"Who would have thought? After 12 years of prying into Charlottesville's juiciest stories, the C-VILLE itself has not become the subject of town gossip. Last week, co-founder and editor Hawes Spencer announced he had been fired by his partners at Portico Publications - publisher Bill Chapman and Rob Jiranek (publisher of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine). Spencer fueled the buzz by circulating his story via email and telling his tale on morning radio.

Now, Spencer intends to start a new weekly paper, which he hopes will compete with C-VILLE. Chapman and Jiranek say they plan to hire a new editor and whatever staff necessary to keep C-VILLE the flagship of the Portico company. Lines are being drawn.

It's impossible to say at press time how all this will shake out. But Fishbowl can promise this - unless a stray comet smashes into the C-VILLE offices at 222 South Street, we will continue providing a fresh - and always alternative - viewpoint on local stories. Our deepest loyalty lies with our readers, not a particular company or participants in a drama playing out far above our heads.

Unfortunately, dear readers, Fishbowl's desire to dispense any more of this story is superseded by our ethics. We know the details of this story as employees, not reporters; therefore, the further telling of this tale in print falls to the inquiring minds at our fellow local journalism establishments.

Until further notice, please direct all editorial inquiries to John Borgmeyer by calling 434-817-2749 x28 or emailing borgmeyer@cville.com." (John Borgmeyer, C-Ville Weekly, January 22, 2002)