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Bob Berwyn, a longtime Colorado journalist who covers the ski industry, was fired last week after colliding with Vail Resorts over a column about, um, snow. The circumstances that led to his job loss are full of twists and turns, like a particularly brutal giant slalom course, but let’s just say it involves a large ski resort company, Twitter, secular changes in marketing, along with barometric and advertising pressure. More plainly, his firing suggests that vulnerable publishers, under pressure as the noose on advertising-supported print seems to tighten, are willing to groom away the moguls if that’s what they think the advertiser wants.

On Nov. 19, Mr. Berwyn wrote a column for the Summit Daily News that included a long tutorial on weather dynamics and then took a turn into a discussion of how the ski industry played a role in hyping snowfall. To wit, snow in one area of the Rockies does not promise fresh chutes of powder in another.

“All these factors are often forgotten when the ski industry hype machine switches into overdrive. During an upslope storm a few weeks ago, an industry P.R. person appeared on the Weather Channel in a short clip that was filmed near Genesee, where it was snowing heavily. During the segment, there was no mention of the fact that the weather was actually mild and dry just on the other side of the Continental Divide — were the ski areas are.

About the same time, a top resort executive based in Broomfield posted a picture of the snow on his deck to Twitter, eliciting a response from a Breckenridge resident, who pointed out, correctly, that it was warm and sunny in the mountains. The industry leader later said that snow is snow, wherever it is, and that it helps get people excited for the season.”

The “top resort executive” who tweeted the early bonanza was actually Rob Katz, who runs Vail Resorts, a company that owns five large ski areas. On Oct. 10, Mr. Katz was elated that it was already snowing and tweeted a picture of his deck in Boulder. Mr. Berwyn felt this constituted “hyping” snow because the snowfall and the picture was a long ways from the resorts that host skiing.

Mr. Katz told Decoder he always gets excited when it snows and he was just sharing his elation, not suggesting that ski resorts, including the ones he runs, were already drowning in snow in October. He called Mr. Berwyn and in an off-the-record conversation said he was angry about the column. He also called Jim Morgan, publisher of the Summit Daily, to share his displeasure.

At this point, Twitter comes schussing back down the hill. Mr. Berwyn tweeted: “Got reamed by ski co. but good feedback from skiers & community … a disconnect?”

And then a Breckenridge town councilman, Dave Rossi, entered the Twitterdome and suggested: “vailresortsnews blowback (calls SDN publisher!?) over cheeky criticism (& tweets) 4 snow mktg shows thin skin.”

Mr. Katz felt that his off-the-record chats had been made public and decided to pull his advertising from the Summit Daily News.

“We did not pull our advertising because of a bad story,” said Mr. Katz in a phone call last week. “We advertise in many outlets that write stories we don’t like. We just felt that there needed to be a private channel of communication where we could express our concerns and that those private discussions had been made public. It goes to the issue of trust.”

He also added that his company is pivoting away from traditional press in terms of advertising dollars and putting more time and money into social media because that’s where the skiers are. He speculated that publishers are having trouble with the new paradigm and are scrambling to make ends meet.

Two weeks after the column ran, Mr. Berwyn, a longtime reporter for the Summit Daily News, was fired, prompting this blog post by Susan Greene in The Denver Post last week:

“That decision is chilling not only for journalism in Colorado, but also for Summit County readers.

“It’s unfortunate but, especially in this economy, some advertisers feel like they can flex their muscles when there’s commentary that they don’t like,” says Ed Otte of the Colorado Press Association. “Newspapers need to withstand these kinds of threats.”

Mr. Morgan, the publisher of The Summit Daily News, then wrote a column saying that Mr. Berwyn’s firing was not the result of pressure from Vail.

“The reason Berwyn was terminated — and I have to be careful here because it is a personnel issue involving an individual — was not because of the column or because of the resulting fallout from it,” adding, “As would be the case with any employee, if there are circumstances symptomatic of a pattern of behavior documented in reviews over the course of time, then changes result. That’s what occurred here.”

Whatever Mr. Morgan is telling himself or his readers, it seems more likely that Mr. Berwyn was fired for writing a column about the weather, generally the least controversial (and often boring) topic a writer can get her or his hands on. His sacking over a meditation about snow is sort of Zen and horrifying at the same time.

When we contacted Mr. Berwyn about the snow country contretemps via e-mail, he didn’t have time to talk because Arapahoe Basin just got a nice little dump of about a foot of snow. Decoder commends his priorities. Later on Monday, fresh off the hills, Mr. Berwyn sounded pretty philosophical about his disenfranchisement. Apart from hitting the mountain when he wants to, he is using his newly emancipated status to start a news site, Summit County Citizens Voice, but that doesn’t mean he’s buying the version of events put forth by his former employer.

“Rob Katz did not ask to have me fired,” he said. “He pulled his advertising and I think that my publisher failed to back me on a column that my editor signed off on.”

“When it happened, my publisher said that I had a lot of groveling to do,” Mr. Berwyn said, adding, “He told me that we were X amount of dollars off budget and that Vail’s decision was going to make it even harder to reach our numbers.”

One budget number they won’t have to reach is Mr. Berwyn’s salary now that he’s out of a job.

“I’m sure that if you went through all of my performance reviews, you come up with this or that thing, but in general, I was reviewed as a stellar journalist who has covered a wide variety of challenging beats,” he said.

If you are still with us at this point, you’ll be unsurprised to learn there is a plot thickener. Decoder wrote a post a few weeks ago describing how a blog post at Ski magazine about a fatal accident at Breckenridge had been pulled, suggesting that pressure from Vail Resorts, which owns Breckenridge, was behind the move.

Megan Miller, the editor who made the move at Ski magazine, suggested in a note to the staff obtained by Decoder that advertising pressure played a role:

“My understanding is that we’re not in a position to stand up for free speech at the expense of dough right now, so, with a queasy stomach, I unpublished it. I suppose it would be prudent for our editors to skip death stories unless there’s a really important reason, so we can avoid this kind of indignity.”

Mr. Katz said that Vail was merely concerned about issues of taste if their ads appeared next to a story about a fatality and pointed out that the Breckenridge resort issued a press release about the tragic death. He added, “There is no pattern here. We don’t believe that advertising can buy good editorial.”

Mr. Berwyn recalled that when he wrote a story for the New West Web site a few years ago that included some criticism of Vail Resorts, he was told by his bosses at The Summit Daily that he’d better take the post down even though it was written for another publication. He demurred.

Decoder got the feeling from talking to Mr. Berwyn that he probably doesn’t manage up that well, but is a deadly serious, committed journalist. He certainly has an excellent reputation, in part because he has covered all manner of issues in the peaks and valleys of Summit County since 1996. As a longtime mountain man who keeps a notebook in his ski parka, he has a broader theory about the forces that are at work.

“There has been a long tradition in ski towns, and here in Summit County, of cozy relationships between the ski industry and the press,” he said. “The thinking seems to be that we all depend on this one industry and one sport for our livelihood, so we should do everything we can to keep the ski industry happy.”

“Beyond what happened to me, I’m concerned because this is a small community paper that is dependent on a narrow advertising base and who is to say the next advertiser won’t try the same thing?”

Based On A True Story

And now it’s time for another episode of “Jerkface and Valiant”, two brothers who follow two very separate paths! Join us, won’t you?

When in the electronics store, Jerkface uses all his money to buy a top of the line iPhone for himself! But Valiant wisely gets a V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player, and saves all that money to buy Christmas presents for others, like his cousin and grandmother.

When they get home, Jerkface has a lot of trouble playing his collection of WMA files, as the iPhone won’t support them. But Valiant knows his V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player can handle WMAs, MP3s, WAVs, AVIs, MP4s, AACs, and even 3GP! There’s also a recorder built right in so he can make voice memos!

Later, they go to visit their grandmother at the nursing home, and she wants to hear Christmas music on the radio. Jerkface has no radio in his iPhone, so he says no. To his grandmother. On Christmas. Thankfully, Valiant has a FM radio built into his V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player. He also has a 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera that can handles still photos, as well as video. And he can also view JPG, GIF and BMP so he can show his grandmother cute photos of the family. Plus he can read an eBook, or use his V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player as a mass storage device. So he and grandmother have a lovely visit.

At home, the brothers find they’ve had a visitor! Their cousin is so happy with Valiant’s gift, he’s left them a MiniSD card (not included) full of music! Jerkface has no way to add it to his iPhone, so he doesn’t even bother to say thank you. But Valiant uses the MiniSD slot built into his V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player, and writes a lovely thank you note as he listens. He even mails it right away!

Later that night, the boys are hungry, and want to call for a pizza. Valiant knows his V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player simply can’t work as a phone no matter what, so he doesn’t worry about it. He stays calm, and just makes a salad. But Jerkface thinks his iPhone will connect to the network. Oh, is he surprised! He waits and waits and never gets a signal, because the network is total crap! He gets so mad! It takes years off his life! And he never even gets that pizza! He goes to bed so hungry! All because of a network that wasn’t ready for the traffic they pretended it could handle!

A few years down the road, Valiant is still using his V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player. He’s got a big inheritance from his grandmother, and his cousin has given him a great job, because they are close, and he’s healthy, because he eats salads. But Jerkface is alone, penniless, and in a horrible part of town with no signal and no family and no friends and even his cat ran away because Jerkface tried to eat him because there was no other way to get food.

So this Christmas, don’t be a Jerkface! Get the V-Touch 16GB Portable Media Player for your loved ones.

Ships via FedEx 2 Day Express to arrive in time for Christmas

Authorized for SquareTrade Extended Warranty

Warranty: 1 Year Visual Land

V-Touch VL-885 Media Player Features:

• Movies, music, pictures, text files and more all at the touch of a finger
• 2.8” Color TFT touch screen
• Easy to use navigation system
• 16GB Built-In Flash Memory
• Drag and Drop file transfer, can be used as a USB Mass Storage Device
• Expandable MiniSD Card Slot (to 16GB)
• 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera records stills and video
• Camera also works as a webcam when connected to a computer through the USB port
• Video Playback: AVI / MP4 / 3GP
• Audio Playback: MP3 / WMA / WAV
• Supported Formats include AVI,3GP, MP4, MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, JPG, GIF, BMP
• FM Tuner with presets and internal recording
• Voice Recorder with 35 hours of recording at a 8khz rate
• Voice mode with selected content repeat function (A-B mode)
• Built-in speaker for those who choose not to use headphones
• Picture Viewer
• E-Book Functions
• .Irc format supported to show lyrics
• Equalizer with Normal, 3D, Rock, Pop, Classic, Bass, Jazz, Custom settings
• Repeat modes include Normal, Repeat Once, Repeat One, Repeat All, Repeat Folder, Random, Intro
• Rechargeable battery with approximately 6 hours of playing time when fully charged; approximately 8 hours charging time through USB port
• 5 MB per second file transfer speed
• 85db SNR
• 10mW + 10mW output power
• Output range of frequency is 20Hz – 20 KHz
• USB 2.0 PC interface
• Includes standard in-ear headphones
• Unit weight: 4 ounces
• Unit dimensions: 3.5” X 2.25” X 0.5”

Visual Land SSB-10 In-Ear Headphones Features:

• 3.5 mm plug fits most standard MP3 players, CD Players, Personal Computers, and other listening devices
• 10mm Drivers
• NdFeB Magnet Type
• 20 – 20,000 Hz Frequency
• 32 ohms Impedance
• 30mW Max Input Power
• 100 dB Sensitivity
• OFC Cord Type
• 39” Cord Length
• Surround Superior Bass
• 3 Different Size Cushions for Custom Fit
• Includes Protective Carrying Case
• Stylish Design

In the box:

• VL-885 16GB Portable Media Player
• SSB-10 In-Ear Headphones
• USB Cable
• A/C Charger
• Standard In-Ear Headphones with Additional Set of Ear Cushions
• Stylus
• User Manual
• Drawstring Carry Case
• Driver on Mini CD
• Three Sizes of Ear Cushions for SSB-10 Headphones

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There has been a lot of buzz lately about people receiving stimulus checks late – or not at all. Perhaps you've been waiting patiently – or impatiently – for your stimulus check to arrive, having earmarked that money for a specific purchase. Perhaps the anticipated deadline for the check's arrival has come and gone. Perhaps you've diligently gone to the IRS site at : www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html to make sure you know when you should have gotten your check.

Based on that information, you believe you should have gotten your stimulus check but it isn't in your bank account or it has arrived by mail (sometimes called snail mail for good reason).

There are a wide variety of reasons why you may not have gotten your expected tax rebate yet. Some reasons are lesser known – and even shock or surprise people. Hopefully, you'll be among the group of people who can be reassured that your stimulus check may be getting to you a bit late but is indeed on its way to you. If not, at least you'll know a potential reason why it is running late.

Here are some of the top reasons you might not get a stimulus check – or don't get one by the expected deadline:

Billions of dollars in stimulus or rebate checks are being confiscated by the government. According to some studies (sources listed at end of article) over half of that confiscated money goes to pay child support that was owed but never paid. That should be a pleasant surprise for the parents waiting on the child support payments. It may not be such a pleasant moment for those who couldn't pay child support or hoped to spend a rebate check some other way. Instead of getting the money to use for something else, they may get nothing. Zip. Zero dollars.

2. Filing taxes late can be another reason for the late arrival of a stimulus check

File those taxes late and you raise the chances of getting your rebate check late. That just makes sense. If you file your return on April 30th, you can't expect your stimulus check by in early May. If you do get one that quickly, consider yourself blessed – and very lucky. Odds aren't high, though.

The good news here is that filing late doesn't always mean that the taxpayer has to pay penalties or fines. In some cases, the IRS has extended filing deadlines or given extra time to get those payments into them. This means that when the stimulus check finally arrives, it could still be for the full amount and the taxpayer won't have any money deducted for late payment. If a taxpayer was affected by major flooding or other natural disasters or undue hardship, checking with the IRS could provide some potential reassurance about the possibility of paying late and still getting a stimulus check. You can find out if you fall into that group by checking here: www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html

As you can see, taxpayers in some areas of Indiana, Georgia, Illinois and many other areas of the country hard hit by floods or other natural disasers may get some extra time to get their taxes in. Just be sure to double check the regulations.

3. Some people didn't file for stimulus checks because they didn't know they were eligible to get one. The IRS is reaching out to the many retirees, veterans and social security recipients who may be eligible for at least $300 or more but didn't file. According to data collected so far, at lest 5.2 million veterans and others have not claimed their money. They also may not know they have until October 15 to file a 2007 tax return, mistakenly believing they may have missed the deadline.

4. The stimulus check is indeed in the mail – which is both the good news and the bad news.

A neighbor got her check a few days late. We got ours on time. There are reports at the IRS website that some checks are taking extra time to process but they don't seem to be the majority of cases. If you fall into the group of people getting your payment late, all sympathies to you but….at least you'll be getting that stimulus check…eventually.

5. You owe student loans

Yes, your rebate money can be taken from you because of this. It depends on the loan. As always, you'll want to get specifics from the IRS but paying student loans late can indeed hold up your stimulus check.

6. You made a mistake in calculating your tax return

Even if you use an accountant, mistakes can happen. You should be notified of this but double checking wouldn't hurt. Now that the frenzy of that original tax deadline is past, go back over your receipts and records Make sure you didn't miss anyting.

7. You never filed at all. Seems obvious, doesn't it? But it isn't obvious to an amazing number of people.

File a tax return electronically or by mail and get a potential rebate or stimulus check seems like obvious cause and effect reasoning. But some taxpayers apparently think there is some magic way of bypassing all that and expect the government to calculate their taxes and send them a check. I wouldn't count on that myself.

8. You don't know the deadline for your rebate check to arrive

Those vary a great deal, starting in May and going through July 11. If you opted for Direct Deposit, may get your stimulus check much earlier than if you opted for mail delivery. It simply takes more processing time for mail delivery. Also, some common sense goes a long way. If you mail delivery person can't get through flooded streets or you have a fallen tree blocking your street after a storm, there may be a delay in mail delivery due to that. Based on my experience, the mail delivery people go to extraordinary efforts to get our mail to us.

But they can't get around all obstacles. Last winter, for instance, there were several days when we didn't get mail since the trucks couldn't get up and down our streets due to heavy ice, snow and flooding.

9. It was automatically deposited in your bank account and you didn't notice

Ooops! Might be time to look into balancing that checking account info more often. But if you happened to discover the money was deposited, then you had that much extra money at some point, possibly in early May. Hopefully, you haven't spent it all yet….or if you did, you'd really wanted to do so.

Now you know why your stimulus check may not have arrived yet. As always, be sure to clarify any questions or concerns you have directly with the IRS. Sources listed below or you can call (800) 829-1040 to get information about your area and the proper department in the IRS to answer your questions.

Sources:
1. Internal Revenue Service website at www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html
Stimulus Process Schedule for checks processed by April 15

2. Internal Revenue Service website update on June 26 about tax relief for disaster situations: www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html

3. Wis Channel 10 News (info about confiscated checks) June 25 at: www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp

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