Front page story: “Ernie Schreiber retiring as LNP editor – for second time”
It continues “Just over a year after he was appointed executive editor of Lancaster Newspapers, Ernest J. Schreiber is retiring.
Or rather, he’s retiring again.”
WATCHODG: It is hard to explain why our immediate emotion was sadness. After all, it has been Schreiber whom we have targeted with a steady stream of criticism over the past decade for what we considered his trampling the dignity of individuals, low journalistic ethics, and his ‘hit man’ role in furthering the Lancaster Newspapers business interests, something that continued to his last day. (An article on this will follow.)
But at a certain age which perhaps begins with retirement, it no longer matters that much whether someone has been on our side or the other side. The point is that we traveled the same ground together and fought in the same battles. We share memories. We share battle scars.
I cannot imagine anyone I would prefer to have as a companion if stranded on a desert island for a week with ample food, a lot of water and an supply of inhibition lowering Ecstasy. We would talk and talk and talk.
As mentioned in the past, Ernie and I had lunch together at the Press Room almost a decade ago. He spent his entire time probing me with questions. He was certain that somehow or other I had an ulterior business reason for criticizing the Convention Center Project.
My impression was it was beyond his comprehension that there are people not always seeking to make a buck but rather sincerely interested in the well being of the public. His unbounded cynicism was an accurate representation of the ‘Fourth Floor’ of the Lancaster Newspapers, the executive floor. It got them into a lot of trouble.
So, if we are to be stranded on a beach (or better yet take a cruise), I would welcome his company… for a week.
Ernie, consider that an invitation. What is said on the ship remains on the ship. But you got to come clean.
