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The End of the Run.
- Filed under: Uncategorized
- Date: Feb 17,2009
(originally published November 25, 2008 – bumped to top)
No use in delaying the announcement any longer – effective November 30th, this site is changing. Kyle and I were brought on to supplement the election coverage for Ohio.com and that period has come and gone. So has our time here.
It has been a tremendous opportunity and one I never took for granted. It was not one I ever sought out, but one that I am glad I decided to do after some initial reluctance. Things worked out far better than I thought they would both for myself and the site. I have had chances to do things, go to events, get access, and meet people that would never have been possible before this website launched.
We found out officially on October 30, the day after the Phillies won the World Series. Talk about a buzz kill. It was my decision to keep it quiet until now. I felt it best that way: continue on through the election and keep doing the best job possible without distraction. This won't be my last post here, but readers deserve to be informed about what is going on. Sorry, that is all I have; I have no idea what they will be doing with the site.
There are a few people I want to thank. She is no longer with Ohio.com, but Linda Lyell was the one who got this thing started. It was her idea and she got it off the ground. Jim Arnold helped get the site launch off the ground and helped us work through some of the early technical stuff. Amanda Reagan was charged with the tough task of selling ads. Dan Kadar has done a lot of behind the scenes work as well – filming many interviews and doing general site maintenance. The site couldn't have run without him. His name was never on anything, but it should have been. When we were having trouble gaining traction early on, many bloggers linked to us or wrote something nice about what was going on here. There are too many to name, but you aren't forgotten. I will always remember the people that stuck up for me when the controversy flared up one week in. It was people on both sides of the blogosphere, friends, family members, high ups at the ABJ, and other random people who were outraged that I might be fired after a week. Thanks to all the politicians who took their valuable time to do interviews with us. Governor Ted Strickland particularly. Others know who you are. In my opinion, that helped put this site above most others. My parents supported my move back into the Akron area, knowing that this was something of a dream job for me. That is not a surprise – they've always been there for both of their children in good times and bad. My mom must have given out hundreds of our business cards to people around the area. My dad was always there to bounce my ideas off of.
30 Responses for "The End of the Run."
By the way Keeler, good luck with that resume, hope your fellow turncoats take care of you!
This guy comments under various names like Keelerquack and Kyledouche. He's left over 180 comments on our site over the past year, mostly telling us we suck. That is some serious dedication. Thanks?
I'm sad to see this site go. It has definitely been one that I have often read and looked up to as to what a good blog should be. Your interaction has been fun to read and I appreciate all of your hard work.
I'm also saddened to see your run end. I thought the two of you wrote the most balanced blog in the area, (even though I tired of Kyle fawning over my opponent). I hope you pop up as a team in a new endeavor.
I've always enjoyed reading your blog. You are both insightful and entertaining writers. Thanks and good luck!
The blog has been a unique and popular feature that you can't find on other newspaper sites so I guess it shouldn't be surprising the ABJ is cutting it.
Thanks for all the posts and info.
Great work guys. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this blog. You kept all your readers engaged over the long haul of the election and built up a solid core of readers. This blog will be missed.
WARNING: BEACON JOURNAL BASHING: Too bad the Beacon can't figure out how to run with a good thing. I guess they are more comfortable cutting and pasting news from the wires into their paper and letting all their good local talent go to the Plain Dealer. No matter, I have a feeling the Plain Dealer will be the only game in town in a year or two. What's the over under on the Beacon going under?
It's okay Jimmy-V. We've always got Travels with Betty to fall back on.
Ben knows my thoughts on a lot of things. With that said Kyle! Even though we disagree on an enormous amount of issues I whole heartedly wish you the best. Although we may disagree on some things others I know we would agree on.
P.S. I know that infantile psychopath is none other than Alex Arshinkoff. Which shows how much he wastes our parties time.
Sorry to hear the news. Keep up the good work at your own sites or start a new page with the same format.
Good work to both of you. I know it was a lot of hard work and I am sure you guys will get something else going sooner than later. I will be keeping up with KPR and TCS everyday in the interim.
NO!
well done good sirs. best of luck.
Really really proud of what you produced for a year. It is TOUGH. And you did a great job. Good luck in whatever you choose to tackle next.
sorry to hear the run is coming to an end. this was the only thing i would ever come to ohio.com to read. i really enjoyed your interview w/strickland and a great number of your posts
Good job sirs! While I know this has been a good opportunity for the both of you, I am looking forward to the resurgence of the Keeler Political Report. With only one writer, the KPR as suffered where the Point has prospered. I need to find out Ben's thoughts on the latest episode of The Office, or what he thinks about the new Mandy Moore movie. With the Point out of the way, the KPR can be fun again.
Ben,
I forgot to say. That was one of your best written posts to date. To quote David Letterman after Gore's concession speech in 2000, "Great timing Al!"
Well done guys, it has been very enjoyable reading your stuff over the past several months. I wish you both well.
Just to throw it out there…any chance you guys will take your show to another site. I know you both have your individual blogs, but having both points of view on one site is unique to others around the state. I hope you will consider it.
I'll miss the site too, it was on my short list of blogs that I visited every day…
On behalf of Ray and the entire staff at WAKR I'm sorry to see the end of the run…both of you did a great job of bringing many voices to the table, exactly what the framers of the constitution had to have in mind when they wrote that little freedom of the press thing. I'm looking forward to seeing KPR renewed (especially since we don't see eye to eye on tactics all the time) and what's next for Kyle. Both of you did a wonderful job presenting viewpoints and ideas at a time when Akron needed a shout, and I'm sorry to see The Point wrap up but anticipate it isn't the end of the road. Kudos to the ABJ for weathering storms both real and imagined and extending the opportunity.
And Ben, if it makes you feel any better you can still come in to the studio with Ray early in the morning…even if you do wear the Phillies hat.
Ben/Kyle
Kudos to both of you for the hard work and passion that you gave to this blog. It was an experiment and I hope you are proud of the contributions that you made. The concept came on the heels of the Plain Dealer's political blog blowing up – in the spirit of "there's got to be a way to make this work".
And make it work you did – there were potholes along the way and in spite of what was going on around us, your spirit of cooperation and willingness to make this blog work for everyone carried through.
Be proud of this past year…I am proud to have been a part of it. Best wishes and thank you.
You will be missed. Your departure is the ABJ's loss.
Sad news for followers of local and national politics in Akron. The well-written commentary was insightful and well written. It was obvious how much time, thought and effort was expended on both sides. Equally obvious is that the end of the blog is not an obituary for your enthusiasm and commitment to politics, but only the end of this particular format. The Keeler Report will indeed live on, as will the Chief Source.
Maybe when the BJ is folded into the PD, the management will make a smart move and employ you two to cover local politics. I have enjoyed every minute of this site.
Ben thanks for your hard work. You were fair going after both sides when needed. Others have said it but the two of you should take this concept elsewhere.
People out there should know I gave Ben info that would have rocked our local secne had he published it. We worked hard to verify facts and make sure of accuracy but he wouldn't run it saying he never got into this to destroy people to boost his internet hits. He knows what I am talking about.
As I woke up early and thought of things to be thankful for …. there's this.
You both did very good work, and I am thankful for that. It's a shame the ABJ decided that political issues aren't important or that not enough people will follow them now that the election is over. I think they're wrong. 2009 will be a watershed year, one way or another.
I agree with others who have suggested that you guys take or launch the concept elsewhere. I don't see a lot of truly left v. right "give and take" sites (in fact I can't think of one at the moment), and I think there's potential for taking your readers current and finding others.
In fact, there's some real estate over at the Plain Dealer that's still unoccupied ….
Hey……you guys provided us with a fresh local prospective that was insightful, thoughtful, and partisan and objective,
if such a combination can be in one phrase.
Good writing, good information, and good spirits define your efforts. It was smart of the Beacon to put you guys in their cradle as they rock along in constant competition with cable, radio, and other print.
I gotta say "thanks" to the people at the Beacon who took a chance on you and let you do your 'thing.' The idea of being able to comment and get feedback on what you're writing is a tremendous plus in terms of responsibility and motivation.
I'd like to see it continue on a more broadbase kind of format…..say international and national events that spawn anger, concern, frustration, compassion, and concern. My view is that "just politics" isn't enough and this whole format could work if it were more inclusive. Think aobut it! What's the partisan viewpoint on what's happening with the terrorist situation in INDIA? Is there a Republican view and a Democart view, or is that too much the same? Reflections of middle American (northeastern Ohio) is worth exploring.
Think about it Beacon Journal !!
[...] hope this end of the run isn't permanent. I think the Keeler-Kyle show would be the perfect answer to a resurrection [...]
Thanks for a great year guys.
Sorry to hear it. Good luck going forward.
Guys,
Thanks for the ride. This was a quality effort from day one.
Too bad that the Beacon couldn't recognize the rare and beautiful if you gave it to them on a platter with a watercress garnish.