Al Martinez column: California editor responds to readers

The decision to discontinue Al Martinez's weekly column has brought to the newsroom e-mails and calls from dozens of readers. Here is a note that California Editor David Lauter has sent to many who have written:

Russ Stanton forwarded your message regarding Al. You and I may not agree on the subject, but I'd like to explain our reasons.

As everyone knows, we're in the midst of the worst economic slowdown since the 1930s. Newspaper revenue, which comes overwhelmingly from advertising, is way down and is likely to drop even further over the course of the year as stores go out of business and those that remain cut back on the number of ads they run. As a result, we have to find ways to economize. And that means we have to make difficult choices. As California Editor, I've been happy to have Al's column in my section. He's a good man and a fine writer, and he's been part of the Times for many years. But my primary mission has to be news coverage. So when I'm looking at the budget, I have to weigh Al's column against things like keeping our Sacramento bureau operating to tell you and other readers what the governor and legislature are up to, or reserving money to buy fire gear to protect our reporters and photographers when they are in the field covering Southern California's  repeated wildfires.

We know that Al's column has many fans among our readers. Indeed, everything that we publish has fans. There is no way to make cuts without angering someone. I wish money were plentiful and we didn't have to make choices like this. But I can't change the economic realities we live with, and they are difficult. This is a year in which a number of newspapers around the country likely will go out of business altogether. The Times is not in that category, but we have to act prudently to make sure we never get to that point.

I'm sorry that Al's column is one of the things we have to let go of, and I'm sorry, too, that the decision has angered you. We value our readers and their opinions. I hope I've at least been able to shed light on how we came to this decision and that even if you disagree with it, you'll understand that it was done after considerable thought and extensive advance notice to Al.

Best wishes,


David Lauter
California Editor
Los Angeles Times

Comments

[J. Morgan Kousser]

Al Martinez not only writes more beautifully than anybody else at the Trib-Times, but he also observes more deeply and humanely. No one else captures the stark, lonely, loveliness of L.A. so memorably. Much of the California section has become transient fluff or propaganda: celebrations of Arnold, denigrations of labor unions or Democrats in the legislature, p.r. handouts about insignificant local attractions. Al's images of dawn breaking over L.A., of his friend with Alzheimer's, of the tragically lonely man at the freeway rest stop, of characters from his Oakland or L.A. journalistic days define us, refresh us, cause us to stop and contemplate who we are, perhaps even re-form us. Does the trivial, superficially-analyzed, biased reportage in a week of the California section weigh as much on the scale of intellect or feeling as one day's Al Martinez column?

[Daniel Olivas]

Today's piece by Al Martinez is an example of the intelligence, heart and thoughtfulness he's brought to readers all these years. We are saddened and angry about the Times' decision to end Martinez's column. We can only hope that the Times will reverse itself one more time.

[Dirk Blocker]

I've looked to the Times not only as a source of factual information, but because of its diverse, insightful and colorful contributions from its columnists. No columnist, in my view, has made greater contributions over the years than Mr. Martinez. In this new era of having a worldwide, instant database at one's fingertips, I believe you are making a tactical error when you decide to throw out the soul of your newspaper in order to cover issues that everyone else is covering ad nauseam.

[Lenore N. Dowling]

Like many fans of Al Martinez, I am saddened to hear the news today of his daughter's cancer. It is his personal touch -- warm, compassionate, compelling -- that I will miss if his column ends. How do you stack up "news" against his philosophical view of life that heartens and enlightens readers, giving hope in dark times. Alas, the editors are dimming the light even more.
Lenore N. Dowling
Los Angeles

[Kristene Wallis]

I, too, am a longtime fan of Al Martinez. I just read your explanation of why you feel that, of all the columns in the Times, his is the most expendable. I beg to differ.

Your op-ed page has become repetitious and, quite frankly, a bore for the most part. Why not give Al a semi-regular spot there on the weekends? Joel Stein is fabulous; he could use some "elder statesman" competition.

If your readers only wanted news coverage, as you imply, god knows there are literally dozens of other options available to us, in all forms of media. What cannot be found elsewhere is bright, witty, humanistic writing such as Al Martinez's. Eliminating a 79 year-old writer is a crime against humanity. Well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but still...FIND HIM A SPOT AND LEAVE HIM THERE AS LONG AS HE WISHES TO REMAIN.

- Kristene Wallis

[jeff prescott]

I'm a 56-year old "tough guy" who cried reading Al's column today. Since Al appears on Mondays, a very weak day for Metro, I'm sure we won't see any fluff stories, or larger photos, will we?
You mean, Al can't fit on the op-ed page once a week?
Is that page so busy being hip & trendy there's no room?
Come on.....................
Dave Lauter, I've always respected your work, but after this explanation, you're stretching the Times' credibility.

[Monica S.]

I'm sorry for his daughter. However, Al's not the beloved institution he likes to pretend he is.

He's no Jack Smith, and he knows it. I'd rather have Charles Perry back--a really gifted writer, a real scholar and part of the once-great food section team.

Please don't backtrack on this decision again.

[victor garcia de cortazar]

I think that one of the best human and also funny looks on life is that written by Al Martinez. For more than 20 years I have been following his column and I always find it a very interesting look at life. Many times news are thought as disasters, scandals, crime. I think we need also a human look at life. I hope that Al Martinez would be allowed to continue showing us the better aspects of human life.

[Howard Gutfeld]

Al Martinez provides a sensitive, inciteful and frequently humorous touch. He has been a definite asset to your paper. In crass economic terms, he represents significant "value added".

The LA Times and other papers are competing with the Internet which provides faster news in greater depth. Not that you shouldn't work on high quality, in-depth news reporting, but features like Al Martinez' column add value to the paper and make it more than "just another news source."

He's an outstanding writer and having his column in the LA Times increases the value of the paper.

[Esther Hoffman]

I, along with many others, am terribly saddened at your dismissal of Al Martinez....others' comments describe exactly how I feel about his commentary on life here in So Cal...I don't care if he is 100 years old, he still can bring us to our knees, to tears, to LOLing, with his writing that comes from his heart...not his salary, fame, and other insidious afflictions. I have a great idea: let all the young writers who are still green around the gills go, and keep Our Al until HE gives it up. How's that for a sensible idea? Are you sensible, Times people???? !!! Esther Hoffman

[Mark Ferelli]

I've read David's response to a dismayed readership two or three times and David, the argument is not convincing, although you put it as well as you could. This is the Los Angeles Times, and budget is no excuse for going on the cheap. As an editor, you have a budget responsibility but you also have a quality responsibility to the readers, who are supposed to come first. Additionally, your comparison between what you likely pay Al as a freelancer and the running of a bureau is comparing the mouse to the mountain. There is a difference between being economical and mean-spirited. The Times is treading that border. I truly wish it was true that the management of the Times values its readers, but this kind of thinking impeaches your claim. The decision to retire a column distinguished by insight, heart, and literacy should be reconsidered.

[Elisabeth Chatfelter]

The decision not to let him work until his birthday (July) is truly mean spirited and needs to be explained. The Times is cutting back. I get that. Who isn't these days. But to cut back on the very things that make the paper interesting, unique, touching, and human, is a mistake. Al is a Los Angeles Times treasure and should be treated as such, or at the very least be designated a Los Angeles historial monument to preserve his job.

As Mark Twain wrote, "Who reviews the books? People who never wrote one."

Mr. Lauter...are you listening?

[John Brooks]

Today's print edition of the times sits on my desk.
I've read the "A" section, "D" sports, not calendar , not health, and in your huge 6 page "B" California section the only story with heart was Al's column. So much has already been cut , the tipping point to subscription cancellation has probably been reached.

[Glen Burch]

I think the argument for letting Al go is very, very weak.
He must not have much clout with this editor so is the
easiest to let go. The comparison between Al and your
Sacramento bureau is really pathetic. Is that the best you
can come up with.
Glen Burch

[Nicole M.]

I am dismayed by the news that Al Martinez's column will be discontinued -- as someone who long ago moved to San Diego, one of the reasons I value the LA Times is their diverse and engaging columnists... we don't have that down south.
I have been reading Al's columns for so many years - they touch a cord not only in my heart, but in hearts acorss the miles.
What a shame -- I know that my week will not be the same. Please reconsider.

[Lauralea Saddick]

This letter is to express my disgust that the Times is terminating the column of Al Martinez on January 19th.

Al Martinez provides commentary that not only discusses current events, but also relates past experiences which lends understanding to current events. The L.A. Times is a weaker newspaper without Al Martinez's column.

The L.A. Times has made many questionable changes under its Tribune ownership. I have considered myself to be very tolerant of these changes which ultimately do not provide anything beneficial to the paper's readership. Moreover some of the columnists now write silly drivel such as the downplaying of the seriousness of peanut allergies and related dismissal of anaphylactic shock's seriousness or printing old pictures with a current story, or putting filler pieces in the front page Column I rather than publishing when the material is fresh and relevant.

But this time, the L.A. Times has just gone too far eliminating the voice of Al Martinez , a man of wisdom, experience, sharing, and humor. Al Martinez provides valuable insights and he is a treasure to the community.
The L.A. Times seems to have forgotten that one of the important roles of a newspaper is to serve the community.

[shaunna]

i'm not going to wax eloquent on this... just letting you know i won't be reading your paper at all (in protest). chronicle on-line, sorry. laist for local.

[Firefly]

He was going to retire anyway in July so what's the big magilla? They let him go half a year early. Move on, already!

[kevin]

I cam late to the game in reading his articles. but usually they were at the very least interesting, and different than the other articles in the paper.

In some ways, in the last few years or possibly the past decade, he came across as a crotchety, curmudgeonly, avuncular individual in the best possible sense.

I do like the fact that he does mention his wife "cinelli" in virtually every article he wrote and usually waxes rhapsodic about his third or fourth martini of the day which he really shouldn't be drinking or at least Cinelli tries to stop him from having another one.

Here's a raised martini to you, Al. and hopefully you'll be writing at blog or possibly somewhere on the Internet at least, I guess it's the wave of the future.

[Howard from Irvine]

Let me not mince words--The Times is a great newspaper and will remain a great newspaper, despite the recent changes, including the loss of Al Martinez. I may not like the changes made over the past several months, but I understand that to survive these days a newspaper has no choice but to make changes, most of which will be unpopular.

[Frank Stanton]

One way to save money would be to get rid of most of your Blogs. Although blogs are the rage, they for the most part seem to be written by people who really do not have serious writing credentials and who often seem to write things which are designed to grab attention rather than enlighten the reader on important or, at least interesting things. Blogs seem to represent a dumbing down of reporting and editorializing. In a world where guys like Karl Rove try to create reality, we need people like Al Martinez to brings us back to reality with grace and elegance.

[James Allen]

Sorry to see Al go...yes I am. However, as usual most of the posts are silly and emotional. Won't read the paper anymore...silly response. How about the one that says "This is the Los Angeles Times, and budget is no excuse for going on the cheap". Again, silly response...budget is a real big reason. If the Times does not maintain a budget the whole paper goes away. Tough times, tough action. I do not work for the Times, I live in Idaho and use the Times to stay in touch everyday.

[Patrick Murphy]

My mother Virginia and I have enjoyed Al's columns for years and wish they could continue until Al wants to call it quits (in July?). I would think the Times could extend that small courtesy and respect to one of it's best writers. If the Times needs to cut back so bad why not loose that dumbed-down birdcage liner the "Image" section.

Our best to Al and his family that we have come to know and love over the years- we'll miss you!

[Maxine Mueller]

HOW MUCH MORE would it cost me a month to have Martinezs' column continue until he decides to retire?

Discontinuing Al Martinez's column confirms what I sense reading the LA Times everyday (as I have since moving to L.A. 24 years ago)--the paper's editors are hopelessly out-of-touch with what keeps subscribers. They are no longer serving the community but themselves and the Tribune machine. I don't need the LA Times to let me know whats going on in Sacramento (also hopelessly out-of-touch). I live it everyday as work and financial funds evaporate.

I want/need to read columns by Al and Steve Lopez to confirm my sense of reality that good takes place in our L.A. world, real life stuff the Times editors deem unimportant.

I could care less about what spoiled stars are doing what and where, who's spending millions to refurbish houses in awful taste. I can't afford to even look at a menu of most critiqued restaurants nor buy ingredients to make featured recipes.

Whats happening in Sacramento is pathetic, and worse yet, no amount of articles seem to propel the residents of CA into action to hold the state government accountable.

My difficult choice is whether to continue the Times subscription. I may just cancel and purchase a single paper on Steve Lopez Day.

[Gerry Daley]

Al Martinez's column was one of the last vestiges in the Times of reality as experienced by the average working American, expressed with humor, empathy and insight. So naturally now that Sam Zell has taken on so much debt that he cannot properly run the papers he "owns," you idiots cut the heart out of the paper, as if that will solve Zell's debt problem. Thank you, Zell, for another lesson in how to destroy a once-good newspaper (you folks might also invest in a spell-check program, while you're at it).

[Carol Iu]

It used to be such a nice daily ritual to sit down at breakfast and read the LA Times. These days, the paper feels like a throw-away and I kept my subscription because of loyalty. The firing of Al Martinez is the last straw. If I can't even have something to hold on to on Monday mornings, then I am canceling my subscription. It is a shame that you will take away the heart of the paper. In case it hasn't got through to you -- your readers are not enjoying the "Image" section. What an insult to keep "Image" and get rid of Martinez!

[James Dunlevey]

I agree with all comments in support of Al. The editor's attempt to explain the decision makes little or no sense; clearly he lacks Al's writing ability. The decision on which columnists the Times can afford should not be based on the budget of one section. It should involve an evaluation of all columnists. If Russ Stanton, et al, really believe that Al Martinez has less ability, less value, less to say of interest to paying subscribers, than every other Times writer, then I truly cannot trust your judgment on anything.

[linda]

LA Times writers Al Martinez and Steve Lopez make the LA Times worth reading. Their writing makes the newspaper more than a newsfeed that one can get on line. I look forward to Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Frankly, the other days of the week, the LA Times is pretty ho-hum. It seems sadly short-sighted and out of touch with your loyal readers to retire Mr. Martinez's column.

[nancy adams]

Dear Al,

Thanks for the memories.

[OLGA MALISZEWSKI]

DEAR AL,

WITH OUT YOUR WONDERFUL WRITINGS THE LATIMES
WILL NOT BE THE SAME. I AM SORRY TO SEE YOU GO.
I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR ARTICLES FOR YEARS THEY HAVE AT TIMES MADE ME CRY, LAUGHT, .....GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORDS. THE TIMES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. SHAME ON YOU LA TIMES.

[Joel Axelrod]

I used to deliver the Herald Express from my bicycle. After two other boys stopped their routes, I absorbed them and had the the west side to myself (Military on the West, National on the South, Pico on the North and Overland on the East). The LA Times was only one of many choices then.....the Mirror, the Herald, the Examiner, the Times, and even The Evening Outlook.....my father called it "the Outrage". Then, writers who had columns, wrote with passsion, humor, intelligence, irony, tension, impatience and zeal. Prendergast, Durslag, Smith, Martinez. They told us stories that came from their hearts, crafted in the home we all call Los Angeles. Semper Fi, Al. Bless you and your family. As an exTopanganoid I wish you many contented full moon nights with an owl or two, a chorus of coyotes and a Bombay Saphire martini to keep it sad enough to make for good story telling in the morning. Joel

[Lucie Hand]

Lopez and Martinez columns bring humanity to the daily news, they bring reality in a human way...I can't believe you'd drop Martinez...I just can't believe it...drop some of the drivel about movie stars in the Calendar section.

[Lynn]

I am someone who buys the newspaper and reads it front to back every day. Many times I wonder why the LA Times has so many notes in the printed version saying 'see the article on LATimes.com'. I read the paper. The "paper"! Because it is a way for me to rest my eyes from the daily grind of a computer screen and learn and wonder and laugh and cry. I look so forward to Mr. Martinez column and, once again, LA Times has cut him. It would seem this time it is for good. Such a shame. Mr. Martinez is one of the only reasons I still buy this paper. Yes, I want to read the news, sports, comics, etc. Yet, so much has been cut from the news reporting, the sports hasn't been decimated quite that much - yet, the comics... how many more will you drop?... and the heart of the paper, including Mr. Martinez and Steve Lopez and some others... you keep cutting out pieces of the heart of the LA Times. Why? I pray for you, Al, as I write your name, 'Al', I realize you have become someone I 'listen to' and hold dear. You will be wonderful. Please do let us all know what you are up to and where we can, so to speak, 'find you'. To the LA Times, I wonder why you think you can survive this economy when you take out the ethic and soul of what the LA Times, in some ways had been, one of the greatest newspapers... you cut out the heart and seem to forget that all you will have left is what can be, and will be, something that is like so many others. The character and heart and soul will be gone.