Goleta weekly publisher resigns

12/23/05

By FRANK NELSON

Jim Farr, publisher of the Goleta Valley Voice and two other papers, has resigned his post with owner Ampersand Specialty Publications, an arm of the News-Press.

Mr. Farr sold the weekly Valley Voice, along with biweekly Spanish-language paper El Mexicano and the monthly adventure magazine BlueEdge, to Ampersand last June.

At the time, Mr. Farr said he had agreed to remain publisher of the papers for three years.

But there were "fundamental disagreements" over business operations with the new ownership, said Mr. Farr.

Santa Barbara-based Ampersand Specialty Publications is an affiliate of the News-Press, which is owned by Ampersand Publishing, headed by Wendy McCaw.

"I'm sorry it turned out this way. I thought the partnership had potential," Mr. Farr added. "But I'm hoping all the publications will prosper under the new ownership."

Joe Cole, president of Ampersand Publishing, said that Mr. Farr's position would not be filled.

"The existing Goleta-based journalists and advertising experts will continue to run the Valley Voice in Goleta day to day, with Jim Farr's job functions and -- as planned from the outset -- back-office services such as production, accounting and distribution absorbed within Ampersand Publishing," Mr. Cole explained.

Valley Voice offices will stay in Goleta, either remaining at the current location on Hollister Avenue in Old Town or moving to an upgraded space on Calle Real, Mr. Cole said.

El Mexicano and BlueEdge will move into the News-Press building in downtown Santa Barbara, he added, "to give their employees more resources and to move the publications closer to readers and advertisers."

"We were happy to work with Jim to stabilize the employees' jobs financially and thus continue service to Goleta Valley residents, Spanish-language readers and surfing enthusiasts," Mr. Cole said.

Mr. Farr, who moved to Solvang last year, said he has no immediate plans to work elsewhere, nor was he entertaining thoughts of starting a new publication.