Glens Falls Post-Star lays off 11

Here's hoping that their award-winning sports department was missed by the ax.

http://www.poststar.com/articles/2009/03/24/news/local/doc49c959b6a0328713125365.txt

Staff report

GLENS FALLS -- The Post-Star today laid off 11 employees from its editorial, advertising and production departments.

Post-Star Publisher Rick Emanuel cited economic conditions as the reason for the layoffs, which included 10 full-time employees and one part-time employee.

Emanuel announced the job cuts to employees at a late afternoon meeting.

The layoffs, which account for 7.5 percent of the paper’s total work force, reduced the payroll from 147 full-time and part-time employees to 136 employees.

"Regretfully, we had to let some of our colleagues go today," Emanuel said in a prepared statement. "The economic conditions have steadily declined over the past few months and this has left us with no other choice than to make these necessary cuts. The remainder of The Post-Star team will work together to make our way out of the roughest business climate we’ve ever encountered.

"We hope that the tourist season, along with the glimmer of hope that’s being seen in the stock market, will speed the recovery process. If things should turn around in the near future, we will consider all employees that we’ve let go for potential openings."

The Post-Star, Emanuel said, remains a "strong economic engine" that has a $5.5 million annual payroll and donates more than a quarter of a million dollars to the nonprofit community.

"We are struggling like most businesses throughout the country but will remain as the leading news and information provider in the region. Our commitment to the betterment of the community will continue, no matter the economic forecast. "

All laid-off workers were offered severance agreements based on years of service, Emanuel said.

In early December, The Post-Star laid off four full-time employees and cited economic factors as the reason.

The Post-Star is owned by Lee Enterprises Inc.

 

Is it me, or does this guy sound like less of a jerk than the other management types who explain things?

 

Oh shit. I know some terrific people up there... Prayers for all of you.

 

Anyone in sports affected?

 

I really loved reading this paper during a week at Lake Placid about five years ago. There were some nice small and midsize reading options (Albany, Schenectady, Burlington, Watertown were all pretty good for their size), but Glens Falls was my fave. It had the look and substance of a paper two or three times its size.

 

Love the Post Star. Love the publisher (was a fan when he was at his last place). Love the editor (missed a few chances to work with him). Love the sports editor.

The Post-Star will be fine. They've had cuts before, even in sports. They'll rise above and still be the best paper for their size in the northeast.

But yeah, sucks for those affected.