wanted to cancel my subscription for a long time anyway. I can get all the news I need from the internet. I don’t have to pay the R-S to get news.
November 5, 2007 at 2:53 pm. Permalink.
Linda Russell replied:
Hi Doni,
I still feel like your being gone from the paper is a big MYSTERY. Ok, so now I know you were fired, and thank you for giving us that much. But I still don’t understand WHY. Was there a fight? Personality conflict? Did you get too many personal calls or violate the dress code? WHAT HAPPENED?!
Luckily for me, I never thought the paper was that good to start with, so I can’t agree with everyone else that it’s gone down a rathole. In fact, I never even thought it was a paper so much as a collage. Thank God for the AP or the R-S would be 97% blank pages.
Best of luck to you, Doni. Keep writing!
November 5, 2007 at 3:41 pm. Permalink.
Terry Turner replied:
Doni,
I am in agreement with all the positive comments others have shared about your writing! Your columns have uplifted me, challenged me, inspired me, and helped me make it through some tough times.
Please thank Joe from another fan for helping you set up this wonderful blog!!
I’m looking forward to even More Doni!!
Terry
November 5, 2007 at 4:30 pm. Permalink.
Kimba replied:
Ciao Doni! I was so happy to see a link from CRG to your blog site. I’ve been bummed about the paper since the changes were made but this latest thing with you is crazy… and the last straw. I’m cancelling tomorrow since I can’t make the rally tomorrow. Take a deep breath — we’re all with you.
November 5, 2007 at 8:56 pm. Permalink.
Jim Ceragioli replied:
Doni
It looks like everything that can and should be said has been said. Now it is time to can “Mr. Murkey” who was so exstatic at your being fired so there was one less liberal on the editorial board. Obviously it will be a much lesser board if it is populated by “Mr. Murkey” types and controlled by Der Groupenfuer Llyons.
Yes, you should think about volunteering at the Library helping the younger set of our community understand what Freedom of the Press is all about.
Now, you can return to walking on the River Trail with your sister.
Jim
November 5, 2007 at 8:57 pm. Permalink.
Laurie replied:
Doni – I was firstintroduced to you by your friend Darcie – I was new to the area and she had just hired me to work at nvcss. I had a great career there until just like you I too felt the blade of the guilotine, just over 8.5 years later. However I am glad to see that you will still be accessible – you have become one of my invisable friends. Keep your chin up – and as I keep telling myself – there must be a reason!!laurie
November 5, 2007 at 11:28 pm. Permalink.
Vicki D replied:
Doni-So sorry about what happen at the RS. I am so glad I took the buyout. I am must better off. I will miss your columns, as I to like them. Good Luck
November 7, 2007 at 2:42 pm. Permalink.
Gail Fineberg replied:
Once upon a time there was a fiery, public-spirited Record Searchlight editor by the name of Paul Bodenhamer, who had the nerve to take on Pacific Gas and Electric Co. in a fight for cheap power that the city of Redding could purchase directly from the Feds. He and the citizens of Redding won.
This editor hired an award-winning staff, a staff that combed through and reported on every budget of every school district, small city and town, three counties and Shasta Community College.
We reported on conflicts of interest between developers and elected officials, between a college school board member who owned a farm that was a proposed site for the new college, between county assessors and the land they were appraising at higher values (and tax assessments) and then buying and four-by-fouring to end-run new subdivision laws. As the result of a series of invstigative pieces on the Shasta County Assessor’s Office, the Shasta County Grand Jury issued an information resulting in his resignation, and the California state legislature adopted tough conflict-of-interest laws governing county land assessment practices (I testified).
We reported on findings of water quality control boards, which regularly found evidence if powerful mills dumping effluent into the Sacramento River. We reported on findings of air-quality control boards and the amounts of pollutants that mills were dumping into our air.
In 1972, on the heels of Roe V. Wade, I reported in five series what women in Shasta County had to go through to obtain a legal abortion and what happens when women go to Mexico for an illegal one.
For these efforts, we won AP prizes for enterprise reporting and we were invited as guest lecturers at UC Berkeley.
But that is very ancient history. I have witnessed cracks in the firewall between the business side of the Record Searchlight and editorial side. It sounds now as if the dam has broken and washed away all remnants of a fourth estate.
What will the good people of this beautiful part of the country do when corporate interests have totally corrupted their local government, without their knowing?
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison understood the fragility of democracy, and that only an informed republic can remain one.
To the Scripps owners of the Record Searchlight and its small sister papers, if they still exist: I am appalled. You should be ashamed.
Gail Hayes Fineberg
Reporter, Record-Searchlight, 1962-1977
November 7, 2007 at 2:59 pm. Permalink.