Comments on: Nov. 4: I think it’s gonna be good

By: Mary Simonsen

Mary Simonsen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:05:44 +0000

Dear Doni — I was stunned to learn that your column had been cancelled. You have always been a bright light in a newspaper that feeds on stories of doom and gloom. I have been so touched over the years by your stories. (My favorite was the story of the little boy in Cottonwood who longed for a pair of cowboy boots just like his neighbor wore. His mother had no money her budget for the boots but the little boy’s faith led her to take him out shopping despite having only change in her wallet. The boots were located at a local secondhand store who accepted the amount of change the young mother had for the purchase.) Thank you for never giving anything less than the best and for always insisting on using your column to shed light on all that is still good in society. You outgrew the the Record Searchlight long ago and I look forward to the day when your column appears again – in a much more deserving and appreciative publication.

By: Chris Myers

Chris Myers — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:01:03 +0000

Heard through a Mercury News colleague that things weren’t good at the ol’ R-S. Can’t imagine the rationale behind getting rid of a key local voice and brand in these turbulent times for the industry.

I still remember my time at the R-S fondly, and your terrific energy and enthusiasm – and have little doubt you’ll come through this triumphant.

Run with this blog. Become a WordPress whiz (it’s really not that hard), start tagging these posts and get an image of your shining face on here.

Hope turnout at the Doni rally is grand.

By: Celeste White

Celeste White — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 02:15:19 +0000

Shanna Cannon needs to go, too. She’s definitely calling a lot of the shots here.

By: Jessica M. German

Jessica M. German — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:59:04 +0000

Dear Doni,

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth of support. While it is true that all too many newspapers are suffering losses in readership, doing ridiculous stuff like this (your firing, trashing teachers, trashing high schools, etc.)is not going to make anyone want to read the RS. My daughter has called it the Wretched Flashlight for years, and it lost its last flicker of light when they canned you. I have this sneaky suspicion that you’re more like the Energizer Bunny, though, and you’ll keep going and going long after Silas has departed. You go girl!

By: Maggie T

Maggie T — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:27:49 +0000

(B)logged on and you new blog although listed did not come up. Hope no-one is sabotaging your efforts!
Maggie

By: Sue Crandell

Sue Crandell — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:46:02 +0000

Such a sad comment, but maybe the way to save the paper from it’s hijackers is to get rid of the morons who are running it. My message tomorrow will be along the lines of “hey,hey, ho,ho, Silas Lyons got to go”

By: Ed Heffelfinger

Ed Heffelfinger — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:48:32 +0000

Darn right it’s gonna be good! You’re gonna live longer and be a lot happier without all the fuss of working at that awful place.
I met you a long time ago after my son, Chris and I had been featured in the RS during the divorce and child custody battle from hell. We left Redding five years ago after a lifetime there and moved far far away…to China.
Chris just turned 18 and is attending an American University here in China and I’m teaching English and American Culture at a university in Zhengzhou, China. Life is now incredibly great as both Chris and I have finally been able to put all that tragic past behind us.
You were one of the few reasons I still logged on to the Searchlight everyday. I really don’t see the point in doing that anymore now that you’re gone. Instead, I’m bookmarking your new home and am looking forward to reading you daily.
And Doni, look at the bright side…You got off the Titanic before she sank. The RS is just a shadow of it’s old self. It’s not the paper we grew up with all those years in Redding. The paper is on life support and it won’t be too very long until we hear of it’s passing. A side of me says good riddence but it really is a damn shame!
All the best in life to you Doni!!!

By: boo

boo — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:41:54 +0000

(Well, Joe, THIS is what it takes for an auntie to wade into blog land…I’m so proud of you, from the other side of the globe, to put this together for your mom…good job!) Doni,you may have to hitch a few more rail cars to your train…I’ll be happy to shovel coal in the engine, picket the ‘record-dimmer-switch’ on Wednesday, or whatever it takes to help get the Doni Express in full ‘localmotion’…..I can say for fact, that I have admired you, and have been so very proud of you, every moment I have known you, but never as much for the integrity, honor and class you have displayed during this time of adversity. You are, as Matt would have said, “Top Drawer”…indeed!

By: Maggie T

Maggie T — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:52:50 +0000

P.S. sorry about the typo’s. It’s late!

By: Maggie T

Maggie T — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:50:06 +0000

Hi Doni
Your dad would be proud of you and would probaly treat you to a slap up lunch in San Francisco.
O too cancelled my subscription. Apart from your interesting and varied point of view. i think you were the only journalist at the Record Searchlight who could spell and write gramatically. The erros in the print are awful. The Sunday paper used to be a joy to read now it’s almost nothing but ads and Mr. L’s “opinions”
Miss your columns, despair of all the fillers. I can get more local, state and national news from BBC America.
Great Idea about trying for a new paper!
Meanwhile stop and smell the roses and enjoy your beautiful home. Bread (home made of course) and water beats eatingg humble pie and swallowing your dignity and ethics.
Keep witing………..silly me i’ve never read a blog before!!!!!!
All the best
Maggie