Quincy Newspapers Shake-Up Ousts N.J. Editor

By: Joe Strupp Quincy Newspapers Inc., the Illinois-based company that owns two dailies and 13 television stations, is reorganizing management at its newspapers, a move that will force one editor out the door.

The changes affect the Quincy (Ill.) Herald-Whig and the New Jersey Herald of Newton, N.J., according to Bruce Tomlinson, general manager of the New Jersey paper.

"It is something of a sign of the times," said Tomlinson, who will give up his general manager role and become editor of his paper. "The economy is a driver in some changes being made. I got into this business in [the] news [department] and have continued to keep a foot in that."

Tomlinson had spent several years at the Herald-Whig in various newsroom positions before moving to New Jersey as general manager in 2003.

Tomlinson's move to editor means his current editor, Chris Frear, will be let go. Frear, 45, confirmed his last day is Friday. "The same economics that are affecting newspapers across the country are affecting us," he said, declining further comment. "I believe there is still a talented newsroom here."

Located in the northwest corner of New Jersey, the Herald is one of the state's smaller dailies with a 13,000 circulation weekdays and 18,000 on Sunday.

The reorganization also affects the Quincy daily paper, which will lose general manager Don Cooper to Newton, where he becomes general manager there. He will be replaced in Quincy by current Executive Editor Mike Hilfrink.