Eldridge's Goodbye to Channel 8 Staff "You are my peeps."

[rocktv]

Well Everyone,
I know its that time but it simply kills me to say goodbye, even with
where I am going. Seriously.
I have grown so fond of all of you in such a short amount of time.
I have never worked with a more awesome collection of hard workers, who
have great personalities, and even more important, great hearts.
This business is tough, and as a News Director, there is often tough
decisions that even I do not favor. But those decisions are business
and it just comes with the territory. Nothing I ever did was personal, and it
was always with the station's best interest in mind.

I had so much I wanted to still do here. As I have told many of you, I
had a 2, 3, and 5 year plan...and had every intention to see it through.
Year 2 was going to really starting hit the detail of style and structure of
the content, but with the FOX transition and the digital change, it was
delayed. I have talked to Marc extensively that the next step is not
at all any heavy lifting, that is done. It is now about the detail, and I am
confident that is what he is looking for in replacing me. Someone that
will enhance the product and effort even more than me.

I want to say as I reflect back over these last two years, WOW!, we
accomplished a lot, more than you probably realize. I mean look at
this building, look at the product, and look at how we operate, and it truly
to me, is night and day from before.

News folks, you should be proud, because I remember the first months
over two years ago of our editorial meetings. They were draining, they felt
like we were swimming upstream against a current that drained our energy and
our minds. It is so different, there is energy, passion, and promise that
you can and will in this war. I nothing would make me happier than to read
about that very achievement taking place. And all of you, individually
and collectively, deserve the credit for where you are today. Each and
every one of you. I just thank you for believing in what I was trying to
accomplish and supporting me in this position. I truly can't thank you enough.

This was an awesome department head team to work with, and awesome GM
to work with, and awesome station to work with, and because you are my
peeps, the MOST awesome newsroom staff to work with. I thought I could not
have again, what I built in North Carolina, but it happened. But one
difference here was the community and what Rochester is about and its people. And
all of you are a great reflection of that heart and character of this
region. I fell in love with this area very quickly.

But more importantly and especially to the news team, I can't tell you
how it makes me feel, to see a team come together like you have. Don't
get me wrong, you ALWAYS had it in you. I just hope I helped a little bit
it bringing it out and making it work a little better.

I will truly miss you all. As I said before, if not Louisville, I
would have said no. As most of you know, I already had twice before.

I hate goodbye and never use that word. So for me it is see you soon.
Jadah and I, because of both careers, are determined to try the often
seemingly impossible long distance relationship. But the good part is
that it means I will be visiting often down the road.

Take care everyone and always stay true to what is in your heart and
soul, and true to those that love you.

*And remember one thing if nothing else from me. "Nothing great in
this world was ever accomplished without passion and enthusiasm" (Ralph
Waldo Emerson)*

I love you all, and will miss you terribly.

Lee

 

[SirRoxalot]

Cheep Shot

I'm all choked up - mostly over the fact that a NEWS DIRECTOR would put so many grammatical mistakes and awkward constructions on paper.

I guess his view of his tenure is different from what it looks like from this perspective. I'm glad that the editorial meetings are so much more collegial. I guess the "Bubble-headed Bleach Blonde" is easier to get along with, huh?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Re: Eldridge's Goodbye to Channel 8 Staff

I wonder what the reaction of this farewell letter will be from the numerous individuals who either left WROC TV or were fired during Mr. Eldridge's tenure as News Director?

 

[oldschooler1]

I heard it said he never sat in on the meetings anyway. He sat in his office, rarely showing interest, or flitted around the building. And the product looks EXACTLY the same as when he started. Except for the plasma screen used sometimes for reporter stand ups in the studio, and the fact that seasoned professionals such as Rachel Barnhart, Steve Levine, Melissa Long, Aaron Baker and Rob Jason have left to be replaced (if their positions were filled at all) by children or "bubble-headed bleached blondes (thank you, Don Henley!). Other than that, EXACTLY.
Now, let us sit back and wait for him to respond in his grammatically-deficient manner, devoid of all periods.
Peeps, indeed. Peeps that got pooped on.

 

[Mark_Giardina]

I heard it said he never sat in on the meetings anyway. He sat in his office, rarely showing interest, or flitted around the building. And the product looks EXACTLY the same as when he started. Except for the plasma screen used sometimes for reporter stand ups in the studio, and the fact that seasoned professionals such as Rachel Barnhart, Steve Levine, Melissa Long, Aaron Baker and Rob Jason have left to be replaced (if their positions were filled at all) by children or "bubble-headed bleached blondes (thank you, Don Henley!). Other than that, EXACTLY.
Now, let us sit back and wait for him to respond in his grammatically-deficient manner, devoid of all periods.
Peeps, indeed. Peeps that got pooped on.

Melissa, Rachel, Cathy, Ty, Steve, Rob and many others must be getting a chuckle out of that "farewell address" posted on here.
It will be interesting to see who replaces Eldridge and what, if anything, that person will do.
One also has to wonder if Eldridge's hires are now worried about their jobs?

 

[Baldecki]

Yea what on the station changed? Well yea new plasma screen TV where reporters do reports. But knowing Channel 8 they probably recieved it for free because where could have have gotten the money? They can't pay the staff they have. Maybe the changes Lee was referring too was replacing almost everyone at the station. I dont see how the product improved, if anything it got worse which I dont even know how it is possible. Lets hope the next person fires everyone on Wake Up Rochester and brings the old people back. Yea like that would happen. Thank you Lee for ruining a station which was just getting off its feet and slowing climbing to the top.

 

[oldschooler1]

As I said before, if not Louisville, I
would have said no. As most of you know, I already had twice before.

So, though he had a multi-year plan for the place, obviously he was looking for work. A-HA!

 

[Rochwatcher]

Lee's letter is too funny. Apparently he thinks he turned that station around? Third out of three stations is still third Lee no matter how you slice it (and in many shows including the dreadful morning show like someone pointed out it is a distant third). If I worked there, I wouldn't exactly be thinking no more changes are on the way when someone else comes in.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

As I said before, if not Louisville, I
would have said no. As most of you know, I already had twice before.

So, though he had a multi-year plan for the place, obviously he was looking for work. A-HA!

Interesting observation! Apparently, from what I've been reading on here, and basing this on my own opinion, Mr. Eldridge came to WROC-TV, fired a number of veteran staff, replacing them with less-experienced people. Now he reportedly claims to have had a multi-year plan to improve Channel 8 but decides to leave because he wanted to be closer to his home. It sounds to me that Mr. Eldridge was hired for the sole purpose of reducing Channel 8's payroll. He apparently accomplished his assigned task and his now moving on. As I posted earlier, it will be interesting to see what a new ND will do, especially when it comes to the staff hired by Eldridge. To be blunt, I don't think they will be an outcry from the viewing audience if a few on-air personnel at Channel 8 suddenly are missing.

 

[LeftyPunchbag]

I don't only blame the now-departed news director for the bloodshed at Channel 8, I also blame the General Manager. The General Manager follows the orders of one, Perry Sook. It all comes from the guy known as Sook the Schnook. It's not totally the News Director or the General Manager's fault. They are part of the problem, but not the cause of it. Sook is the problem here. Sook will do anything in his power to get rid of people at his Unionized stations.