The 2006 BlogaBarbara Person(s) of the Year
I've been thinking about who to choose as BlogaBarbara's Person of the Year for a couple of days and studying the nominations given by readers very carefully. My conclusion is that we need to put an "s" on Person because there are so many people we could choose for their individual efforts but they mean little unless taken in context of the whole picture.
When I think about how BlogaBarbara became popular over the summer as it was one of the few places where the community could find out what was going on - I think it was the continual efforts of many people involved in the News Press Mess that has brought us together. There was no one event or "tipping point" as Malcolm Gladwell would seek. I see this one "unit" that was the tipping point that caused the local and then national attention as a plural unit of many.
Jerry Roberts deserves it but so does Melinda Burns. The countless reporters, columnists, photographers and editors that were part of the Mass Exodus, like Josh Molina who had just gotten married and reporters like Scott Hadly who have children, deserve recognition as well. There's Starshine Roshell who held out for the union vote and The Duct-Tape Gang that brought public attention to the Mess. So, those that remain and are The Organized deserve the award too. It takes courage to make a stand and leave but it also takes courage to take a stand and stay.
The 2006 BlogaBarbara Person(s) of the Year are all those who were courageous enough to leave and say something about their principles, but also those who stayed and are doing something about them as well.
Addendum at 12:30 pm on 1/2/07: Here's a list -- if there are any missing, please let me know:
Jerry Roberts, executive editor
George Foulsham, managing editor
Don Murphy, deputy managing editor
Jane Hulse, city editor
Michael Todd, 'Business' section editor
Barney Brantingham, columnist
Gerry Spratt, 'Sports' section editor
Colin Powers, presentation editor
Scott Hadly, senior writer
Camilla Cohee, staff writer
Lindsay Foster, copy editor
Joshua Molina, staff writer
Chuck Schultz, staff writer
Shelly Leachman, staff writer
Hildy Medina, staff writer
Mike Traphagen, staff writer
Kim Burnell, assistant sports editor
George Hutti, copy editor
Paula Pisani, copy editor
Andrea Huebner, 'Life' section editor
Len Wood, photo editor
Colby Frazier, staff writer
Leah Etling, staff writer
Al Bonowitz, 'Travel' section editor
Starshine Roshell, staff writer
Dale Myers, assistant city editor
Frank Nelson, staff writer
Melinda Burns, staff writer
Edmond Jacoby, 'Business' section editor
1/3/07 Addendum: Readers have suggested the following inclusions...
Dianne Elliott
Melissa Olson
Michael Seabaugh
Michael Kew
Martha Smilgis
When I think about how BlogaBarbara became popular over the summer as it was one of the few places where the community could find out what was going on - I think it was the continual efforts of many people involved in the News Press Mess that has brought us together. There was no one event or "tipping point" as Malcolm Gladwell would seek. I see this one "unit" that was the tipping point that caused the local and then national attention as a plural unit of many.
Jerry Roberts deserves it but so does Melinda Burns. The countless reporters, columnists, photographers and editors that were part of the Mass Exodus, like Josh Molina who had just gotten married and reporters like Scott Hadly who have children, deserve recognition as well. There's Starshine Roshell who held out for the union vote and The Duct-Tape Gang that brought public attention to the Mess. So, those that remain and are The Organized deserve the award too. It takes courage to make a stand and leave but it also takes courage to take a stand and stay.
The 2006 BlogaBarbara Person(s) of the Year are all those who were courageous enough to leave and say something about their principles, but also those who stayed and are doing something about them as well.
Addendum at 12:30 pm on 1/2/07: Here's a list -- if there are any missing, please let me know:
Jerry Roberts, executive editor
George Foulsham, managing editor
Don Murphy, deputy managing editor
Jane Hulse, city editor
Michael Todd, 'Business' section editor
Barney Brantingham, columnist
Gerry Spratt, 'Sports' section editor
Colin Powers, presentation editor
Scott Hadly, senior writer
Camilla Cohee, staff writer
Lindsay Foster, copy editor
Joshua Molina, staff writer
Chuck Schultz, staff writer
Shelly Leachman, staff writer
Hildy Medina, staff writer
Mike Traphagen, staff writer
Kim Burnell, assistant sports editor
George Hutti, copy editor
Paula Pisani, copy editor
Andrea Huebner, 'Life' section editor
Len Wood, photo editor
Colby Frazier, staff writer
Leah Etling, staff writer
Al Bonowitz, 'Travel' section editor
Starshine Roshell, staff writer
Dale Myers, assistant city editor
Frank Nelson, staff writer
Melinda Burns, staff writer
Edmond Jacoby, 'Business' section editor
1/3/07 Addendum: Readers have suggested the following inclusions...
Dianne Elliott
Melissa Olson
Michael Seabaugh
Michael Kew
Martha Smilgis
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 1/01/2007 05:36:00 PM
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58 Comments:
Perfect choice Sara! The honors should be shared and I am glad you included those left behind. Those folks have gone through hell and stuck it out for whatever reason. My hat also goes off to those who left over the last couple of years or so. They didn't get any publicity but there are others who left on principle or were forced out by Wendy.
Good choice.
Please name them!
Great.....you include a person who does not floss her teeth, with the others? I am sure you will not post this because you censor more the McCaw could EVER censor. Your and some of your readers ignorance is beyond sympathy.
7:30 AM -- would love to but I do not have an exhaustive list and would be afraid of missing some. Does anyone have one? Maybe savethenewspress.com?
Strange comment 8:23 AM -- yes, comments like this aren't likely to be published but I am sure it pales in comparison to what letters to the editor never make it to the editorial page or get edited. Would you want something published in the newspaper that says the above? That should be your guide...
I vote for Wendy McCaw. She was the mover and shaker of the year!
No, Sara people did not come here to find out "what's going on". Some of us come here to find out what the pro-aggressive followers are saying about the News Press and our local hero, Travis Armstrong. This is a rant forum, not an information source. Enjoy your perceived popularity, but you might want to be realistic about the nature of it.
Happy New Year.
Although I canceled my subscription, I sometimes read the N-P at the library.
Did more reporters get fired or quit? There are so few local stories in the paper any more.
Jerry Roberts, executive editor
George Foulsham, managing editor
Don Murphy, deputy managing editor
Jane Hulse, city editor
Michael Todd, 'Business' section editor
Barney Brantingham, columnist
Gerry Spratt, 'Sports' section editor
Colin Powers, presentation editor
Scott Hadly, senior writer
Camilla Cohee, staff writer
Lindsay Foster, copy editor
Joshua Molina, staff writer
Chuck Schultz, staff writer
Shelly Leachman, staff writer
Hildy Medina, staff writer
Mike Traphagen, staff writer
Kim Burnell, assistant sports editor
George Hutti, copy editor
Paula Pisani, copy editor
Andrea Huebner, 'Life' section editor
Len Wood, photo editor
Colby Frazier, staff writer
Leah Etling, staff writer
Al Bonowitz, 'Travel' section editor
Starshine Roshell, staff writer
Dale Myers, assistant city editor
Frank Nelson, staff writer
Melinda Burns, staff writer
Edmond Jacoby, 'Business' section editor
since the savethenewspress is run by the Teamsters and not the organized as they say, maybe you can add to your list
bye bye,
A blog is both a rant forum and an informational source. Whether you take the info at face value is up to you, as it is with any source.
The NP management supporters have a habit of hijacking a thread that points out said management's inadequacy by attacking the blog. Classic misdirection. It doesn't work in this case, though, as our eyes remain fixated on the truth: McCaw is needlessly wrecking the NP and doesn't care how many careers she destroys along the way.
It's been said before: start your own blog if you don't like this one. Unlike a paper, you needn't land a billion dollar divorce settlement to start a blog - they're as free as a pigeon in the park.
Heck, I even started a blog for you so you wouldn't have to steer blogabarbara off topic to get your point out:
Down With The Little Guy
Funny how so few people seem interested in that blog...
so few local stories in the SBNP? yeah, like NONE today.
Are you sure you want to name Jerry Roberts with his pending issues? The others on the list will not embarrass you when the hammer falls. Just a thought, but don't try and backpedal away when it comes down....and it is coming down. Tell them Jerry, who visited you while you were in the hospital.
Anne Peyrat?
Worker Bee, I visited your blog and saw that it is pure satire, which makes it even more difficult to sort the information from the entertainment, so it's not for me. Thanks anyway.
The NP management supporters have a habit of hijacking a thread that points out said management's inadequacy by attacking the blog. Classic misdirection.
More like classic right-direction. If every thread is started with a bias-laden preface that is anti-NewsPress, one would expect that some people would question the source of the blog, or the very purpose of it.
It doesn't work in this case, though, as our eyes remain fixated on the truth: McCaw is needlessly wrecking the NP and doesn't care how many careers she destroys along the way.
Who's we? Is Sara part of the we? Sara, are you willing to state that Wendy McCaw doesn't care how many careers she has destroyed? Do you and Worker Bee work together on this as he/she claims?
4:29 PM -- I have no idea who worker bee is (for that matter any of you!) -- you'll notice that I used one of his/her posts as an example yesterday...as for careers destroyed, the list speaks for itself.
WORKER BEE: You have to post in regularly in your blog if you want to see comments...
Melissa Olson?
Dianne Elliott?
Ana Fuentes, Vlad Kogan, and Randy Alcorn? Why not be ecumenical?
How about the 5 local columnists, also Michael Kew and
Martha Smilgis?
careers destroyed? no, in life we all make decisions - and with every door that closes, or we choose to close, new ones do open. it is the sad person that revels in the misery of the past, can't let go and move on. look at barney and many of the others who left of their own free will and are continuing with their careers, which have not been destroyed? the list only speaks to people who have chosen to leave and a few that have been asked, for reasons. whatever the reason, people should start the rebuilding process not the dismantling of things way beyond their control. move along now no matter which side you are on.
4:29PM -- Please spare us the harrassing, misguided statements that could only come from someone backed into a corner of emotional distress.
Sara, Worker Bee or any anonymous blogger doesn't need to state the obvious.
The beauty of someone like Sara providing the community with information that the NP refuses to publish makes the ugliness of the situation self-evident.
You ask: Who are we? I am we, we are we, we are many, many different people, more than you care to acknowledge. (Which I don't blame you for being in denial of. Being outnumbered can be daunting.)
I, along with the rest of the "we's" don't need to state the obvious. The situation speaks for itself. Sara simply sheds the light on it.
Sweet mother of Buddha, what a load of feel-good nonsense this is. Sara, you wrote: "Time Magazine really dropped the ball with naming 'YOU' the person of the year."
So I ask, How is your Persons of the Year any different? Maybe there's a finite number -- maybe -- but sheesh, naming the legions of Wendy's shenanigans is darn near ... "YOU."
Wendy, for better or for worse, was so clearly the person with the greatest impact on SB that it's not funny. And I mean that literally. Look at it: why are all the Departed and the Still Stuck in That Hellhole so honored? Because of WENDY.
If you're gonna have a Nice People Who Got Screwed award, fine. Do it. But this ... no.
Perhaps the mother of Buddha would even say that we are all one so the award should have gone to all of us! You make a good point and Wendy McCaw could have been named it as well -- it came down to who had the greater impact. To me, these folks did....
All of this tripe about worker bee and sara is off topic. The topic remains: people of the year - the NP staff. I think they deserve it. This should include the Teamsters who stuck around to fight the power - I think they deserve it the most.
By Time magazine's criteria, McCaw is deserved. By my criteria, she deserves nothing.
Note to wine guy: I know...my blog is clearly a one-off farce designed to demonstrate to people that attacking the "bias" of a blog is like calling the ocean wet. I have no desire to post to it or make it a "thing". Go make your own blog, you boobs!
Anon 6:53,
If feel good nonsense is congratulating the people who stand up to ignorance, call me Fell Good Johnson.
Are there any other issues worthy of the radical left's attention besides the chronic stupidity at the News-suppress?
Damn, just when I thought my boots were high enough!
I need to not post when I've had a pint or two. I meant to say the "legions of Wendy's victims..."
Also, I messed up the attribution. Note who posted above. No drinking and posting.
Sara and Worker Bee, the criterium was, "for better or worse, who had the most impact on our community in the last year?"
It's not about congratulating people for being honorable. Once again: If Wendy weren't around and spitting in the soup we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Look, many of The Departed and The Sticking It Out are good friends of mine, people I genuinely love and respect. But if you're gonna say the Person of the Year is he or she "who had the most impact" here, anybody other than Wendy is a joke.
For the record, Melinda Burns is a Senior Writer.
anonymous 5:46 dismissiveness in the rhetorical "careers destroyed?" seems to ridicule the seriousness of unemployment and the broader dilema of stability vs. instability.
So many have bought weird Ronald Reagan republican ideals that seem to state that if you don't like the way things are, just quit or move on. If you don't own it, you don't have a stake in it. Just shut up and find another job or community.
In the end if this republican ideal is not corrected, through progressive movements, there will be no stability in community. Just about everyone will become a roving independent toothless contractor with no dental, an unstable lifestlye, detached from family, poor wages, no benefits and no real stake in any community.
The elite and rich will always find sycophants to fluff and fold for them, keeping them stable while off dining, pillaging, yachting or horseback riding.
Furthermore, naming Wendy McCaw Person of the Year would be like naming George W. Bush Warrior of all Time. Just because someone can stir up the pot doesn't mean they are worthy of any award. For the dittoheads among us ditto for Travis, no awards for the sycophant polishing up Wendy's "Lacroix" sweety dahling (see Craigs Smiths blog)
p.s. I didn't have any nominations but if I did it would be sara de la guerra
Sad honor roll.
Thank you for reminding us of the people who actually attended governmental meetings and then reported on what happened for our benefit.
Thank you for mentioning those who were out there reporting on disasters (big and small) when we weren't able to walk down the block to check on the flashing lights or pull over and inquire about the smoke and flames.
Thank you for identifying people who put their professional lives on the line to tell me about that planning commission meeting. The one I couldn't go to because I work.
Thank you for telling me about the drunk driver who put me and my family at risk. (Even if I'd known it was a local "leader" standing out there walking that line with his eyes closed and his arms extended, I couldn't have stopped at the side of the road to find out what's going on.)
Thanks for standing up for our local news media.
Thank you.
You all seem to miss the point as to why the employees were named. It is because of them that Wendy even made the news and blogs. If Jerry had simply quit and left alone, none of this would have happened. Leaving a good job in SB is not an easy option so it took a lot of courage for these folks to walk. The journalism community has rallied and helped them find new employment, but mostly that happened after the fact. Also, how many do you think took a major pay cut! That hurts when the costs of living are as high as they are in SB. Those that have stayed deserve credit too as that hasn't been easy either!
Here is the link to Barney's article mentioning the
departure of Elliott and Olson:
Barney, October 17
I'm not sure why Ana Fuentes and Randy Alcorn are omitted... is it because they are not part of the in-clique of journalists? Although Wendy ruthlessly exploited Ana Fuentes, Todd's treatment of her was inappropriate.
I can see why Vlad Kogan is omitted, although he was treated abysmally by many in this blog and elsewhere; just the sort of nastiness that inhibits healing.
Not sure why the 5 local columnists, Michael Kew, Martha Smilgis, and of course Michael Seabaugh are omitted.
Anonymous 3:21 pm
I am so excited to hear that the high and mighty Jerry Robert's pedestal is beginning to tip. Now that is good news. An embarrassment? I smell a scandal.
Aren't you going to add Travis Armstrong to the list? He's hung in there through all of the mess, and he has certainly had a great impact on Santa Barbara. You've included other "reader's suggestions". Will you include mine?
hmmm....Sara, it seems that you blocked my posting. I'll try again.
Travis Armstrong should be on the list for hanging in there during the mess, and for the fact that he has made a great impact on the community. (I think a beneficial impact, but an impact nonetheless). Wendy McCaw may own the paper, but Travis does not. He is an employee that has toughed it out just like the others.
You've included others "reader's suggestions". Will you include mine?
(BTW, there were no harsh words or attacks in my previous posting attempt, either.)
Why are only former journalist nominated. While they are interesting and the whole mess was entertaining - they did not one thing to improve the life of our community - and so many others did - so many non profit leaders - so many teachers and individuals.
Reporters live on the side lines watching life go by and reporting - they are not persons of the year.
2:46 and 5:19 PM -- I never know whether I've blocked your comment as you are anonymous...I didn't, just had a lot of work this afternoon. One could make the argument that Travis started the whole thing two years ago when he started going after Mayor Blum especially and then Supervisor Rose. Reviewing any other newspaper in the US, I don't think you'll find an editor that has been as vindictive and mean-spirited towards public officials as he. They may have issues with public officials, which is fine...but do they use the same tone and demeanor? The answer is no. In short, he would have been a good choice too.
6:40 pm -- in the text of the post, I think I made it clear that the award also goes to those who stayed. When I have a minute later tonight, I'll make that list.
OK, everyone, it's January 3 -- enough with the body count. It's horrible and depressing ... and let's leave it at that, for now.
Instead, let's talk about solutions? Any new ideas?
Let's talk about the continuing drop in the quality of the paper. Was there even a local story on page one today?
Also, when is Wendy going to run the story about the NLRB prosecuting the News-Press for labor violations and hauling the paper before a federal judge in late February? The L.A. Times and other media across the nation have carried the story. Is she also going to impose a news blackout on the trial itself?
Anon 3:21,
I'll pre-censor this for Sara's convenience:
After you've finished (edit) Wendy's (edit), do you wash your hands?
Please tell me what Jerry Roberts ever did to anyone in this community that even begins to compete with forcing dozens of people out of work? Come on! Let's hear one good reason...just one.
You give me one, I'll give you ten worse by McCaw. Double dare...
Don't forget the NP community columnists especially Stephen Murdock, whose blistering Montecito column seared Wendy, who then burned ALL community columns!
That list is shocking. How can anybody look at a list that long and not be certain there is something wrong with management?
I think the Duct-Tape Gang would get my vote. Every morning I had to ask my partner after his daily rant, Why on earth do you give Travis the satisfaction of reading his column if it makes you so mad? The scope of the problem didn't mean much to me until I saw the Duct-Tape gang and Barney speaking in the Plaza. Then I knew the problem wasn't just my personal opinion or Travis' column. Both were symptoms of a much bigger problem.
I appreciate Blogabarbara (and the Independent and Barney and a few others) being there to tell me all about it.
Sara said: "One could make the argument that Travis started the whole thing two years ago when he started going after Mayor Blum especially and then Supervisor Rose."
Hallelujah! I, for one, am very thankful to Travis for taking these politicians to task. We finally got Susan Rose to budge. She should have responded to her people sooner and more honestly. Instead it took months of volunteered time with no guarantee that our representative would respond correctly. Travis kept a spotlight on Rose's shenanigans and she eventually moved into damage-control mode, which meant responding to her constituents. Now we are hoping that Wolf will step up and do a better job.
Thank you Travis!
One could make the argument that Travis started the whole thing two years ago when he started going after Mayor Blum especially and then Supervisor Rose.Reviewing any other newspaper in the US, I don't think you'll find an editor that has been as vindictive and mean-spirited towards public officials as he. They may have issues with public officials, which is fine...but do they use the same tone and demeanor? The answer is no. In short, he would have been a good choice too.
Ahhhhh...I get it now. This whole thing is about how "mean" Travis has been to Marty Blum and Susan Rose. And, you claim that Travis is the meanest newspaper man in all the land. And its not about facts, its about tone and demeanor. How enlightening.
BUILD BACK THAT NICE WALL!
6:40 p.m., that's unfair. nonprofit leaders, etc. are undoubtedly important but if there was no one to report their activities they wouldn't get the attention (and the funding) they deserve. what kind of life would the community have if there was no news?
Anon 9:52, keep hoping, 'cause the new 2d District Supe. is a rose in wolf's clothing.
Oh yeah, Travis is real freedom fighter, hiding in his little office overlooking the NP parking lot. He's so brave and resolute he won't print any letters disagreeing with his nasty, dishonest rantings. Clearly the hero you deserve.
Well, I guess no reaction from Sara or anyone else on the omission of Ana Fuentes, Vlad Kogan, and Randy Alcorn from the list. Vlad joined after the meltdown, so I can agree with his omission.
I find it hard to agree with the omission of Alcorn... he was fired, and he spoke out about the News Press' problems.
I'm more or less on the fence about Fuentes. She certainly did not support the cause of the leavers, but on the other hand, Todd's comments to here were inappropriate. Leaving her off seems to me to support Todd's comments, which is wrong. Certainly her life has been messed up by this whole thing, and she did speak out, if I recall.
The five local columnists were Bill Etling, Stephen Murdoch, Amy Orozco, Rochelle Rose, and Helen Thomas. Seems to me that Etling and Murdoch definitely spoke out about the News-Press issues.
12:37 anon: it's comments like yours that demean and diminish any hope for civil public discourse....join Travis at the trough of bitter acerbic bile
I've started a new blog about people who've been forced to quit their jobs because of despicable working conditions. These people have suffered the dehydrating effects of heat lamps and the pain of having their cuticles soaked in pickle juice. All that plus low pay while being given orders constantly. That's right. Wendy McCaw is a gentle lamb compared to Ronald McDonald!
Join me and thousands of others who will no longer stand by for this disgrace. We will rise against the pasty-faced clown and re-install the kitchen wall!
We shall open our pieholes and unleash our bitter rage!
MCDONALD, OBEY THE LAW
4:59 -- I didn't communicate more about that but my reasoning is similar to yours. Just not so sure about Alcorn....
Sara says:
"4:59 -- I didn't communicate more about that but my reasoning is similar to yours. Just not so sure about Alcorn...."
Reality says:
Person(s) of the Year? Give up the charade! This is Sara's list of fellow NP haters. This is a buddy list. A grease job. A mazola party, if you will.
Silly silly stuff, Ms. DLG. Pass the margarine.
The debate over the salsipuedes list shows that this saga doesn't have heroes and villains, just people making complicated decisions for often-complicated reasons.
Your list includes Edmond Jacoby, who was hired as a post-meltdown scab editor and later fired. Yet it does not include Vladimir Kogan, who was hired under the same circumstances yet left of his own accord. Why the discrepancy? Does Jerry Roberts belong on the list but Joe Cole - likely pressured out for some of the same reasons, yet with less fanfare - does not?
philosoph -- the intention was around staff who were part of the reason the Mess came to light and I've made it clear in the post and in a previous comment that I don't pretend to have an exhaustive list as there are so many! I think that Kogan and Cole's inclusion on the list would be debateable. If there is support for your suggestion out there -- let's do it, but I think it's also time to move on out of the mazola :)
Sara, what's your agenda?
I mean, you obviously put a lot of time into this and you're not being paid for it - there's no advertising.
So there must be something pushing you, driving you, motivating you.
Those words, those words, those words ...
Community, philosoph, community is my agenda. Where else can one discuss these issues but on blogs?
OK, Sara, we now have had lots of posts about the body count so far. Quibbling about who is in and who is out at the margins might be fun, but I'm not sure how much it helps those still working at the News-Press or what it does for the community's need for an ethical daily newspaper of record.
How about a post where the community can offer McCaw constructive suggestions about how she can turn around her continuing Mess? She probably won't listen, but let's see what we can come up with.
Not initiating meritless new litigation -- and dropping the old -- might be an opening suggestion.
Community doesn't pay the bills, Sara.
I think you have a hidden agenda. Maybe you're using this blog as a springboard to public office.
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Sara De la Guerra kind of has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
What agenda do any of the millions of bloggers out there have? Just to express themselves, anonymously or otherwise, and perhaps provide a feedback. I heard it said of blogging, used to be everyone would be famous for 15 minutes, now everyone will be famous to 15 people.
Odd sort of fame in this case when it involves a (pardon the pun, "Sara") nom de guerre. And we don't know if it's 15 people, or 150, or five, who read this. That's the hoot.
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