Editor, The Commercial:
It was a bit jarring to read that Byron Tate, former editor, was summarily dismissed from his position and will be replaced by another capable man with impressive credentials.
I wish Mr. Graves well in his new position. Still, it came as a rude surprise to me to learn about Tate, who had long held my admiration and his name, in association with this newspaper. I doubt we will ever know the reason his head was placed on the block as such things are dark secrets well hidden away and guarded by dragons. I can only guess it had to do with airing his sometimes left-leaning politics that may have clashed with his employers in this politically sensitive time.
I thought he was a fine editor, best he could be for a dying third class city newspaper. I thoroughly enjoyed his editorial writing that was “right-on,” especially in regards to his knowledge of the city’s political scene. I licked my lips with relish when I opened the paper and saw he had written an editorial. It was like diving into a dish of ice cream. He wrote with intelligence and had a fine way with words. He told it like it was…and ended with how it should have been.
He had a fine grip of goings-on of the town’s irrational and dysfunctional city council that tries so hard to lead but has no clue how to do it. I’m expecting popcorn to start being sold at each council meeting with calliope music in the background. It really is a three-ring circus. Best free entertainment in town!
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
May Tate find a better place to work that appreciates his fine talent. It will be a lucky newspaper that does.
Editor’s note: Byron Tate served as the Commercial’s publisher/editor. John Worthen is the managing editor of the Commercial.
Bob Curry
Pine Bluff