I don't know if I've spoken to anyone who's a regular here (other than JenniferS) in the past week, but my cell phone has been ringing off the hook with people who have called asking me if: 1) If I'm still at the Cleveland Post; and 2) if not, why? I don't want to get into too much detail about that, except to say that I left the paper, not exactly of my choosing, last Friday. I finished designing a couple of pages for the Raleigh South thing and then was told by the publisher that I "didn't fit into their plans" for the future. In a way, that's a relief for me, because I sure didn't like being associated with some of the "plans" that were being implemented, such as the idea of running multiple papers with only one full-time employee, special sections of highly limited interest, running the Garner and Cleveland papers out of a town 16 miles away from either, and dropping a popular columnist in Jennifer. (That wasn't my decision; I was told to drop her even though she's a two-time NCPA award winner. Come to think of it, two-thirds of what's happened since June wasn't the decision I'd have made on my own...) They didn't bother to remove my name as editor on the website until I told them to on Wednesday. I was catching my breath and trying to figure out what my own future plans should be when people started getting their papers and contacting me. If anyone who called or emailed me reads this site, thanks for all the kind comments. I think this is the first time I've posted here in about a year; luckily I remembered my login information. The years kind of blur by, anyway; I'd been with the Cleveland Post in some capacity for close to 10 years, and as its editor since July of 1999. I never really got to do the Post the way I wanted to after 2000, when budget cuts caused the parent company to also assign me another paper, first in Fuquay and later the Garner News. In spite of that, I always enjoyed doing the Post, and it was always my favorite of the two papers because it had so much community support. It was always nice to attend the Strawberry Festival and hear people say they enjoyed the paper. It would be easy for me to be bitter and say people shouldn't support the Cleveland Post, but I think the community deserves a paper of its own, and I was proud to deliver it to the Cleveland community for eight wonderful years. I hope Cleveland (or Cleveland School, Cleveland Hills, Cleveland Springs or whatever it ultimately becomes known as, but that's a different story) always has its own newspaper, reflecting its status as a community all its own. Perhaps I'll be fortunate enough to come back to Cleveland in some capacity in the future; heck, I wouldn't even mind living there someday. Either way, thanks to everyone who supported me and the Cleveland Post during my time there. I could say a lot of things about my former employers, but I can't say anything bad about the Cleveland community. John Cate Editor, Cleveland Post (7/15/99-9/30/07)
John, You know I support you. People can say what they want about the paper, but anyone who could run two papers, virtually alone, has my respect. I miss my little piece of print, but I guess things happen for a reason, and I hope to move onto bigger and better things soon.
I can say that the only reason I read it was for Jennifer's column, and now that she is gone, it goes straight in the trash, don't even open it. true story. :-D
If nothing else, how about an online newspaper? (Unless it conflicts with 4042, of course.) Web development expertise, at your disposal.
When we first moved here, I liked The Cleveland Post. It was nice so have something directed towards our area. Lately though it seems that our area has expanded to include Wake County. I may have a Wake county zip but the last time I checked, I'm still in Joco. I'm sorry that both you and Jen are gone. I hope that something better comes around to both of you. We haven't been paying much attention to the post lately and this week it wasn't even delivered. Maybe that's part of their changes as well.
John, I am going to miss you analysis and predictions on Trojan football. I always thought you were a heck of a sports reporter and I could tell that was your true love.
Touchy touchy, I always saw West Johnston sports in the Cleveland News. I was actually referring to the Garner News.
Thank you very much. I actually got my start doing sports, for the Rocky Mount paper way back in 1993. I didn't become an editor until I took over the Post in '99, although I had done some general assignment reporting before then. I wish I still had an outlet to offer that analysis, and if someone comes along and were to ask me to do it, I would. Heck, if someone wants to start another Cleveland paper, I'd be interested in that too. As for the gentleman who mentioned that we often ran Garner sports in the Post, it was in large part because there were times that I didn't have South or West Johnston coverage available to me. I had two excellent correspondents at different times (Andy Britt and Don Dillingham), but it never seemed like corporate wanted to pay them. A few times, I thought it was going to take an act of Congress to get their invoices paid. This year, I was able to focus a little more on West, which was fun because they're having their best season ever.
Personally, I thought the Cleveland Post wasn't anything more than space in my trash can. It wasn't even worth saving to wash windows with. If the intent of the paper is to improve, it's not hard to understand why they have been getting rid of everyone. Sorry you lost your job, but obviously to me you wern't all that good at it .
By the way, what's up with the Cleveland Post anyway. I've never been able to get them to publish anything for me. I've tried several times to get them to run something when our church had activities open to the community. I would call/fax my information, etc - NEVER had any luck. Finally just gave up on even trying!
I always send them e-mail about church events, and they have been very good about publishing my information. Until this last time, apparently the e-mail address changed and I didn't realize it, so my e-mail bounced.
I moved to this area 16 years ago. Can't remember when The Post came about but I always remember looking forward to each issue for local info. With the new format it's strickly bird cage material. It lost that "I'm connected" feature. Now it's more of an "I'm the red headed step child" feeling I get when I open it. I'm sure the demographics of Apex and Cary are much more appealing to advertising and I know they have to make a buck, but, loosing that small town feeling will loose readers in this area. And most of all, like others in here, I miss Jen's articles!!!:-( :-(
