4 mit A . , 44 Company Man The new publisher at The Detroit News is steering the ship through rough waters. LINDA BACHRACK SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS T here are no windows on the world in Mark Silver- man's temporary office at The Detroit News. Somewhat insulated in his new environs, Mr. Silverman, 47, who took over The News' publishing responsibilities from Robert Giles, easily can close his eyes to the Action! Motown '97 prayer vigil and union rally that fills the street in front of The De- troit News building. By early afternoon, Mr. Sil- verman learns of an adminis- trative law judge's ruling against the newspapers. Welcome to Detroit, Mark Sil- verman. It is a volatile and challeng- ing position that Mr. Silverman has accepted in the wake of Mr. Giles' resignation. "This is too good a newspaper, too great a town, too wonderful an opportunity to say no to," said Mr. Silverman of his decision to come to Detroit, leaving Louisville's Courier-Journal, where he served as vice presi- dent of news and as executive editor. "There are many more posi- tives than negatives here," Mr. Silverman said. "Circulation and advertising sales have bottomed out and are coming back. Time wins, ultimately. We haven't missed a day of publishing [since the strike began two years ago]." Of a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling that found Detroit Newspapers guilty of unfair labor practices, Mr. Sil- verman said it was anticipated. "This is just the first inning. We expected the complaints would be upheld by the unions' hand-picked administrative law judge. It's very preliminary and we have a month or two to ap- peal." According to the NLRB, how- ever, Judge Thomas Wilks was simply assigned to this case through a blind draw. Mr. Silverman praised his newsroom, saying the attitudes and morale among reporters and editors are better than at any other paper at which he's worked. "We have a fun newsroom. Our reporters are dedicated to the city and the paper. They're not wringing their hands. They have great attitudes," he said. If a judge grants a request by the NLRB that former newspa- per workers be immediately re- plictivki2 instated, Detroit Newspapers likely will be forced to call back more than 1,000 strikers, and many of the replacement work- ers might be discharged. The in- junction is pending. Though the Free Press has hired back some 220 former em- ployees, The News has not rein- stated any of its previous staff. Mr. Silverman believes Judge Wilks' ruling will be reversed. Besides, "We have no open- ings," he said. "If we do get an opening, we will look at the pref- erential hiring list [of locked-out workers]." Former Detroit Newspapers employee Marilyn Witt said there are some 40 locked-out Jewish newspaper workers who feel abandoned by the Jewish community and, more specifi- cally, by Mr. Silverman. "Silverman does not appear to follow Jewish doctrine; he is a sad example of a Jew," said Ms. Witt, now employed by the strikers' newspaper, The Sun- day Journal. She cites a Jewish Labor Committee article that points to the fact that the Jew- ish community has consistently supported legislative and policy issues of importance to the labor . movement. "The Jews of America should stand up for the American work- er, just as the labor movement has been an ally of the state and people of Israel," she said. Mr. Silverman would like to move beyond personalities and name-calling and get to the busi- ness of making The Detroit News 411 • • Detroit News Publisher Mark Silverman a substantive reflection of the community. The Boston native is an 11-year employee of Gan- nett Company, for which he has served in management positions with the Westchester Rockland Newspapers in White Plains, N.Y., the Rockford Register Star in Illinois and The Courier-Jour- nal. In April 1991, he joined Gannett's corporate staff as di- rector of the company's NEWS 2000 program, which grew out of brainstorm sessions convened 8PITZEP'6 HEBREW BOOK and GIFT CENTER, INC. Looking For Summer Fun? 4 44, MAH JONGG GAMES BOW \NOW ,zrks 'ow CID UJ (1) LLJ DESIGNER FRAMES FOR EVERYONE! SHERWOOD OFFERS A GREAT SELECTION OF UNIQUE & UNUSUAL GIFTS ALWAYS 30% OFF (MOST MFRS.) & COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAPPING LU LLJ 24 reg. $125.00 , 6644 Orchard Lake Road at Maple West Bloomfield • 248 855-1600 Mon-Thur-Fri 10-9 • Tue-Wed-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5 Internet: www.sherwoodstudiosinc.com E-mail: SherwoodWB@AOL.com SPECIAL PRICE $99.00 New Book Arrivals: The Bible Code by Michael Drosnin The Genesis of Ethics by Burton L. Visotzky New Low Price Dagesh 2.1 Hebrew Word Processor Orig. $199 Accent Express Orig. $79 Retail $ 139 Retail $49 AVROHOM PLOTNIK, Owner 21790 W. 11 Mile Road • Southfield • Harvard Row • 356-6080 OPEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS UNTIL 7:00