Guild Complains; Editor Resigns p. 19

By: M.L. Stein

Guild Complains; Editor Resigns p. 19

Forced departure of Bakersfield Californian executive
comes after complaint by Newspaper Guild local president
ROBERT BENTLEY, EXECUTIVE editor of the Bakersfield Californian, where he had worked 13 years, was forced to resign after a complaint to management by a Newspaper Guild official.
Tom Maurer, president of the Guild local, told E&P that the union had asked the paper "to look into concerns we had about Bentley's effectiveness, his decision-making manner and the way he dealt with employees."
Maurer declined to discuss specifics of the Guild's concerns.
Bentley said he did not know what influence, if any, the Guild's complaint had in his leaving.
The announcement of his resignation was made by Virginia F. Moorhouse, publisher and chairman of the Californian, and president and chief executive Michael J. Fisch.
Bentley said he and Fisch had a "difference in management goals and management style but I did not think they were irreconcilable. This came out of the blue."
Bentley said he considered his relationship with his staff normal and was unaware of any hostility.
Fisch, through an aide, declined to comment. Moorhouse was unavailable for comment.
Bentley came to the Californian from the Atlanta Journal, where he had been assistant managing editor.