J. Todd Foster has resigned as executive editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press for personal reasons.
Jason Taylor, president and general manager of the newspaper, made the announcement to the newsroom staff this afternoon.
Foster had been named executive editor of the Times Free Press July 1, 2010.
He had previously served as editor of the Bristol (Va.) Herald Courier and from 1985-89 had served as a reporter for the Chattanooga Free Press.
Personal reasons? LOL! Don't worry folks, there is no cover-up here!
Cover up? Of what? Executives "resign" all the time in the private sector and we'll never hear the story behind it. Unless the company is funded by tax payer dollars, or there was some crime committed, there's no valid reason for us to insist on knowing why.
The TFP is partially funded by taxpayer dollars, shock! (Check to find out how much we taxpayers unnecessarily pay for posting 'Legal Notices' in the TFP). Other local (with wider circulation) media outlets have offered to post these 'Legal Notices' for free, but, the TFP keeps suing to stop that FOIFF (Freedom of Information For Free). Seems the "Right 2 Know", for free ends at the doorstep of 400 East 11th Street. So, shock, the 'Right 2 Know' has arbitrary limits, set by you? Thanks, J. Todd (At least the TFP is still printing your BS, just under the 'shock' byline) for offering yet another fact-less, misguided, and uninformative 'opinion'.
So, he was dating a subordinate. That happens in just about every place of employment and profession. From firefighters to cops on down to fast food supervisors and management. someone's casting stones here because they've long had it in for Mr. Foster. After all, he had the audacity and balls to ruffle a few local feathers. Especially the feathers of some of the local CPD {wink! wink!}
Todd, old friend, why don't we play some tennis again? I think we both could use a little humor at this time. - JA
Dont let the door hit cha where the Good Lord split cha!
Sigh... dislike this news, just started to like him. Last year, I had it with him after the smear piece on the murdered pastor, Rev. Strong. Cancelled the paper for the longest period I've ever gone without a paper, 5 months. Almost cured of my newspaper jones, when I finally caved and re-upped it.
Since then, I've liked the direction of the TFP. The recent article on Voter ID law and the confusion it has created was excellent coverage. Also, like the coverage on Paul Page, Erlanger's hiring of the Ritz consultants, and the corruption at Team Center and Department of Intellectual Disabilities, were all interesting reads. We would not have had this kind of local coverage with Griscom.
TFP should put Clay Bennett in charge. We would all have a good laugh and he's brilliant.
Interesting? The only ones salivating and gleefully foaming at the mouth in these posts over Mr. Foster's resignation are cops and their buddies who have openly expressed their disdain for him?
Foster rattled a few of their cages and they've been after him every since.
I don't care why he resigned, I'm just glad he did. The paper has really gone downhill in quality and objectivity since he came on board. (i.e., front page 'news' articles written to sound more like National Enquirer articles than real news articles). His snide, condescending, self-righteous attitude was disgusting and unprofessional. Maybe the TFP will go back to being a real NEWSpaper now.
I guess this is an example of not following the old saying: Never dip your pin in the company ink.
I would have never hired the guy in the first place.
I agree with mrsmusic. TFP is a liberal rag at best. Just look at any of Clay Bennett's toons.
Alright, since you TFP types don't seem to have a sense of humour, we'll try this again...In re: J. Todd Foster and "The Inquiring Camera Girl", was he seeking to comfort the afflicted or afflict the comfortable? http://www2.tricities.com/news/2010/jul/18/j_todd_foster_column_my_adventures_with_a_support-ar-345389/
Seriously, you are all ridiculous. I wish someone would help you find something better to do with your time and energy.
ctfpfan08 - apparently you don't have much better to do either.
J Todd -- Buh-bye now!
Administrative leave last week, now he's resigning for "personal reasons." Translation: Forced to resign bc of unethical and immoral workplace practices.
Foster was a terrible editor, and the TFP suffered because of it. I agree with those who wish better for their paper.
Foster, please don't stay in Chattanooga, we wouldn't want you tempted to eventually run for public office.
People who move to Chattanooga from other cities eventually realize Chattanooga is a very cliquish small minded city. Anyone who is not considered in the loop or a team player is considered an outsider. They usually move on to more open minded citities where differences of opinions are welcome and even celebrated and ecnouraged.
J. Tood was too thin-skinned to run a newspaper with two political editorial staffs. He would be better off at HuffPo as would Claydunce.
I’ve been quite impressed with the changes that have occurred since Foster was hired and I think he was doing a great job. I disagree with those who favor Griscam’s approach and lightweight news style. Although I liked Griscam and felt he had a good sense humor, the paper did not really address and did not really provide much in the way of actual news about real life community issues. To be honest, the only sections of the newspaper that I read on a regular basis during Griscam’s era were the opinion section and the sports pages. And if I had not had relatives who were involved in high school sports at the time, I must confess that I probably would have discontinued my subscription.
Hopefully, the TFP will continue to recognize the need to address and provide good coverage of real life community issues. It’s what good newspapers do, and it’s why some of us subscribe to the TFP. There have been some excellent and very informative features in the TFP during the past year, and I’ve been proud to pass them on to friends in other parts of the country who were also impressed. I thought the feature focusing on the immigrant issues was outstanding. The same is true with the feature involving the health care industry. And the daily news coverage has been very informative and gives you the feeling that you actually know what is going on around town. Again, I only hope that TPF will keep up the good work.
Pictures of the photographer please!!
Good Riddance! His stories always made me want to PUKE. I'm relieved that I never have to see anymore of his drivel.