Losing to Mary
Back in 2003, I started looking to leave the High Point Enterprise, where I was editorial page editor, and applied for an editorial writing position at the Charlotte Observer.
I didn't get it. Mary Schulken did. She was editorial page editor at the Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector.
Just as well. A few months later, in April 2004, Allen Johnson hired me over here. It's been a great gig.
Since then, if I might brag just a bit, I've won two awards for editorial writing in the annual N.C. Press Association contests.
Second place both times.
Both times, the first-place winner was Mary Schulken.
This isn't going where you think.
I've met Mary a number of times, and I like and respect her. She's an outstanding journalist who's earned all the awards and recognition she's gained.
So I was shocked and saddened to find out earlier today that Mary's lost her job with the Charlotte Observer.
More downsizing in an industry going through its toughest times ever.
Maybe we'll stop the slide when the economy rebounds. But it's going to be all the harder after newspapers have lost many of their most talented and dedicated professionals, like Mary Schulken.
If I ever win first place in the editorial writing contest, it sure won't mean as much.
Here's Mary's column today.
Comments (1)
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Please Saul listen! If Allen goes and Doug goes then all paying thinking readers go with them! Advertise we can't sell papers. My business model is forcused on advertising. Down with the readers that read advertising printed in newspapers and dump readers. Close up shop. I have clippings in an ancient cookbook from the Boston Globe..how did we get into this mess?
Posted on April 10, 2009 3:19 PM