Why I created this site
One hundred and twenty people. That's a lot of people to say goodbye to all at once. On June 16, 2008, we were informed that our newspaper, and all the others owned by the McClatchy Company, would be laying off employees, 10 percent of the total company workforce in all. At the Star, that totalled about 120 people from every division.
No sooner did that announcement come out than we began hearing of colleagues who had gotten their severance envelopes. The ax fell quickly.
I want this site to be a place for them to say goodbye, and for the rest of us to say goodbye to them. We are losing a lot of good writers, editors and behind-the-scenes folk and ideally, I'd like each of them to receive a proper sendoff.
Since there is no plan to publish the names of everyone who lost their jobs in the paper, I would also like this site to be a place where we keep track of those names. If you are a Kansas City Star employee who was laid off on June 16, 2008, please email me and I will post your name on our Names page. If you would like to say goodbye to readers, I encourage you to register an account and post a story. See the Help page if you need assistance, or email me.
If you are a Kansas City Star employee and would like to pay tribute to a departing colleague, you may register and post a story. (You may want to consult with your departing colleague first to make sure it's OK.)
If you're a reader, you, too, can register for an account and post a story. Just tell us who you are and please don't register under a nickname or alias.
If you are uncomfortable about posting a farewell but feel it should be done, please email me so we can discuss it.
Of course, anyone may comment on an existing farewell. Click Help if you need more guidance, or feel free to email me.
Let's remind our friends that it isn't their fault they got laid off, that we appreciate them and that we hope this is only a temporary setback for them and an opportunity to make a fresh start in an industry that's not turned into the doormat of Wall Street.
--Aaron Barnhart
P.S. "Farewell, Goodbye & Amen" was the episode title to the series finale of "M*A*S*H." The title was better than the episode.
