Media: Galesburg publisher calls it quits (UPDATED: Departures soon at the PJS?)

November 3, 2007
By Billy Dennis

Via the Galesburg Register-Mail:

Don Cooper, publisher of The Register-Mail since July 2, 1990, surprised newspaper staffers today by announcing his resignation, effective at the end of this month.

Cooper told department managers of his decision, then told the rest of the staff during an 8:30 a.m. meeting in the newspaper’s newsroom.

In a brief statement, Cooper said, “It has been a privilege for me to be part of this newspaper and to be associated with a wonderful group of professionals for more than 17 years. The next publisher of The Register-Mail will be lucky to work with people like you.”

He’s “exploring other opportunities.”

The plucky newspaper is coming off one of its best years in terms of winning newspaper journalism contests. What’s changed? Well, they got bought out by GateHouse Media for one. Come to your own conclusions.

UPDATE: A commenter using the handle “Deep Throat” says the following:

Guess what, he’s not the only one.  2 very high up people at the PJS also  took the opportunity to part ways.  This just hasn’t been reported yet.

The opportunity happened to come by an offer by former PJ Star owner Copley.

Tags: , ,

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

5 Responses to “ Media: Galesburg publisher calls it quits (UPDATED: Departures soon at the PJS?) ”

  1. PeoriaIlliniosan on November 3, 2007 at 6:00 pm

    PFC Gomer Pyle: “surprise, surprise, surprise!”

  2. Deep Throat on November 3, 2007 at 8:23 pm

    Guess what, he’s not the only one. 2 very high up people at the PJS also took the opportunity to part ways. This just hasn’t been reported yet.

    The opportunity happened to come by an offer by former PJ Start owner Copley-

  3. AnotherExJSer on November 3, 2007 at 8:57 pm

    Well, yeah, the publisher retired at the end of 2006. And the ad director left earlier this year. I haven’t heard of any recent top management departures — not that I would be surprised.

  4. Guffawing Gaffer on November 3, 2007 at 9:30 pm

    The buliding manager left as well. All this was reported in the paper months ago.

  5. AnotherExJSer on November 4, 2007 at 2:49 am

    Oh, yes, the building manager. I don’t think many employees cried themselves to sleep over that departure. I can think of a couple of managers who might have hosted celebratory parties.

    Todd Akers, his successor, is a heck of a nice guy.