Subject: Launch of The Benicia Independent - www.beniciaindependent.com
Date: 2007-11-03

Roger Straw is launching Benicia Independent News. The first edition reports on the debacle at the Benicia Herald involving Benicia Council and Mayoral candidates (Strawbridge, Whitney) strong arming the paper into several actions that ultimately led to the firing of the editor and the apparent resignation of the acting editor. This is a test of Benicia's last stand for independence from a small group of powerful people who feel they can march into a newspaper office and determine editorial policy. I don't care whose side one is on, this is not right and Roger's efforts are a great first step toward getting to the truth in news.

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Hello friends - please check it out The Benicia Independent online at www.beniciaindependent.com and send me your support and encouragement. I need your input, critique and comments. ... and about 48 more hours in a day!
Roger Straw
rogrmail@beniciaindependent.com

The Benicia Independent


Staff in turmoil at Benicia Herald following protest - Oliver Symonds reportedly quits


BENICIA, CA / November 3, 2007, 10:04 AM - Around 20 protesters gathered outside the Benicia Herald on Friday to show support for fired Benicia Herald Editor Les Mahler, and to call for free and truthful commentary without pressure from advertisers and politicians.

According to protester Norma Fox, the Benicia Herald's Subscription manager, Sam LiRon, parked his truck in front of the protest, effectively blocking passing morotists' view of the demonstration. LiRon confronted protesters, angrily questioning how they could "have the nerve to question" the paper's firing of its editor.

When Associate Editor Oliver Symonds (who has served as Interim Editor since Mahler's firing) came out and took photos of the protest, LiRon grabbed Symonds by the arm and pulled him inside the Herald offices. A confidential source told The Benicia Independent, that Symonds was told that no pictures would be published. The source said that Symonds then asked to speak to the Herald's President, Publisher David Payne. When LiRon responded that Symonds couldn't and wouldn't talk to Payne, Symonds is said to have quit on the spot.

Subscription Manager LiRon, who is also the Site Manager for Gibson Publishing's Martinez News-Gazette and involved in all of the Gibson operations, was evidently in charge on Friday.

Mahler's dismissal was initially referred to as a "suspension" but his permanent dismissal is evident, as the Herald is already advertising for a new editor on Craig's List: "Newspaper Editor (immediate opening) (vallejo / benicia) ... 2007-11-02 ...The Benicia Herald is seeking an experienced editor for a daily (5 days a week) newspaper. The Herald covers local news in Benicia and Solano County. Applicant must be a strong copy editor and headline writer; proficiency in the AP Style....Send resume, references and links to published articles to hubert54@gmail.com." [etc.]

Nathan Salant, a former Herald employee, was brought in on Friday night, 11/2, to put together Sunday's edition. LiRon's spouse, Yael LiRon, is reportedly returning from Hawaii to take over as Interim Editor. Yael LiRon was Interim Editor before Mahler was hired.

See coverage of yesterday's protest demonstration and photo in today's Vallejo Times Herald and "Censorship in Benicia" on Benicia News Blogspot.

For a brief background on the dispute between the Benicia Herald and Mahler, see the Vallejo Times Herald article from 11/1/07.


Bookmark this page, and check back soon for late breaking stories
about our local elections,
the suspension of the Benicia Herald Editor, Les Mahler,
and other stories of interest.

To submit an idea, news tip, editorial comment or story,
send to: rogrmail@beniciaindependent.com

LINKS

Benicia First!

Vallejo Times-Herald article about the suspension of the Benicia Herald Editor

http://beniciaelection2007.blogspot.com
(...including Will Gregory's "Facts and lessons gleaned from candidates' campaign disclosure reports")

http://benicianews.blogspot.com
(...another good new independent news source - and a valued partner of The Benicia Independent)

Benicia League of Women Voters





Also in the News . . .

Our friends at Benicia News Blogspot have written an excellent account of the firing of Editor Mahler and the 11/2 protest, "Censorship in Benicia". And they are helping to organize a boycott, urging folks to cancel their subscriptions if Mahler is not rehired by December 1st. Check it out: http://benicianews.blogspot.com/






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