Just wanted to give a major thank you to John Kroll, News Impact Editor at the Plain Dealer.

 

I've been ranting on my blog about the negative work of the PD and one of the posts was concerning the positive outlook for University Circle and Carol Colletta's (CEOs for Cities) comments about its possibilities.  I mentioned how we shouldn't tell the local paper about it...

 

Well he responded with a very nice comment about all the positive coverage University Circle has received recently.  Impressive.  Kudos to him. 

Well he responded with a very nice comment about all the positive coverage University Circle has received recently. Impressive. Kudos to him.

 

Do you have a link to that?

http://darthvadermeditations.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-cleveland-really.html

 

It's nothing extraordinary, but it is a nice gesture. 

I have been an avid reader of local media publications (PD, FreeTimes, Scene, Crains, Plain Press, In Business, Sun, Currents, Angle, etc) since moving back to Cleveland in mid '03 and a daily subscriber to the PD since Dec '07.

 

In the past two years of reading the PD, I've noticed a definitive shift towards more in-depth coverage about issues affecting our region as well as a better focus on syndicated content affecting the future of our region, i.e alternative fuels & energy, regional government, and bio-tech.  Since Susan Goldberg has become the Editor, I have further noticed more stories that focus on our region's strengths and even a few new columns that highlight the best of cleveland, i.e. 'My Cleveland'

As for a definitive urban focus, I believe it's up to the citizens of our region, as much as the PD, to embrace the fact that the health of the entire region is based on a healthy core. 

 

Oh, and one more thing, someone on UO long-ago pointed out that 'positive CLV stories' often end with a negative quip.  For the most part, IMHO, this seems to have ended.

 

In no way do I believe the PD is perfect, but I do believe they have made a concerted effort to improve.

Could someone please explain to me why every county government article is under the heading "County in Crisis" as opposed to something like "County Scandal" which is really more reflective of the truth?

here's the PGH response to the 'Power from Pittsburgh' article in the PD last week

 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/mcnickle/s_600621.html

^ wow, why doesn't the Trib tell us what they really think about the PD article...

^ Wow, to actually hear it from a Pittsburgh paper.  If that doesnt indicate poor and in-accurate/local negative journalism from the PD, then I dont know what does.   

The PD article about Pittsburgh is the kind of horseshit you write when you have an agenda. I don't mind advocacy journalism -- but be clear as to what you're advocating. I don't know what the PD is advocating, but articles like the Pittsburgh piece (and countless others) make it clear there is one.

The Plain Dealer is such a rag - reading that Pittsburgh article just makes me even more mad at the PD than usual.  That said, I visited friends in Pittsburgh last year and had a very nice time at some of the pubs.  It's definitely a city on the upswing.

^wow, I wonder if this guy is trying to get a job at the PD, he seems to have the bashing the home city routine down pat.

Roldo posted this on Realneo.us.  Link is here.

---

 

 

GOLDBERG'S MESSAGE TO PD STAFF

Submitted by Roldo on December 1, 2008 - 1:49pm.

 

The following is the message to Plain Dealer reporters from Editor Susan Goldberg that will mean 27 people will find out with a phone call that their services are no longer required.

 

It gives privacy, says Goldberg, not to mention a cold message of job loss. Couldn't it have been handled more humanely?

 

Here's the message:

 

Colleagues:

 

As you all know, we previously announced the need to reduce our staff size.

 

Unfortunately, there was insufficient participation in the voluntary buyout program. Therefore, we must reduce our workforce by 27 bargaining unit positions. Here is how that procedure will work:

 

If you are in the bargaining unit, no matter what your shift or schedule, please be reachable by phone tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 2) between 7:00 am to 9:30 am. I will be calling the people who have been selected for layoff during that time. If you do not receive a phone call by 9:30 am, please report to work at your regularly scheduled start time.

 

There is no good way to tell anyone he or she has been laid off. We have chosen to do it this way because I believe it respects and protects the laid off person's privacy when receiving such traumatic news. In a world of bad options, this seems the best alternative.

 

If you receive a phone call, we will set up a time for you to come in to meet with Human Resources, fill out paperwork and pick up your personal belongings. All people who are being laid off will no longer come to work beginning Dec. 2, but will be paid for the following two weeks, in addition to their full severance.

 

Please open the "editorial utilities" icon on your desktop and click on "home phones" to make sure that your home and cell phone numbers are correct. Those are the numbers I will call. If corrections need to be made, please send them to Loreen at [email protected]. She will get the correct numbers into the system by tonight.

 

I regret very much that I will have to make even one call, let alone 27, but The Plain Dealer must reduce its workforce to remain a viable enterprise. I appreciate in advance your professionalism.

 

Susan.

 

Why didn't she just write them a letter?  >:D

 

It could start of negatively, go downhill fast, add some personal observations about the person that are unrelated to their job performance add a sentence about the way things were in the past and then end it with what she would do to improve the Plain Dealer.

 

They should all be fired.

 

Wonder what the backup plan is if someone decides to not answer their phone.

Wow, I think that's the scariest memo I've ever seen.  Who would want to show up the next day?  Who could show up and not vomit into their trash all morning waiting to see if they get a phone call? 

Wow, I think that's the scariest memo I've ever seen.  Who would want to show up the next day?  Who could show up and not vomit into their trash all morning waiting to see if they get a phone call? 

 

thats probably what they will do.

 

When I was at SOHIO, right before the move the move to the tower, they did this to one of the IT departments.  It was a nightmare. 

It was like this my whole last year at another Cleveland company, whose downhill slide was fast and furious.  Everyone had boxes under their desk for months because you knew any day when you showed up it could be your day, and eventually it was mine just like everyone else's.  It was the day I got back from my wedding.  2 days later, my husband got laid off.  It sure was a great way to start off a marriage :)  But back to topic.

I notice that Ms. Goldberg didn't choose to participate in the voluntary buyout program as well.  I know that layoffs are inevitable and that someone has to be the bad guy, but there has got to be a better way than an email like that.  Couldn't they at least wait until after the holidays?

I notice that Ms. Goldberg didn't choose to participate in the voluntary buyout program as well.  I know that layoffs are inevitable and that someone has to be the bad guy, but there has got to be a better way than an email like that.  Couldn't they at least wait until after the holidays?

 

it's a business, you have to do it at that point. 

 

Trust, before the holidays is better than after.  If after you might have purchased more than you should have.

That is a terrible way to announce layoffs.  First of all, it shouldn't be done at the beginning of a week.  Give people the weekend to absorb and adjust.  Plus, this "I'll call you before 9:30" business forces people to wake up and get ready to leave for work before finding out.  Bad form all around.

That is a terrible way to announce layoffs.  First of all, it shouldn't be done at the beginning of a week.  Give people the weekend to absorb and adjust.  Plus, this "I'll call you before 9:30" business forces people to wake up and get ready to leave for work before finding out.  Bad form all around.

 

How many of you are in management?  Its not always what you want to do, but what you have to do. 

 

Stop thinking with your hearts and think with the bottom line in mind.

 

Cold hearted?  Yes, but it is what it is?

MTS, I don't think the argument is with having to DO layoffs, clearly that is warranted.  The method is extremely poor.

Roldo posted this on Realneo.us. Link is here.

---

 

 

GOLDBERG'S MESSAGE TO PD STAFF

Submitted by Roldo on December 1, 2008 - 1:49pm.

 

The following is the message to Plain Dealer reporters from Editor Susan Goldberg that will mean 27 people will find out with a phone call that their services are no longer required.

 

It gives privacy, says Goldberg, not to mention a cold message of job loss. Couldn't it have been handled more humanely?

 

Here's the message:

 

Colleagues:

 

As you all know, we previously announced the need to reduce our staff size.

 

Unfortunately, there was insufficient participation in the voluntary buyout program. Therefore, we must reduce our workforce by 27 bargaining unit positions. Here is how that procedure will work:

 

If you are in the bargaining unit, no matter what your shift or schedule, please be reachable by phone tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 2) between 7:00 am to 9:30 am. I will be calling the people who have been selected for layoff during that time. If you do not receive a phone call by 9:30 am, please report to work at your regularly scheduled start time.

 

There is no good way to tell anyone he or she has been laid off. We have chosen to do it this way because I believe it respects and protects the laid off person's privacy when receiving such traumatic news. In a world of bad options, this seems the best alternative.

 

If you receive a phone call, we will set up a time for you to come in to meet with Human Resources, fill out paperwork and pick up your personal belongings. All people who are being laid off will no longer come to work beginning Dec. 2, but will be paid for the following two weeks, in addition to their full severance.

 

Please open the "editorial utilities" icon on your desktop and click on "home phones" to make sure that your home and cell phone numbers are correct. Those are the numbers I will call. If corrections need to be made, please send them to Loreen at [email protected]. She will get the correct numbers into the system by tonight.

 

I regret very much that I will have to make even one call, let alone 27, but The Plain Dealer must reduce its workforce to remain a viable enterprise. I appreciate in advance your professionalism.

 

Susan.

 

 

Here in Cleveland, the second poorest big city in the country, we have to make some layoffs...

 

hmmmm... create a paper people don't want to throw in the trash, and keep your subscription rate from plummeting, and you may not have to keep laying people off. Just a thought.

That is a terrible way to announce layoffs. First of all, it shouldn't be done at the beginning of a week. Give people the weekend to absorb and adjust. Plus, this "I'll call you before 9:30" business forces people to wake up and get ready to leave for work before finding out. Bad form all around.

 

How many of you are in management? Its not always what you want to do, but what you have to do.

 

Stop thinking with your hearts and think with the bottom line in mind.

 

Cold hearted? Yes, but it is what it is?

 

Until going back to school, I was in management and this is a terrible way to announce layoffs.  I did some research on firing/layoff techniques for a term paper about reducing workplace violence.  Doing it early in the workweek gives people "surprise" free time during their normal business hours.  This can encourage someone to stop by and cause trouble.  Do it in such a way that it disrupts their rhythm as little as possible.

Mayor, that was a good "subject" for the title of that email.

 

LOL

 

CLEAN HOUSE PLAIN DEALER

How many of you are in management? Its not always what you want to do, but what you have to do.

 

Stop thinking with your hearts and think with the bottom line in mind.

 

Cold hearted? Yes, but it is what it is?

 

I agree to an extent. It is business. Business is business. But .. these are people's lives at stake here. This isn't just piddly news. It's just before the holidays, and people will be freaking out about that .. how are they going to buy gifts for their kids, etc? At the end of the day, kids don't need presents, but I'm sure these are worries.

 

My heart goes out to these people getting laid off. And if the PD, or any company, doesn't lay them off as genially as possible, then they aren't worth lining a birdcage with their publication.

Bottom line nothing.  They are being fired, there is a humane and inhumane way to do it.  Oh just wait around at home and we'll tell you whether or not to come in, this way I don't have to look you in the eye and do it.  It's not that they are being fired, that is the bottom line, but the way they are going about it that is so PD'esque.

Oh just wait around at home and we'll tell you whether or not to come in, this way I don't have to look you in the eye and do it.

 

"If you receive a phone call, we will set up a time for you to come in to meet with Human Resources, fill out paperwork and pick up your personal belongings."

 

I've actually seen it done way worse.  I think it's more humane to tell them at home and let them gather themselves before coming in and being around their coworkers, than just to be sitting at your desk and get the call, that says come to the HR directors office.  That's when you see people sobbing and crying all over the office.  I actually think this is a pretty respectful way to do it.

I've actually seen it done way worse. I think it's more humane to tell them at home and let them gather themselves before coming in and being around their coworkers, than just to be sitting at your desk and get the call, that says come to the HR directors office. That's when you see people sobbing and crying all over the office. I actually think this is a pretty respectful way to do it.

 

I agree. I also think it's more private, depending on the details of how it's handled.

 

It is what it is, at the end of the day. It's too bad it has to happen. The PD's not the only publication, or COMPANY, for that matter, having to make major cuts right now.

I've actually seen it done way worse.  I think it's more humane to tell them at home and let them gather themselves before coming in and being around their coworkers, than just to be sitting at your desk and get the call, that says come to the HR directors office.  That's when you see people sobbing and crying all over the office.  I actually think this is a pretty respectful way to do it.

 

I've seen scandals.  When I worked at SOHIO, an entire group, from the nutrition division, to a mandatory lunch at Morton's.  71 people got fired while they were at lunch.

 

HR deactivated their badges, email, etc. while at lunch.  During lunch the manager and VP of that department left early and when people returned to the build, your access badge gives off a different signal if it's not properly registered.  So when they asked why there badges didn't work, they were directed to the conference rooms on the 5/6 floors (the rooms that look out over Euclid above the bank and starbucks) and fired them all in one swope.

 

In the conference rooms, they were each given ONE box and escorted one by one to their work location, to collect any personal items that they could fit into that box.

 

It was ugly....

^wow, I wonder if this guy is trying to get a job at the PD, he seems to have the bashing the home city routine down pat.

 

By writing this about the PD? ....

 

Talk about intellectual malpractice.

 

The Plain Dealer story might go down in history as the most uninformed look at Pittsburgh ever written.

 

....Not likely.

My administrator found out she was getting canned when she was scheduled for a meeting with corporate, went to e-mail her secretary that she would be leaving early, and couldn't access her e-mail.  Secretary told her her name had been deleted from the system somehow - guess there's no surprise what your end of the day meeting agenda entails.  For once, the IT nerds did something ahead of schedule instead of late.

 

When we lay off, it's always at the end of the day, and security/police will be present to escort the employee off the property.  So if there's a random security person hanging outside the conference room, that's probably not a good sign either.

This is a great editorial by Major Jackson...I wish he would talk like this more in the media, etc.  Too many people feel that he is apathetic...which I don't really beleieve to be true.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/othercolumns/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1228210246218530.xml&coll=2

 

Cleveland will prove its detractors wrong - Mayor Frank Jackson

Tuesday, December 02, 2008 Frank Jackson

At this time of year, people typically wax poetic on the speedy passage of time and look forward to the next year with anticipation and the notion that somehow next year will bring the success and fulfillment for which we are looking. This year is different: 2008 has brought about a sense of uncertainty and economic challenges that have not been seen in generations. People are nostalgic for the good old days because the times we live in have changed so much.

 

What has not changed, however, is my ability to believe in the potential of the city of Cleveland to not only survive this latest economic challenge, but emerge from these uncertain times as a place reinvented, with a downtown that is alive 24 hours a day and with neighborhoods that are the envy of any city in the United States. I believe this because Cleveland has the natural and cultural assets that make it the envy of the region.

 

Many local politicians and civic leaders praise the assets of Cleveland and expound upon Cleveland's potential. I am one of those politicians. I have worked for the last three years to strengthen Cleveland's assets and position the city for the future. One of my biggest challenges in accomplishing this has been the pervasively negative attitude of this region. You see it splashed across newspaper headlines and at the top of news broadcasts. You hear it in the voices of those who talk of Cleveland only in terms of the burning river, the foreclosure crisis and violence in the city.

 

Cleveland's biggest impediment to achieving civic greatness is the pessimistic, unenthusiastic mindset of many within our region, particularly those with the ability to express their opinions to mass audiences. Consider recent local headlines: "Cleveland is falling apart - Who will pick up the pieces?" and "Pittsburgh's power over Cleveland." If you were a visiting businessperson or a local developer, would those headlines and accompanying articles give you cause to invest in Cleveland? By contrast, the media outside of Cleveland often report a different view of our city. A Detroit Free Press editorial on city programs that target economic development in September said, "Cleveland shows other cities how." In October, Business Week highlighted Cleveland's early prediction of the impact that predatory lending would have on the city and that, despite legal setbacks, the city is still fighting the foreclosure crisis.

 

 

Many see city's positives

 

The news is not the only source of the negative attitude. This image of Cleveland persists because many, but not all, business leaders and opinion makers echo the sentiment. The negative comments about the city can be heard at social events, receptions, business meetings and in boardrooms. I have often said that, if diagnosed by a psychiatrist, this behavior would demonstrate low self-esteem and that it would be termed clinically depressed.

 

However, I rarely see this depression in residents at my community meetings. At those neighborhood meetings, I hear a sense of pride, and people are in effect saying: "This is my city. This is my neighborhood and I am proud to live here." People at these meetings will ask questions about city services, express concern about public safety and sometimes criticize my decisions. But I cannot recall a time when a resident stood up to say that Cleveland is a dying city and there is nothing left to do but give up.

 

Nor do I often hear the negativity from visitors. A Costa Rican businessman recently praised the depth of the public-private partnership that he witnessed in Cleveland on his recent trade mission here. I recently received an e-mail from a Bostonian who said: "We were amazed at how friendly the people of Cleveland were. I told my family I had to let you know of how much we appreciated the hospitality of Cleveland's people. We will talk of this and recommend to visit your lovely city." These are just two examples of the positive feedback I receive.

 

 

Meeting challenges

 

In short, Clevelanders, visitors and transplants alike think that we have a lot to offer. This is not to say that Cleveland and the region are not facing significant challenges. The reality is that Cleveland has advantages and disadvantages, and that we have seen both significant success and loss. However, I am undaunted by the multitude of challenges that lie before me as mayor of Cleveland. In fact, I believe that challenges often give us the greatest opportunities.

 

The opportunities before us now are substantial. In a time when municipalities and states across the country are facing large budget deficits, laying off employees and cutting services, Cleveland has a balanced 2008 budget and is proposing a balanced budget for 2009 without layoffs or service cuts. When cities like Detroit are scrambling to hold on to their traditional economic bases of auto manufacturing, Cleveland is working to attract investment in new economies, like advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, which is why I'm in Germany this week on a trade mission. While cities like Chicago are seeing increases in violent crime, Cleveland's violent crime has declined by 14 percent over the last two years.

 

So, as mayor of this city, I do not want Cleveland to be like Chicago or Pittsburgh or any other city. I want Cleveland to be Cleveland. Cleveland has heart. Cleveland is tenacious. Cleveland is reinventing itself into something greater than it has been because I will not allow the negativity of others to cloud my judgment or guide my decisions. Cleveland is a great city with great opportunities and I look forward to everyone in this community working for the future of Cleveland, not against it.

 

Jackson is mayor of Cleveland.

 

I was just going to post this.  I'll give Mayor Jackson credit for being blunt about the city's ridiculous self hating attitude - his point about the all too often negative comments at receptions and business meetings certainly rings true at functions I've been to the last few months or so.  And I've mentioned this on these boards but I'll say it again - Mayor Jackson is trying to attach Cleveland to the international community (Israel, France, Costa Rica, and now GERMANY!) and this is certainly an excellent approach to bettering our city.

 

 

And MyTwoCents: THIS is the kind of thing I've been clamoring for Mayor Jackson to do - to have a statement (though I would have preferred press conference) to the media about the city, its negatives and positives, and what happens next.

 

it's about f-ing time.

I've been gradually more impressed with Jackson.  I really liked the neighborhood-by-neighborhood strategy report he put out early in his term.  He does need to speak up more, like he did here.

I was just going to post this.  I'll give Mayor Jackson credit for being blunt about the city's ridiculous self hating attitude - his point about the all too often negative comments at receptions and business meetings certainly rings true at functions I've been to the last few months or so.  And I've mentioned this on these boards but I'll say it again - Mayor Jackson is trying to attach Cleveland to the international community (Israel, France, Costa Rica, and now GERMANY!) and this is certainly an excellent approach to bettering our city.

 

 

And MyTwoCents: THIS is the kind of thing I've been clamoring for Mayor Jackson to do - to have a statement (though I would have preferred press conference) to the media about the city, its negatives and positives, and what happens next.

 

 

Hey hey hey..... I agree.

 

However, Kids, the Mayor can only do so much, what are each of you doing to strengthen and improve your neighborhood?

 

Yes I would like to see more press conferences, but its a double edged sword.  To me when you the press is the enemy you can't have a press conference and expect them to "deliver" your message.

 

I sense the Mayor does not trust the PD or local news media.

Wow. That was seriously one of the best things I've heard from a city leader in a long time.

 

This type of thing needs to continue to inspire people to do the same. As a city leader, I think he's chosen to not spew a lot of rhetoric, but to actually focus on the work and DOING. While he could probably up his public persona a bit, because he IS a PUBLIC official, I think he's a great mayor.

The skeptic in me wonders who really wrote that story.  I'd like to hear him talk like this in a live press conference or at least an interview instead of in print.  But that doesn't detract from the message, which is a great one.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

 

I'm glad that our mayor gets it.  I've said the same thing about our news media over and over again, and it's good that at least some of our politicians get it.

Some people are simply better at communicating through a written words rather than a spoken ones. I suspect Mayor Jackson is one of those people. I agree with the sentiment that he should communicate more in general, by whatever medium.

Glad to see a response to all the negativity. Maybe the Pittsburgh article was the last straw.

The skeptic in me wonders who really wrote that story. I'd like to hear him talk like this in a live press conference or at least an interview instead of in print. But that doesn't detract from the message, which is a great one.

 

I had to wonder the same thing.  Certainly at this point any good adviser would have been pushing for such a statement, even if done from behind closed doors (apparently his style).  Either way, it is very good to see that he has come out of "hiding" to show "something", when it is undoubtedly needed the most, given the current gloomy feeling in Cleveland.

 

I had to agree with previous posters about his troubling absence.  As MTS would say "how do you know what he is not doing anything", well we don't (which is part of the problem), and he may very well be a good mayor, but a great mayor is going to do what he can to make the people of his city know that he is fighting for them, not just for political reasons, but for the Psyche of the city and its people.   

 

Either way a well written statement and nice to see!

Has anyone seen a list of the unfortunate folks at the PD this morning who were laid off? 

Ironically there are no comments allowed.

 

MODS - I wonder if this portion of the discussion should go in the Mayor:  Frank Jackson discussion thread?

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6137.0.html

 

 

Wow, that swelled up some serious civic pride there.  It's great to see this, I wonder if there is any way of getting this pushed to more of a front page type of thing.  Was this in the actual hardcopy of the paper or just online?

Wow, that swelled up some serious civic pride there.  It's great to see this, I wonder if there is any way of getting this pushed to more of a front page type of thing. Was this in the actual hardcopy of the paper or just online?

 

 

Notice earlier I stated that City Hall doesn't trust the PD.

 

City Hall had a bad relationship with the media.  The media - especially the Plain Dealer -  is so "doom and gloom" and does not do a good job promoting the area.

 

This should have been a front page editorial and on Cleveland.bomb.

 

To me, that speaks volumes.

 

Wow, that swelled up some serious civic pride there.  It's great to see this, I wonder if there is any way of getting this pushed to more of a front page type of thing.  Was this in the actual hardcopy of the paper or just online?

 

Exactly!  further shows the importance of why it is necessary to be somewhat vocal/visual in regard to the state of things. 

Wow, that swelled up some serious civic pride there.  It's great to see this, I wonder if there is any way of getting this pushed to more of a front page type of thing. Was this in the actual hardcopy of the paper or just online?

 

Notice earlier I stated that City Hall doesn't trust the PD.

 

City Hall had a bad relationship with the media.  The media - especially the Plain Dealer -  is so "doom and gloom" and does not do a good job promoting the area.

 

This should have been a front page editorial and on Cleveland.bomb.

 

To me, that speaks volumes.

 

 

Oh it's on cleveland.bomb, you would just need a PHD (or the link provided above) to find it.  It is buried deep in the matrix to keep out of the brains of the many lemmings checking that site.

 

 

By the way... I just confirmed it is in todays print edition.  But that doesn't stop the f*cktards that run cleveland.com from hiding it from ever possibly being found by someone perusing their site.  Do these people really wonder why they are hated so much?  Someone finally tries to send out a good positive message, and the powers that be do everything they can to bury it.  :whip: