Salute To The Edmonton Journal Week-Episode VII

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.

#203, 8912-156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

December XVth, MMXII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

I'd like to give a shout out II the unsung heroes of The Edmonton Journal, the production employees. They are sadly about to lose their jobs as The Edmonton Journal is closing its Eastgate Production Facility come summer MMXIII. This fine printing plant opened some XXXII years ago & its served Edmonton well. I remember as a boy taking the tour of the facility at night on two seperate occasions. Seeing the newspapers freshly inked up & getting to hold a still hot & unthumbed Edmonton Journal right off the press. I must tell newspaper & media students, there is nothing quite as exciting as that feeling.

Having worked on & off as a temporary contract labourer on the presses for the last few years, I will be the first to admit, it was one of the best jobs I ever had. A staff lounge upstairs with a snooker table & a fun atmosphere. I had to fix machines that were jammed by pulling out bent papers. On several occasions, I was even given the distinct honour of starting the press run. So its the end of the era. Best of luck to the Eastgate employees in their employment search & also to the Greatwest newspaper chain & the St. Albert Gazette in its continued production & stewardship of The Edmonton Journal for the citizenry of Edmonton. I shall IVever remember Eastgate.

Mixed Feelings,

Rory

Source: The Edmonton Journal, Eastgate Production Facility.