GateHouse has special Christmas present for employees: layoffs

More reporters have been axed from the Journal Star:

Publisher Ken Mauser said, “The layoffs were made in an effort to adapt to the changing nature of the newspaper business.” […]

“Like many companies operating in today’s business environment, change will be inevitable and necessary to position our business for the future,” Mauser said.

Oops, that was Mauser’s quote from January 22, 2009. I meant to say:

We are equally sure that you recognize the value of the news and information, entertainment and many saving values found in the Journal Star everyday.

Oh, no. That’s not right either. That’s from the letter where they raised their rates in August 2008. They raised them again in October 2009.

Here it is:

The Journal Star on Friday announced the reduction of its staffing level by 11 positions. […] The reductions were necessitated to keep the Journal Star’s cost structure in line with the current economic environment of the newspaper industry which is affected by the general economic conditions across the nation, according to Publisher Ken Mauser.

Billy Dennis provides us with the names of three of the employees who got pink slips: Sports editor Bill Liesse, Statehouse bureau reporter Adriana Colindres, and State editor Lisa Coon.

Right before Christmas. Right after they raised the subscription rates twice in a little over a year. Just eleven months after the last round of layoffs.

The value of the Journal Star keeps going down, down, down. What a shame for readers. Worse, what a shame for those laid off and their families.