No Fun in the Sun: 'Palm Beach Post' to (Finally) Swing Axe Monday

By: E&P Staff The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post will begin laying off some three dozen employees beginning Monday.

In a memo to employees, Publisher Doug Franklin said the 264 employees who accepted voluntary buyout offers, and whose last day was Tuesday, were not enough to meet the paper's workforce reduction goal -- previously announced as about 300.

"The involuntary portion of our reduction in force will be much smaller than anticipated because of the great response to our VSP (Voluntary Separation Program)," Franklin wrote. "We will handle the Involuntary Separation Program as fairly as possible, making sure that employees are treated with respect. The decisions will be based on criteria established by department leadership, including required skills, past performance and organizational needs."

Separately, Franklin announced Thursday the retirements of four senior executives at Palm Beach, including the paper's vice presidents of marketing and operations.

The positions will not be replaced after the executives leave on Oct. 1, Franklin said.

Both memos were first reported by Bob Norman in his New Times blog "The Daily Pulp."

Leaving are Larry Siedlik, vice president and treasurer; Gale Howden, vice president marketing and community relations; Bob Balfe, vice president of operations; and Joyce Sullivan, who is general manager of the sibling Pennysaver shopper and La Palma Spanish-language weekly.

Franklin also announced the following changes:

"Carol Barrett, Controller, will assume the role of Director of Finance and have an expanded role helping us improve our financial performance and sharing of information. Carol will report directly to me.

"Laura Cunningham, Marketing Services Director will assume an expanded role as Marketing Director responsible for marketing, community relations, research and NIE (Newspaper In Education). Laura will be reporting to Chuck Gerardi, our Exec. VP and General Manager.

"Janice Griggs-Bates, Production Director, will expand her responsibilities to include all our production and building services operations. Production will continue to report to Chuck Gerardi."