The Benicia Independent
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Roger Straw, Editor
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Benicia, CA 94510.
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Staff in turmoil at Benicia Herald following protest - Oliver Symonds 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 told him that no pictures of the demonstration would be published. Inside the Benicia Herald offices, Symonds 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 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.
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