Gazette Publisher Scott Fischer resigns

Scott A. Fischer, who became The Gazette's publisher 15 months ago, resigned Wednesday, citing a difference in management philosophy with the newspaper's parent company, Freedom Communications.

A new publisher is to be named before the end of April, said Jon Segal, Freedom's Community Newspaper Division President. Jon Stepleton, public editor and assistant to the publisher, will serve as interim publisher.

Neither Fischer nor Segal would provide details about the resignation. However, Fischer's departure followed corporate interviews with key Gazette employees about their perceptions of the publisher and his leadership.

In a statement, Fischer said: "Throughout my entire career with Freedom, I've always been a very hands-on manager and I realize that's a style that is not as effective in this very competitive environment in Colorado Springs."

Segal said Fischer's departure had "absolutely nothing to do" with competition from Denver newspapers, which are heavily discounting subscription rates in the Colorado Springs area, or concerns about dipping circulation.

"Circulation is down a bit, but newspaper circulation in general is down," Segal said.

Stepleton said The Gazette remains a healthy, stable community institution.

"It is my strong sense that this is not an organization in crisis at all," he said. "We have a very strong leadership team in place in all divisions."

Fischer, 54, will continue to consult for the company's Community Newspaper Division, assisting with acquisitions.

"I value Scott's knowledge and expertise and look forward to having him as a resource as we continue to grow the division," Segal said.

During Fischer's tenure, The Gazette completed a redesign of its pages in an effort to better serve readers. Fischer also oversaw a continuing upgrade of the newspaper's presses, a move meant to sharpen reproduction.

Fischer has been with Freedom for 39 years. He followed his father's footsteps into journalism, starting his career as a reporter and photographer at a Freedom-owned newspaper in Clovis, N.M., in 1960.

He later became publisher at that newspaper and other Freedom properties, and in 1991 joined the company's corporate office in Santa Ana, Calif.

He began at The Gazette in January 1999, replacing N. Christian Anderson III, who left to become publisher and chief executive officer of the Orange County Register, Freedom's flagship paper based in Santa Ana.

Fischer's departure follows the resignation in January of Gazette Editor Steven Smith, who cited disagreements with Fischer. Terri Fleming, who was managing editor, replaced Smith.

- Edited by Cliff Foster. Headline by Barry Noreen

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