Yay, Us!

The Independent was recognized by both the Plain Dealer and Cleveland Scene in recent weeks, as both papers followed up on our own investigative reporting. Scene ran a follow-up to Tim Russo’s September cover story on Jennifer Garrison’s gay-baiting, while the Plain Dealer ran their own piece on Nehst Studio’s connection to Bernie Madoff’s family. Thanks for reading the Independent, guys, but would it kill you to mention our names, next time?

Nehst of Vultures Still in Cleveland

Speaking of Nehst Studios [“Nehst of Vultures,” September], following our report on the company’s strange expense reports for taxpayer money (for lingerie and fast food), their financial connections to Bernie Madoff, and their secret partnership with Al Ratner, the City launched an internal investigation. So they’re kicking them out of the convention center, right? Now so fast, says Mayor Jackson Chief of Staff Ken Silliman.

“We looked into your various points,” says Silliman. “But we don’t see anything that would impact their lease with the city for the convention center. That’s not to say your article didn’t raise serious questions.”

Just nothing big enough to piss off Ratner, I guess.

More changes coming to the PD

A memo circulated recently at the Plain Dealer announced that starting January 1, 2010, members of the management staff will be subject to possible layoffs. While champagne bottles are ready to be uncorked amongst the lowly laborers in almost every department, reporters in the sports department are practically giddy in anticipation of the departure of sports editor Roy Hewitt. With five editors presiding over an ever-shrinking department, someone will have to go and the logical choice is Hewitt, who many believe has been mailing it in for quite a while. Approaching 62, Hewitt has previously hinted that he would quit at that age, which has had a number of staffers crossing off calendar dates.

Currently, the sports department has no African-American beat reporters for the four major teams (Browns, Cavs, Indians and Ohio State) and it has been no secret that many blacks throughout the PD blame Hewitt for this state of affairs. As one staffer noted, there are two parties planned for Hewitt’s departure – one for the perfunctory goodbye followed by a real roof-raiser after he’s gone.