This image was lost some time after publication, but you can still view it here.

Late yesterday evening, the New Times (the alt-weekly megaplex that now owns the Village Voice) gave Voice publisher Judy Miszner her pink slip. Miszner had spent the past seven years at the paper but, given the New Times "merger," she probably saw this coming. (Editor Don Forst likely saw the same fate for himself, leading to him to resign before they had a chance to formally can him.) Her replacement with be Miami New Times publisher Michael Cohen. We look forward to seeing what sort of magic his pastel suits and speedboats will work on the alt-weekly.

After the jump, Misner's sentimental emails and New Times CEO Jim Larkin's decidedly less sentimental emails.

From: "Miszner, Judy"
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:59:33
Subject: Farewell

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that today is my last day as Publisher of the Village Voice. I thank all of you for making these the 7 best years of my career. During this period we have faced incredible challenges: 9/11, blackouts, a transit strike, the proliferation of free dailies and the transformation of the internet into a major competitor. Through it all, you have shown unsurpassed loyalty and commitment to the Voice.

I am confident that a successful future lies ahead for you in the new
organization and wish you the best of luck. I will miss you.

Best regards,
Judy

——————————————

From: "Larkin, Jim"
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:07:25
Subject: Judy Miszner's Depature


Dear Village Voice Staffers:

I wish to add my sentiments to Judy Miszner's announcement of her departure from her duties as Publisher of the Voice. Judy has done an outstanding job, as all of you know, running the Village Voice over the past seven years in a very challenging publishing environment. I am sorry to see her go and I wish her well in her future endeavors.

Judy will continue to consult with the Village Voice over the next two months.

Jim Larkin
Village Voice Media

—————————————————

From: "Larkin, Jim"
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 20:11:14
Subject: Michael Cohen named Village Voice Publisher

Dear Village Voice Staffers:

I am pleased to announce that Michael Cohen has accepted the position of Publisher of The Village Voice. Cohen is currently Publisher of Miami New Times, a position he will resign immediately. He will take the Voice helm on Monday January 30, 2006.

Michael has been in the alternative weekly publishing business for
22 years and has worked with New Times in South Florida for ten of those years. He has published or launched alt weeklies in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Miami. He has been responsible for 5 weeklies in the New Times organization since 2004 and has molded the New Times papers in Dade-Broward-Palm Beach counties into one of the strongest weekly groups in the country with circulation of 170,000. Cohen graduated from the University of Maryland in 1983. He is married and has one son.

When you see Michael in the halls next week please welcome him aboard the Voice.

thanks,

Jim Larkin
Village Voice Media