Some further thoughts on the demise of the Rocky: It would be easy to be angry with the EW Scripps Company for its failure to find a way to save the newspaper. The Denver Post was arguably in a weaker position economically, and throughout my time at the paper, Scripps invariably settled for the easiest way out of any economic jam rather than fight for supremacy in the market. By my count we actually won the newspaper war four times, and surrendered each time.

     That said, the truth is, the Denver Post will face the same survival issues that every metro daily in the country faces, and its survival as the lone daily is by no means guaranteed. The business model no longer works. Craig’s List and eBay have taken the classified advertising revenue away, department stores, real estate agencies and car dealers have found other, more effective advertising outlets, and that money is not coming back. What’s most troubling is that, faced with a business structure that is no longer viable, the industry still can’t or won’t radically reinvent itself. 

     All that is a moot point for me, of course. I’ve had a terrific run for more than 30 years. I’ve had the very best job one can have at a newspaper. Nobody can edit an editorial cartoon, so we ink-slingers (at least those of us at newspapers with editors smart enough to stay out of our way) are departments of one. We get salary and benefits, everything we draw gets published, there’s no time clock, and we get to be stars in our communities. Not bad. 

     The first few days have been weird. People often assume that it’s a wonderful thing to be able to work at home; they don’t know what a newsroom is like. It’s full of bright, talented, driven folks who share a passion for their jobs. They tend to be smart, funny, cynical and sassy. Even on a slow day, there’s a constant buzz in the air, and it’s addicting. When there’s a big breaking news story, or on election night, there’s no more interesting or exciting place to be.  I already miss it.

     Right now I’m cleaning up my office at home, trying to merge all the stuff I collected for 31 years with the clutter in the studio. Do I really need the Office of Thrift Supervision coffee mug that someone involved in the S&L cleanup sent me years ago? Or the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists sketchpads I’ve collected at every convention but never used? What do I do with the file of old letters from readers (so quaint, actually written on real paper and sent in stamped envelopes, before email)?

     Tomorrow I’ll start drawing again, but not for a newspaper. My syndicate will continue to carry my work, but unless the Post decides to subscribe, Denver readers won’t see them.  I’m hoping that those of you who followed my work in the Rocky will follow me to this website. Tell your friends. 

     I’m still here.

Topics: economy, journalism, newpapers, Rocky