AAEC Prez Criticizes Layoff of 'Post-Gazette' Cartoonist Tim Menees

By: Dave Astor Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) President Clay Bennett expressed dismay that cost-cutting has eliminated the job of yet another cartoonist -- Tim Menees of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"I understand that the Post-Gazette had two cartoonists," said Bennett, referring to the duo of Menees and Rob Rogers. "But that looks like a strength to me -- a great one-two punch. I guess it looks different through the eyes of an accountant."

Bennett added: "Tim always put Pittsburgh issues on the top of his list of cartooning subjects. And he's one of the most visually unique cartoonists out there."

The AAEC president told E&P Monday that he finds Menees' layoff particularly painful because he worked with him at the Post-Gazette 25 years ago.

"I was a staff artist there," recalled Bennett, now a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist for The Christian Science Monitor. "Tim took me under his wing and taught me a lot about cartooning. He's been a great colleague and friend. I take this very personally."

Menees could not be reached for comment Monday.