Friday, February 10, 2012

Farewell to Elizabeth Crisp

I hate writing these posts. Best wishes to Clarion-Ledger reporter Elizabeth Crisp as she heads to St. Louis for bigger and better things. I thought she was the best reporter at the Clarion-Ledger as she wrote without an agenda, did her homework, and always tried to get the facts straight (and yes, I'm including Jerry Mitchell in that group.). She took her job seriously and was always trying to improve her knowledge of the legislature as it was her regular beat. I predict Ms. Crisp will leave St. Louis for even better things one day, such as New York or Washington.

Oh, and there were twelve more buyouts at the Clarion-Ledger.

Update: Just got word on some who were offered buyouts. Do NOT, repeat do NOT know if they accepted the buyouts. Brace yourselves: Rick Cleveland, Bobby Cleveland, Gary Pettus, Bill Zimmerman (copy desk),David Hampton, Earnest Hart, and Debbie Skipper. Others eligible but do NOT know if they were offered: Billy Watkins, Wow.

50 comments:

Frugal Gal said...

Well, they clearly haven't had copy editors in more than a year -- how many employees were left to buy out?

And, at what point does Gannett just say "screw it" and shut down the paper?

Anonymous said...

Are you implying Jerry Mitchell DOES try to get his facts straight and DOES NOT have an agenda? Really?

Prepositional phrases with compound, three-part objects can trip up the clearest writer sometimes?

Her departure is a loss for Jackson; she really was a good writer on a paper with a dwindling number who could even be described as adequate.

Anonymous said...

But Jimmie Gates will be there forever.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see her go. She did good job tweeting from the capitol during session.

Anonymous said...

Any word on who accepted (or was forced to take) a buyout?

Frugal Gal said...

Will shed no tears over Pettus, but Rick Cleveland, seriously? Is Gannett actually a nefarious underworld Communist organization set out to destroy what's left of journalism?

Anonymous said...

Who knew they even had a copy desk?

Anonymous said...

How do you say "Heart of the C-L"

To coin an old southern chinese expression "Dang"!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure they could get Hart to leave if they offered him a signed photo of Steve Jobs, and iTunes gift card and an old Mac Quadra to serve as the altar for the Apple shrine he has set up in the corner of his spare bedroom.

Anonymous said...

If Rick and Bobby go, especially Rick, there's no reason for me to ever pick up that rag again. Billy Watkins would be missed as well. Pettus not so much.

Anonymous said...

Well, my wife's been wanting me to cancel CL for a long time in favor of a real newspaper even though it wouldn't be local. If this info is correct, that should be enough to make me finally cancel after 36 years. Maybe if I subscribe to at least the weekend editions of the Commercial Appeal and the Sun Herald we can get enough MS news for the week.

Anonymous said...

Sounds as if C-Liar is finally going down the tubes! Time for a "real" newspaper to take over!

Anonymous said...

That is a talented list. A death knell for the print media in Jackson.

Pettus is one of my favorite writers. I don't know why all the barbs here on him. He has a great talent for making me interested in something or someone I don't give a damn about.

Kim Wade said...

The pressure from the Coffee News is getting the best of the "newspaper of record".
Go Coffee News!

Anonymous said...

Please capitalize South, Southern, Sothron and The South.

Anonymous said...

Pettus didn't hold a candle to Orley Hood.

I really don't understand their methodology. Why would they completely decimate their "talent" pool? The least they could do is throw a director-level sacrificial lamb out the window....I'm looking at you, Hampton.

Anonymous said...

I wish they would get rid of Rick Cleveland. He is a nasty individual and is one of the main reasons they are going down the drain. You can't be a horse's ass to your customers. He should learn that.

Anonymous said...

It's getting difficult to justify purchasing the C-L. If Pettus and Cleveland go, I'll not be able to.

Anonymous said...

Who cares? What I'm seeing here is like an old western with folks coming from miles around to watch a hangin' and Boot Hill burial. Move along peepul...nothing to see here.

Anonymous said...

It's simple. Gannett/The C-L is in a huge mess of financial trouble. It doesn't matter how talented the writer/editor/copy editor/etc. is, it matters that there's literally no way the paper can afford to keep them. Doesn't matter if they're freaking Hunter S. Thompson. The only solution is to fire the senior employees (read: ones who are paid the most) and hire younger employees (read: ones who can be hired at a much, much lower wage.) Talent is the last thing Gannett is worried about. EVERYONE is dispensable. Really screwed up, but it's reality. If anyone tells you print isn't dead, they're delusional. SImple as that.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure Bill Zimmerman is still with the CL. I know at one time he had left, but might have returned. Anyway, all the folks on that list have great experience and are good journalists. The paper won't survive this wave of cuts, I don't think. No more connections to the community.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't she the sexy looking girl? If so, hate to see her go.

Anonymous said...

Rick Cleveland is a joke but I think the CL is too far gone to salvage. They will go down the tubes or radically restructure into a much smaller (if that's possible) organization. When I am in a city of similar size such as Shreveport or Mobile all I can think when is read their papers is how much better they are than the CL.

Burke said...

Rick Cleveland hacked off an earlier commenter, but he's a first-rate journalist. Bobby is in a more specialized role, but he is a significantly better writer. I read him just to be reading him. With them gone, there's nothing left but raw information and questionable reporting. Whether black or white, I don't think there are more than a handful of us who care to read Jerry Mitchell or Bill Minor, both of whom are stuck in time. Sic transit (a bit of) gloria.

Anonymous said...

No, the sexy one is the bald, peyote snortin', guru Indian-bongo drummer who writes the garden column. Ewing.

Anonymous said...

This is a big part of the problem, The Gannett World headquarters in VA. along with all those massive salary's that go with it. Pic

http://gannettsucks.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-is-what-america-gets-instead-of.html

Anonymous said...

Better yet go to Google or Bing maps look up Gannett Headquarters
Aarlington, VA and sit down to be amazed.

Anonymous said...

OOoooPs

McLean, Va for Gannett

Sacred Cows Only Shit on Sidewalks said...

Rick Cleveland is a great sports journalist but in the last decade has developed a bad case of Hamptontiasis which terribly soiled his special franchise.

Let's hope he follows Salter's syndication model so that all of Mississippi can continue to enjoy his sports coverage for years to come.

KaptKangaroo said...

Good luck Elizabeth. I've enjoyed your column!

Anonymous said...

Appears to finally be a "Not if, but when" scenario.

Everyone has known the CL is just like the City of Jackson. The slow death of a city and it's "newspaper" has been obvious for years.

At least we're now close to the end. Stop the suffering. Let Jeff and Jill do their Sweet Tater' Parade, while hopefully some brave soul does the
Kevorkian dance around an ICU extension cord.

Anonymous said...

What is "Salter's syndication model"? I used to hear him on the radio but I thought he retired or died.

Anonymous said...

Hey 10:08, the city just landed the country's best grocery store chain and people are lined up to live downtown. Print media may be dying but Jackson is not. You are either uninformed or confused.

Richard Raven said...

Horrible news. The media is already weak in Mississippi and this just makes it pathetic. The money distributors in the Capitol already pretty much had their way, but now we'll find out a twentieth of the bs instead of a tenth like now.

Anonymous said...

For every person "lined up" to live downtown there are ten others leaving the city.

Anonymous said...

I give the new McDowell / Terry Road "Fresh Market Food Depot" a year before they move out too.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm....I wonder if Wyatt Emmerich would consider adding a sports section and starting a daily newspaper? He has done very well with community weeklies. Wyatt, start a daily!

Anonymous said...

Not sure a daily would fly ($$$) but publishing 2-3 times per week might.

Anonymous said...

all of us would be better off if jerry mitchell AND bill minor would just shut up and go away, far, far away...

Anonymous said...

Bobby Cleveland is the laziest person I have ever met. His articles are useless. Jerry Mitchell lives in one dimension and needs to MOVE ON.

Anonymous said...

They should all take the buyout because if they don't the decision will be made for them a few months down the road and they won't get two weeks per year of service but caped at oe year and insurance. Take the offer and run boys! Rick and Bobby will Have no trouble writing and finding work. Billy Watkins is the BEST writer at the paper but all will be missed and I will have no reason to even read the sports anymore. Good luck guys.

Anonymous said...

Billy, Gary and Rick will all be missed but they need to take the buyout just as Bobby does. Bobby is an example of what is happening in that paper, because the last three or four years, he has had very little time to devote to his outdoor beat. Lazy? His ability to do every phase of the operation has hurt his writing ability. As the staff continues to dwindle, Billy, Gary and Rick would face the same situation — editing and production. As for Bobby, if you see this, I hope you get out so we can have time to hunt and fish like we used to.

Shadowfax said...

I predict what's left of the paper will still use articles written by Salter from his golden podium at MSU and of course the labor union columnist over at TSUN will feed the plebes his drivel. They can't fire Mitchell over in Vicksburg and will keep using his stuff if he wants to email it. The racist redhead will sell his dung to Gannett until the day he's screwed into the dirt and Gannett pays enough for sindication crap to spin most of it off onto the CL pages.

Apparently a business decision has been made that nobody is interested in local news or happenings or if they are, they can get it here, from localized talk radio or at the gym. Then there's the octogenarian table at McDonald's in Madison.

Don Kings Highway said...

11:50 PM:

You're wrong about the 1 to 10 comparison ... well, maybe that's true for Lake Trace. Jackson's tax base will continue to erode over time, but I the decline will be slower than it was 15 years ago. People really are lining up to move into Fondren, but the price per square foot sellers are demanding keeps the houses on the market longer than a few weeks.

A new newspaper probably fail in Jackson. Gannett would start slinging resources at The Clarion-Ledger to crush it. They can quell an uprising better than the Syrians.

Look on the bright side: we still have The Jackson Free Press here to provide a voice to the voiceless.

Shadowfax said...

7:11, other than resembling an artsy convenience store, can you offer any backup for your comment that people are lining up to move into Fondren? Or were you shitting me just because you can?

Anonymous said...

Per the USCensus with nearly three (2.85) people leaving Jackustan on average every single day of the year 11:50's estimate is likely to be greatly understated.

Anonymous said...

So long, David Hampton. Don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.

10:56 (aka Ben Allen or a BA wannabe)...I keep hearing how people are "lining up" to move downtown where there's no retail, no gas stations, no drug stores ('cept the independent distributors on the street corner), no full service grocery (butcher, bakery), but I have yet to see it. I travel downtown after hours every couple of months and you could take a nap on Capitol Street at 9pm on a week night.

You can keep saying that everyone is moving to downtown, but it's just talk. It doesn't make it true.
But, hey, there's gonna be a Whole Foods in Highland Village in two years, so you won't have to drive to Ridgeland to get your arugula and ugli fruit. woo hoo.

Anonymous said...

Anyone walked through Greenwood Cemetery lately. It ain't the dead folks there who is 'bout to jack yo ass!

Anonymous said...

Never has there been a better time for an independently owned or non-profit paper (i.e. Northeast MS Journal) to pop up in the Metro Area. Gannett is a joke and they are taking down the area paper. Rumor has it that they will be TRYING to charge for online content soon...Good Luck with THAT!

Anonymous said...

I tried to look up a Greenville obit the other day and couldn't since they charge to view content at the Delta Democrat Times. I had hoped Obama would grant a waiver for the obits.



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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