Jerry Klein is half the columnist he used to be
A source who asked not to be identified says that Jerry Klein’s weekly column has been cut to twice a month. Either the decision was made by corporate overlords at GateHouse Media, or the local bosses, in anticipation of budget cuts from GateHouse, decided to trim some dollars by cutting him back. Whether or not the subject matter of his columns were your cup of tea, it’s a fact that Klein remains one of the most respected journalists to ever come out of the Peoria Journal Star. I grew up reading his movie reviews and arts coverage.
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2 years, 8 months ago on Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 at 2:27 pm and is filed under Misc.
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Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
That sucks. Jerry’s knowledge of Peoria, Peoria history, and the arts are invaluable. His enthusiasm for the local community is irreplacable.
Klein: as far as I am concerned, he is a source of embarrassment.
I don’t mind that he is a conservative, but frankly I’d like him to be replaced by someone who isn’t so hopelessly shallow.
Compared to him, even Vonster is an intellectual.
May be true, but I’m guessing that most folks won’t notice the reduction in frequency. Haven’t been that impressed with the columns over the last couple of years. But if a columnist had to be cut, I’d have voted for Pam Adams or Phil Luciano before Klein’s….in fact, I’ve move to have them eliminated before Klein’s were reduced.
I have mixed emotions about Jerry. He occasionally has a brilliant column, but a lot of his stuff is recycled from earlier pieces. Plus, I definitely don’t think he appeals to younger readers, whom he wants to “get off my lawn.”
He had a long run as an employee and a pretty long one as a free-lancer since retiring years ago. As he is a free-lancer, paid by the column, it’s very easy to save some pocket change by cutting him back or eliminating him.
Ditto the previous commenter. You get a good one every once in a while. Cutting his column in half might make for some better quality product.Still, it sucks for anyone to lose half a job.
"get off my lawn" what a great line. I may use that in the future.
Mr. Klein has to be 80 and for that reason alone, the work he does is amazing. He's a dyed in the wool East Bluff resident and though since moved to Germantown Hills, and somewhat opinionated, he often says things that most of us have on the tips of our tongues. I hope the cut back is at his wish and not those of the carpet baggers who purchased the Journal Star.
[...] couple of comments Peoria Pundit laments that a local columnist is down to every other week: A source who asked not to be identified says that Jerry Klein’s weekly column has been cut to [...]
Ollie nailed it!