I have been subscribing since about '95.

As the paper keeps becoming more and more anemic it makes me question why I subscribe more and more.

No! No! No! No! This cannot be happening. Tears and frustration for my former colleagues. What a shame.

And, Bill, I urge you to take the opposite response. There is no democracy without a free press.

Good luck to all of you at the S-R.

Sayonara, Steve Smith. This should put an end to some of the nonsense that's been taking place with these age-based committees.

Also, it bears repeating: Saying newsroom veterans were free to come in and suggest changes is totally different from forming an age-based committee to present changes. Anyone who does not grasp that concept probably has no business managing a newsroom.

Smith had been off track for at least a few months. It was time for him to go. Good riddance.

I know that a number of factors play into decisions like this. It is unfortunate to see these same decisions being made by local dailies throughout the state and region.
However, this paper must find a way to remain relevant, which will lead to success. I had been a faithful subscriber for many years until recently. I have found that through the internet and news aggregators, I am able to get all the local, national, and world news I can take in. I still get the S-R's news, just in a different way that doesn't require me to pay for it. I know there must be a good business model for traditional newspaper companies to follow to transition into the 21st century. I hope the Spokesman can figure it out before we are down to a single reporter and a single editor.

During a time that's going to throw so many people and families into a financial panic during such an economy, it's really disgusting to see people like Wenalway revel in it. Even if the resignation is voluntary, it's no reason to celebrate it.

As a long-time subscriber, even when I lived hundreds of miles out of the area, I feel like I am on the death watch of a dear friend.

Reading the article this morning (which I didn't even see until I had read the rest of the paper and was stacking it up to place in the bin - why was it tucked away in the corner? It would have been a massive headline if it were Avista or one of the health orgs), my heart felt heavy. I know some of the newsroom staff personally and feel like I know the others through their great work. They are a huge asset to Spokane and I hate to think that they may have to leave for other opportunities.

Am I wrong to believe that the next step may be a sale to Gannett or other media holding company? That would be a sad day indeed for Spokane.

I'm so sorry to hear this is happening to my incredible former co-workers. It hurts to see this done to such a fine group of journalists.

Lacey Krause
Austin, TX

So sad to read this. Steve Smith and the rest of you transparence pioneers have been an inspiration to newsrooms in many parts of the world.
Best wishes
Torbjoern von Krogh, Sweden

So sorry to hear this news. I am thinking about you all.

We were commenting this past week that the paper is about half of what it was 2 years ago but still charges the same. Sort of like shrinking cereal boxes and ice cream containers - the price stays the same but we get less.

After this round of additional cutbacks, we are likely to cancel our long time subscription. There is so little left, why bother to buy it now?

I feel sorry for the staff and wish them well in their future endeavors.

"During a time that's going to throw so many people and families into a financial panic during such an economy, it's really disgusting to see people like Wenalway revel in it."

Eh. The people who were making bad decisions should have been cut years ago.

Bad decision = age-based committees.

Bad decision = should have been cut.

Age-based committee = should have been cut.

It's all very simple when you do the math.

Now, who wants cake and ice cream?

I am so sorry to hear this. You are all on my mind.

This is a terrible thing to happen right now. Jobs for journalists are always scarce, and they pay such low salaries it's a wonder talented people are willing to do it - but it's a calling.

Many reporters end up taking jobs in public relations, which most are loath to do, because there are real salaries there. It's a matter of putting food on the table.

As the editor of a "new media" online-only publication it pains me to see newspapers dying. Online news sources should not be only competitors - competition fuels better reporting- but also compatriots in providing better stories in this age of Too Much Information. I think a mix of all kinds of reporting is the way to preserve free speech and the ability to do investigations.

This is very sad and I wish only the best to all the S-R staff.

I can't believe this happened so soon after the last layoffs.

I'm so sorry, guys.

Steve,
By resigning, you've acted honorably and fulfilled your pledge to do so when you felt the cuts were too deep or unwarranted. You have my respect for that. Good luck.

The continual dwindling of the nations newspapers makes me wonder when news websites and bloggers will take up the task of actually paying for and maintaining the newsrooms they parasitize off of? Will they, or will it just be a large pile of press releases in the morning that we sift through?