By Scott Sloan
ssloan@herald-leader.com
Former WKYT-27 reporter Jerry Sander filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday against the CBS affiliate, alleging he was improperly fired because of his age.
Jerry Sander
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District court in Lexington, the 62-year-old’s attorneys claimed the station’s news director “singled Mr. Sander out in front of the news team by frequently berating him and criticizing his story ideas.”
It was part of a pattern, the suit alleges, that also included management withholding pay raises and stripping him of his senior news reporter duties such as critiquing younger reporters’ work.
Sander claimed in the suit that the station “is systematically eliminating older employees on account of their ages.” No similar lawsuits have been filed against the station.
WKYT General Manager Wayne Martin said in a statement released Wednesday that Sander resigned his position with WKYT in February. Martin said Sander “subsequently filed for unemployment benefits, which the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Commission denied.”
“We are aware a lawsuit has been filed by Mr. Sander but we have not been served with the complaint. Therefore, we have no further comment,” he said.
Sander’s last day working at the station was Feb. 21 when he was assigned, the suit alleges, to produce Web site versions of all of WKYT’s stories, as well as the Sno-Go school and business closings.
The suit says Sander, a 26-year veteran of the station, told News Director Robert Thomas that he was not trained in the Sno-Go assignment. In response, “Thomas publicly berated Mr. Sander.”
Sander said he was feeling ill and the suit claims Thomas “ordered him to go home for the day and not return until told to do so.”
Sander met with Thomas and Martin four days later and was given the option to resign with no benefits, resign with a severance, be fired but receive unemployment benefits, or return to work, the suit said.
Sander told the Herald-Leader on Wednesday that he asked to return to work but had a phone conversation the next day with Martin who said that was no longer an option and “his last words to me were ‘This is strictly a business decision.’”
The two sides have since battled over unemployment benefits. Sander said Wednesday that the benefits were blocked initially by the station but he won a hearing. The station, though, appealed, he said and won that “based on the argument that I quit.”
Sander said he told one person at the station, Martin’s secretary, that he quit but later called to say he was emotional and didn’t mean it.
“That night on the phone with Wayne Martin I asked whether I had lost my job, and he replied ‘No, nothing like that,’” Sander said.
“To me, Robert Thomas and (executive producer) Michele Hill had wanted me out for quite some time,” Sander said, noting that Thomas had asked him if he planned to continue working until his contract expired at the end of 2012.
“He would also make snide remarks about the amount of money I made,” Sander said, adding that he was paid in the mid- to upper $80,000 range.
He sucked! It wasn’t because of age…this guy was horrible! It was about time they got him off the air and brought in good reporters!
Okay…this lawsuit is crazy! I was in broadcasting and a reporter for a short time and I know that all story ideas get critiqued in morning meetings…and my station definitely did not have a “senior reporter” to critique our work! That’s what the news directors job is! And…at my station we had to know about the internet and how to post stories. No if, ands, or buts about it! You have to do it!
This lawsuit is unreal! The guy tells the General Manager’s secretary that he quit, then realized…Hey…I can make some money off of this…and then alleged he was fired. Give me a break!
Go to another t.v. station buddy! You don’t always get praised for everything you do. It’s like any other job! Welcome to the real world of not always getting your way, and having competition!
I think Jerry was really a great man and this station took action to get rid of him is unbelievable. this a great reporter and worked for the station wsaz in Huntington W.VA for many years and you would do this to him because of his age. I turn my back on your station because of this and i hope that other people will turn to other station in the area and forget about this station. I’M sorry for this station and it’s actions.
this guy is CRAZY! I’ve seen his stuff…and it was not quality work…he’s just trying to get some extra cash…the tv business isn’t for kids…young or old…if your not good…then its time to say GOODBYE!
How is anyone that takes news this seriously going to say a reporter sucked? Have you read even half of the trash the Herald Leader writes? If they post this, i’ll pay myself for the bet. HL has terrible and biased reporters.
THat station needs a total overhaul, It’s a Lexington-based affilate though it seems it caters to the residents of Eastern Kentucky.
Dude, he was the worst news reporter EVER, worse than any of the suckers I EVER saw on WTVQ 36 which thoroughly blows monkey nuts! Man, suck it up and get a job doing something your good at, which is definitely not talking in monotone to a television camera stumbling on your script.
Jerry Sander was the whiniest most pathetic thing to ever get in front of a camera. His “medical reporter” crap was so bad that he confused more people than he educated. He was overrated and a total bore. Good riddance.
He really was terrable. He was the first WKYT reporter at the 5191 plane crash and it was just too embarassing to watch. Just awful.
Jerry Sander was an old style reporter, one that told the story directly and concisely without a bunch of hype and doublespeak like the younger reporters do. When Jerry covered a story, you knew what had happened. It is true that WKYT is systematically forcing out their older and more experienced news staff so they can hire entry level people who will work cheap. Look at the people that have disappeared this year along: Rene Charles, Jerry Sander, Drew Deener, Deann Stevens, Chris Baily to name some. All were good reporters. Do you think they all suddenly decided to leave for no reason at all, within that short period?
It’s no wonder that news viewership is down about 40% in the Lexington market this year (This was reported in the Herald Leader a couple months ago). With WTVQ falling apart, and WLEX going into snooze mode, and WKYT acting as if they were a small town station with entry lever reporters, the public is fed up with terrible newscasts that leave you with more questions than answers.
I hope Jerry Sander wins millions from the cheap-assed corporation that has taken over a good station and turned it into what it is today.
No disrespect to this reporter but when he was on air reporting a story he would often speak very very slow. I am sure in his prime he was a great news reporter. He seems like a very nice person. It appears to be nothing personal with this news channel in letting him go. I am sure they had to make a decision to find or retain news reporters that can effectively report on breaking and important news.
This guy was so terrible it was not funny.. He should have been fired long ago.. When he was on air I had to change the station.. Age discrimination? I am laughing!!!!
Are you serious..??? I have enjoyed his stories over the years, but my God, the guy was absolutely horrible over the past few years. It was very uncomfortable to watch this guy try to get through a report. Seriously, I will be a defense witness if needed, and I’m not kidding.
I agree with Lex REsident. Sometimes it seems like 75% of the news is for eastern Ky. They have a tv station, so it can’t be because 27 is the only channel they get. I’d like to hear about what’s going on in northern Ky and around Louisville once in a while. Even the weather broadcasts are also always zoomed in on eastern Ky. Although I like all the anchors at wkyt, I rarely watch 27 now because of their news/weather coverage.
I read these blogs/comments and I see a pattern that is very unnerving to me as a citizen of this Commonwealth. Here we have a man who has dedicated his life to bringing us the news. Good or bad he survived for over 30 years in the business, yet we throw him out like last nights leftovers. It is a sad state of affairs in todays world that we refuse to honor what those have done in the past that brings todays successes. You treat people as you want to be treated, I hope the station manager and others who made the decision to humiliate Mr. Sanders are not treated the same way when it’s their time to go.
Jerry, you did a great job for many years and those of us who respect your work will miss you.
I’ve been a Channel 27 viewer for quite a while, and although I don’t watch a whole lot of local news, I thought Jerry Sander did very well for this market. His delivery was good (non-distinct/non-regional accent), inflection was fine and his stories reflected a passion for what he was covering. He struck me as a serious reporter–and not a talking head wearing makeup. I pray you find peace in all this, Jerry.
I have to agree, watching him reporting was extremely painfull. The age discrimination is another issue, but seems like the guy should have progressed to something other than a reporter after that many years.
He was a REALLLLLLY bad reporter and hung on to that job for WAYYYY too long.
Even though a lot of us have seen this guy on TV for years, none of us know this man, so why is everyone automatically taking sides?
I think a lot of people jump to conclusions and think “oh, he is a sweet old man. it MUST be age discrimination.” But, take away his “sweet old man” facade, pretend it’s a middle-aged man, and re-read the story. It would then appear to be nothing more than a bitter man.
Not to mention the whole age discrimination act is pretty bogus, at least if it really applies in a situation such as this. Why shouldn’t WKYT be able to replace him with a more attractive and more able person? Attractiveness, likability, and dexterity are all traits of a good reporter. If WKYT finds a better person, why should the damn government prevent them from getting a better employee?
Speaking from my own experience as a reporter at WKYT, Jerry Sander was many things. He was a senior reporter, a person ‘green’ reporters could go to and ask for advice (they weren’t getting any feedback from management), an icon in the community (despite his lack of style or nasal sounding voice), a straigh-shooter, a friend and most of all Jerry loved his job and took it seriously. What WKYT’s News Director did was a selfish act. Regardless if one person thinks he is great, good or bad, Jerry Sander gave his life to WKYT. Robert Thomas has no intention of staying in Lexington. He is using WKYT as a stepping stone and he stepped all over many lives to get where he wants to be. WKYT lost a more than just a reporter with Jerry Sander, they lost someone who was dedicated to their job. So, for all of you out there who want to give your opinion on whether or not he was a good or bad reporter, it is insignificant. I saw it first hand, Jerry (and others) were harassed and pushed out the door by the News Director and Michele Hill. Many young reporters at WKYT have been able to move on to larger markets… and most of those reporters Jerry Sander helped become journanists. Thank you Jerry.
Jerry Sander seems like a very nice person and I wish him nothing but the best. As to the lawsuit; it appears to me that this decision by WKYT was strictly a business decision.
I believe the decision was maybe based on skill level and willingness to learn and do new tasks? If I quit my job everytime I was asked to do something new or different I would quit everyday!
Have been watching Sam, Barb, Bill, Deann, TG, Rob, Dave, Dick, Jerry and crew for years, I have grown up with these folks.. I hate to see any of them leave but change is sometimes good. IMHO, Jerry was not on his game the last couple of years, during the 5191 coverage I changed the channel because Jerry was so rude and interrupted so many times. I’m sure he was upset like the rest of us but he made a bad situation worse.
As to the people that have left WKYT over the last year.. if you search kentucky.com you will find the following:
Deann Stevens - Went to 98.1 The Bull in Lexington as a member of the morning show called the mooo crew. She still works with WKYT; I see her on all the time during the noon newscast and during big events like the Derby.
Rene Charles - moved to Peoria, Ill., where her husband took a promotion with Caterpillar Inc.
Chris Baily - went to WKYT’s sister station in the Huntington/ Charleston, WV. He replaced Todd Borek who took his place at WKYT.
Drew Deener - Went back into sportsradio in Louisville, he does a morning show on 970am.
Around the same time these folks were leaving WKYT hired: Officer Don, Ryan Lemond, Todd Borek, Brandon Fisher, etc.. I don’t know for sure but Officer Don and Ryan Lemond can’t be cheap. Even if they saved money with Todd and Brandon (unlikely) they gave what they saved back to Officer Don and Ryan.
I will end this reply the same way I started it… Jerry Sander seems like a very nice person and I wish him nothing but the best. As to the lawsuit; it appears to me that this decision by WKYT was strictly a business decision.
hey, exkyreporter: i don’t who this news director is. i guess you don’t see them on the tv. but i think kyt is much better now than it was. the last guy had interns and some real jokers (no offense to you) on the news reporting.
as for your comment that regardless of if he was good or bad, sanders should have been kept around. get real. that’s not how the world works. i can see why you’re an ex-reporter.
I can say that I know Jerry Sander, I first met him while I was working at Lexington Center/Rupp Arena. He was not someone that I knew well but I did know him on somewhat of a first name basis. He was very passonate about his job and seemed to really enjoy his work. Having known a couple of reporters at KYT, I can tell you that he was well respected among his peers and is an icon of Lexington television. It’s clear that Lexington television as whole is going through some dynamic changes but to more less run off Jerry Sander that is clearly going in the wrong direction.
Sander can’t be half as painful to watch as that frump weather woman on channel 18 Kristy Kubovick…..I get so tired of hearing her say the same thing over, and over, and over, and over….all within 30 seconds. She has the vocabulary of a tickle me elmo toy. I have been an 18 devoted watcher for years, but since she came in I change the channel when she starts talking.
Semper Fi
I think that this reporter was unjustified in the firing. I believe that he was let go and mistreated due to his age. I enjoyed his reporting. Of course he may not be the top notched guy like some of these younger ones but he busted his butt to bring the news to you. Have you tried to do what he done daily? Go out and get the facts, stand in front of a camera? Have you? If not, then there is no use in you setting at your computer judging him and his manhood. I rather hear his reporting that some of the reporters from WYMT. Get real folks. Jerry, I wish you the very best in what ever you set out to do. Sure do miss you on the news. You are missed.
It is unfortunate the Mr. Sander’s removal was handled so poorly, but based on the facts portrayed, it does not appear that his removal was due to age discremination. I had the good fortune of watching Mr. Sander’s myself and frequently felt embarressed for him and personally questioned the judgement of his superiors for continueing to allow him to be an on-air personality. The media’s ability to differentiate themselves to gain market share is dependent upon the face that they present with their on-air personalities. Case in point - examine the ‘professional photo’ attached to this story - Mr. Sander’s appears unkept in the least and sloppy at best - his hair needs trimmed, his shirt is too small which does not allow the collar to button correctly and his tie is awkwardly crooked in the picture. In an industry where the majority of market share is garnered through image - this is just not an image I would want reflected for my company.
Yes the studio could have done a much better job of being honest with Mr. Sanders and moving him into a position that would allow him to maintain his personal dignity - but their actions are not criminal. Rather, management was doing what they must to protect the livelihood of all of their employees but protecting their brand.
Regardless of what you might say about the noble profession of being a reporter, the job of a TV reporter is to draw viewers for the station. Television is …duh…a visual media, so what you look like and how you carry yourself are factors in how well you do your job. If the news station wants to appeal to a younger, more upbeat audience, they might want to put a younger face on the TV screen. The age discrimination arguement does not apply to TV, just like it does not apply to many other jobs.
Should 50 year old former NFL players, legends in the sport, sue because they are no longer able to make the cut to be on the team? No. Their speed and strength have faded and they cannot contribute to the team the way they did when they were 28.
Should 50 year old supermodels who have graced the covers of Vogue and Sports Illustrated sue because they no longer are on those covers? No. Their beauty has changed and is no longer what magazines want to pay to have on their covers in the supermarkets.
For a salary in the mid to upper 80,000 range, Jerry should have grown a thicker skin and held on until 2012. Many of us have had to grow a thicker skin than his for our jobs and we are paid FAR less.
Speaking from my own experience as a reporter at WKYT as well..
It’s common in today’s world for employers to use the term “business decision” as an out, when case in point, they simply disliked the person.
The out-of-towner News Director, Mr. Thomas showed the door to countless reporters and producers and a few photographers just in his first 4 months on the job.
He is a complete joke. He may have a “vision” on the way news should be delivered but the way he handles his interaction with people is despicable.
Jerry Sander may have had a “slow-delivery,” and was definitely a different voice on the television, but his leadership and experience was unmatched. He was aggressive and got his job done, plus more. If you saw him on tv, you know for sure he was covering a big story.
It sucks that this News Director has literally “crapped” on the local talent and has hired “out of towners” who are totally disconnected from the local market.
I agree that Robert Thomas has no intention of staying in Lexington. He is using WKYT as a stepping stone and he stepped all over many lives to get where he wants to be.
Just sucks, that the man who hired him has totally forgot why he was brought in.
It’s totally totally sad.
Hope the courts side with Jerry and stick it to the management of WKYT..they need to be woken up and recieve a shakeup/reality-check.
I agree with Lex Resident and Tanyatg that Lexington news stations focus primarily on Eastern Kentucky news. I have to watch Louisville to know what’s going on in the rest of the world….Eastern KY has their own television coverage from Huntington WV…I live in Central KY and can’t get Central KY news or weather from a Central KY station.
As another ex-reporter, I can say that the public would be very surprised at what goes on behind the scenes at a news station. Yes, you must have thick skin in order to survive. Jerry was tough or he wouldn’t have lasted 30 years. Has anyone wondered why a wonderful, experienced female anchor has been replaced by younger, inexperienced, sing-song, hard-to-understand woman? Television is unfortunately no longer about substance but rather trash tv. It isn’t the news that’s fit but rather the news that fits and is easy to chew up and spit at the viewers. It’s disgusting. Jerry tried to do stories that matter and impact people in a way that a fender-bender or scum-on-scum crime does not. And yes, he asked annoying questions at press conferences, but he was asking those questions on behalf of the viewer. My perception was that he was trying to get real responses and not canned answers. Newsrooms have become meat grinder environments as stations fight for dwindling viewership and advertising dollars. It’s a pity that news is no longer seen as a public service but rather as a cash cow.
I recently retired after 35 years in my profession. The last few years I was asked to do tasks that I didn’t really want to do, however I knew I had to do them in order to finish out my career. Life is not fair. Don’t whine just do your job. Cooperate and be a part of the team. That was my advice to all newcomers to the firm. Nobody owes me anything. Don’t put me on that jury.
Mike’s comments hit it right on the head. The guy may have not been the best at what he did, but you can’t just boot him because he’s old. Remember, all of us, if we live long enough, will be considered OLD someday. I live in northern Kentucky and the last remaining daily newspaper up here does the same thing to its reporters when they start picking up a little age and are receiving a bigger salary. It’s flat out wrong to do people this way.
I used to record his segments and play them back on fast-forward to make them seem like they were real time. Lee Cruise is still the worst thing on Lexington TV though.
Jerry dedicated his whole career to this sorry assed excuse for a station. He deserves his day in court. I knew something was up when this past summer several employees left within a week or so of each other. This station was/is down sizing and we don’t know their tactics they engage in behind closed doors. I have been in a down sizing situation and for you kids that think you know it all, you don’t know jack…these companies use all kinds of tactics to get rid of employees to reduce payroll to make room for kids that will work for pennies.
Futhermore, Jerry’s pace at which he spoke was great..these Kids think you have to speak at 100 miles a minute…I guess they think the news should be like texting.
Jerry Sander was probably one of the worse News Reporters out there. Though I agree with one other comment that WKYT-27 needs an over-haul, Jerry needed to have been replaced a long time ago. Jerry was extremely boring. WKYT has lost alot of good people and good ratings because of ‘bad business’ decisions and that’s the reason my family has switched to WLEX-18 for all our News. Sports and Weather. And I would encourage others to the same. Switch to one of the other stations.
Wayne Martin needs to resign himself as well.
Jerry the EEOC would love this case…Good luck friend.
I rank them worst to best:
worst - WTVQ 36
middle - WLEX 18
best - WKYT 27
You can’t beat Bill Bryant with a stick! He is the man!
what happened to Jim Ogle as News Director at KYT?
Jerry was terrible, but in his defense he was no worse than any of the other “reporters” on WKYT or it’s sister station, WYMT. They really need to clean house, improve salaries, and hire some people who know what they’re doing — starting at the top. Any news director who is worth his or her salt would be embarrassed to work for either of these stations.
Am I the only one that noticed that in all the quotes there was never anything said about his age? It was because he didn’t know how to use the internet, and the director thought his stories sucked. Newsflash for you, if my boss doesn’t like the work I am doing he is going to tell me about it. As far as I know there is no law against doing it publicly. I don’t see how he has a case.
regarding jerry sander are we seniors allowed to view this fountain of youth chanel?we would never do the forbidden!
I’m not at all surprised they finally fired Jerry and I can’t say I blame them.
He was egotistical, self-centered and hopelessly arrogant. He asked leading questions and basically tried to badger sources into saying what he wanted them to say.
Not only that, but he was a jerk. While reporting an event as a student newspaper reporter from UK, Jerry berated me in front of a roomful of other reporters. I should point out that even though other journalists may not have assigned me the same level of importance as I was a student, none of them were outright derogatory or so willing to puff themselves up in front of others at my expense.
And now, Jerry is back trying to get back in the limelight. Predictable and sad.
Too bad it wasn’t Rob Bromley. He’s the worst.
I have known Mr. Jerry Sander for nearly 30 years both personally as well as being a loyal viewer. Anyone who can say a negative word about Mr. Sander obviously has no idea about journalistic standards (I have a BA in broadcast journalism). Please do not give opinions if you have no knowledge of how a job is to be done. Mr. Sander is an excellent man and journalist. To anyone who thinks or posts to the contrary, I strongly disagree. This is the first time I have ever posted a comment and it will probably be the last. Basically, all of you negative people need to find better things to do with your time than publish negative comments…honestly I find your classless mean comments as pathetic attempts to drag another person into your miserable meaningless lives.
They can probably get two young reporters who can work with emerging technology for what they’re paying this guy. Ad sales are down + $80K+ salary = business decision.
I have viewed Jerry Sander for years. I am from the Huntington viewing area. I watched him there and then watched him here. Jerry was a no nonsense reporter who stated facts. He did not embelish his stories with a lot of jibber jabber. In my opinion, he was an excellent reporter. That is what the TV stations need, a senior repoorter who can commentate an excellent story, giving only facts. I feel badly for Jerry. So, in the next few years are Bill, Barb, Sam, TG, Rob, Dick G,Mravin all going to be fired? I agree, there is some reason that all of the seasoned reporters are gone from the once great KYT. Now you all are “blessed” with that silly Brandon Fisher who feels the need to try his lame approach at being a commedian. He is especially bad on the Fox 56 newscast. Enough said, I am not saying anything about the legal things. It is just bad to treat anyone such as Jerry was treated. It gives the station a really bad reputation. Don’t be surprised when your ratings drop.
WKYT is a dump! Jim Ogle (no longer there) is an opportunistic blowhard. Lex REsident is right on the money. It needs a total overhaul! The grunts who work there are the best in the world! The management team is what’s wrong with our entire country–a bunch of marginally (that’s generous) talented do nothings. Complete maintain the stats quo, don’t put a dime into the place type of good ‘ole boys. Jerry Sanders is a first-rate guy. When I left he was sharing an office on the bottom floor with a director (probably after taking away his stapler….GREEAAT). Go get ‘em Jerry. And good luck.
Business decisions are business decions. I agree with the comment about the football team. If you get a new football coach, you can’t expect them to keep the same players. You have to constantly look for better players to make sure you make it to the playoffs and win. And…with new coaches means new players. You have to be willing to learn new things and work hard, and if you keep getting beat then somethings wrong and that coach is going to find someone who can play better, or report better in this case. It’s the bosses jobs to get the best people they can so why are they being bashed for it. I will continue to watch WKYT. I think they do a great job and I enjoy their news and weather. As for Jerry, I hope you realize how ridiculous this seems to the public.
For those of you who say Jerry Sander needs to get a tougher skin, how difficult do you think it is to turn down a severance package based on your integrity? Would you have the courage or tough skin to do that? Give that some thought.
As to Mr. Sander’s abilities, he has covered the news for nearly 40 years including some things you’ve never heard about such as the Marshall football team plane crash, the Buffalo Creek Flood Disaster, and numerous stories involving coal mine strikes, etc. He is not just limited to Lexington.
I always enjoyed watching him because he tried to do the best with a news story even when it was monotonous house fires or car wrecks.
For those of you with very biting comments, I can only say, your day too will come. You, hopefully, will work at something you care about deeply, do your best, and then basically get kicked to the curb because your age is showing. And believe me, if you live long enough, it will. Age does not determine your capabilities, but most young people have no respect for what the older generation did to get them started on the road in life or in a profession. I know this because I was very young once too and now look back and think how damn stupid I was. To those of you who think Mr. Sander wants to get millions, you are being damn stupid too. Employement law doesn’t pay millions. Duh!
I have watched WKYT every since I was little. I liked the way all the newscaster did. UNTIL flight 5191. When the Comair president held his news conference and Jerry Sanders asked him how news of the crash made him feel????!!!!????. What idiot would ask a question like this? I could no longer watch this man give news reports.
amber philpot, news anchor? give me a break. Martin(wayne) since you guys at 27 are so in love with eastern ky, you should go back to Pikeville with the former love guv. Kyt is going down. Good luck Jerry.
Saunders was so bad, I would change channels in order NOT to hear his reports. His delivery was bad as well as uninspired, and if he wrote his own reports, they were poorly written, sometimes horrible.
I started watching WKYT again after he left.
TV personalities are just salespeople. All the stations give the news, but people watch the one that is most entertaining. If Jerry was losing his ability to entertain, then he should move on, just like any other salesperson who cannot meet quota.
All these horrible comments are uncalled for. Sanders is a helluva lot better than people like Travis Thompson or Chase Cain and for WKYT to do what they did is unacceptable, and WKYT is my favorite station! You all should be ashamed of yourselves.
For many of us who work within the walls of WKYT, I can tell you what disgust we have for Robert Thomas and Michele Hill. Even worse that Wayne Martin knows exactly what they are doing and refuses to
do anything about it! I applaud Jerry Sander because I feel he saved many of our jobs. That is the older generation which Robert has been diligently escorting to the door.
There is a saying here for those of you who watch the 6p and 11p news- DECISIONS ARE NOT BASED ON TALENT. We all know this to be true.
By allowing some of the most talented people to walk out the door, it has already taken a toll on our ratings…July ratings? Have you checked them out?
Chris Bailey, Deann Stephens, Renee Charles, Drew Deener, etc
A group of people who were sick and tired of the way they were being treated and refused to tolerate what is going on within these walls.
I wish the rest of us had their confidence.
As for Jerry, he was one of the most talented writers, eloquent speakers, and I’d put him up against anyone when it came to being quick on your feet. The young ones we have here now could certainly learn quite a bit from him. But trust me, they will learn nothing from a News Director who stays behind closed doors with our EP and has no backbone to stand up to her and make decisions.
I hope each and everyone of us are called to testify. We are REQUIRED to tell the truth under Oath. I have a feeling the truth will set Jerry Sander free.
I agree that these people that have said very mean degrading things will have their day. I have seen this time after time come true. People that make these type of statements usually haven’t lived long enough to learn this rule “what comes around goes around”…and when they realize this rule to be true…it has sneaked up on them and bit em right in the a s s..yes if you are one of these people your day is coming and you will remember these word when it happens to you.
Someday, all those who are disparaging Jerry will be “old,” and their flippant attitude toward age discrimination will change the first time a younger person gets the job over them, is taken in line before them, is given deference to their opinion, is permitted to do things that the elderly people would never be allowed to do.
Age discriminaion is a very real issue, and whether Jerry’s view of what actually happened are true or not, he still deserves the SAME consideration as any person of color or other minority would be given.
I am sickened by the attitude of some of the people who have posted ugly, rude and misinformed comments here today.
WKYT did it’s veiwers a favor. Unfortunately, Mr Sanders was a very dismal reporter to watch. I have always enjoyed the WKYT newscasts and have been watching since a child, i’m now 33. For the viewers that don’t get it about EKY. WKYT has had a great interest in that area of KY. They started WYMT in Hazard. As a former resident of EKY, now living in Lexington, I viewed WKYT more than the Hazard station because of it’s quality. I have given the other stations in Lexington a few views, but insist WKYT’s reporting is much more indepth and personalbe. I refuse to watch anything that is associated with NBC and GE, which includes channel 18. WTVQ is not in the same league as WKYT. Long live 27Newsfirst and remember, 18’s way of saying they are number one is not factual if you look at the viewing area, WKYT kills them with EKY viewers. Kentucky reaches farther than the Golden Triangle and that’s why WKYT is number 1.
First of all I think Mr. Sander was a good reporter and was dedicated to his job.
Second of all everyone keeps putting him down and don’t even know him. You don’t know what it was like to work for the bosses he worked for. And when you work for bosses that are too hard, well it makes it hard to concentrate on your job. So, just give him a break. Remember you all will be 62 years old someday too.
And Mzbelieve you need to learn to spell. So, I bet you will never be a teacher or much of anything, because obviously you need to go back to grade school.
i think jerry is the nicest person you can talk to and work as a intern @wkyt and i got to work with him.
a. don’t bash him
b. you the bashers you suck way dont you try to his job
and c good buddy go to wlex tv the best tv station in lex go nacy cox, kevin, bill, and mary jo you guys rock in lexington
Having been interviewed personally by Sander, I can say he was arrogant, pushy and just wanted to play “gotcha” journalism. And I was a reporter too. He never called ahead, he just wanted to barge into places of businesses (a school system) and ask leading questions. And then when I wouldn’t slip up and tell him what he wanted to hear, he wouldn’t use the quotes, but found some troublemakers in the community that would back up what he wanted to portray - not the way I was taught to do journalism. And does anyone remember him doing a remote on a murder or manhunt story saying “the suspect left the car behind me and lived here” and then Bill Bryant or Sam Dick had to come back on and say the car he was referring to did not belong to the suspect? this was shortly before he resigned. He basically implicated some innocent person of wrong doing.
I, too, used to work at WKYT, and I can tell you that Jerry was a pretty complicated guy. He could be very gruff and whiney, but also good-natured and sensitive once he’d said his peace. (His nickname around the newsroom was “Jer-Bear.”)
Back when I worked there, Jerry had a very cushy job as a health reporter, and often got two or three days to put together stories that were arranged for him by the PR departments of the local hospitals. Other days, he would just narrate stories that came from elsewhere, like the Mayo Clinic or CNN. When they forced him to become just another reporter, it seemed to hurt his feelings, and his annoyance at having to do grunt work in the field often was evident in his reports.
In addition to his nearly anchor-level salary, Jerry had something like six weeks of vacation a year and was the only reporter who had his own private office (in order to accommodate the pipe smoking that he refused to give up). While I think it’s a shame what’s happened, it’s hard to argue that he was earning all that anymore.
By the way, to “TV person,” you could hire about THREE young reporters and a photographer for what Jerry was making.
Never heard of him. But from the headshot, I’d say he’s better off in radio.
I have never responded to a blog but this will be my first.
I agree with my fellow bloggers: BradB, LWatcher & especially Justin hit it on the nail head.
Perhaps the people who are commenting on Mr Sanders’ departure should learn how to spell, put concise thoughts in print and learn the English language before they criticize others.
I was never a fan of Jerry Sander. However, I had nothing against his reporting. I do think that Rob Bromley has pretty much worn out his welcome and am surprised that he has not made his exit. And I agree totally with some who think that news and weather coverage is geared more toward viewers in eastern Kentucky. I don’t know why this should be the case when WKYT’s sister station in Hazard should cover that part of the state adequately. I do strongly think that Barbara Bailey and Bill Bryant make a superb team. And Sam Dick holds his own admirably. The most exciting move that WKYT has made recently is to bring in Mark Kennedy, whose television presence is outstanding, and Brandon Fisher, whose zeal for sports (and his coverage of sports) is contagious and excellent. He is a reporter extraordinaire. It is my impression that WKYT tends to hire new, young, good-looking reporters who, in my view, give the station a real zest. I am sorry that Mr. Sander was dismissed–though it does seem that he could not very well decide whether he wanted to quit or be terminated. No offense to the man, but I had not even noticed that he was gone. I guess that surely says something. I still watch only WKYT at noon and at the dinner hour–and again at 11. I will continue doing just that. WLEX doesn’t count with me, and WLEX has a lethargy that we would hope is not terminal.
I have known Jerry Sander and his family for almost 30 years. To call him arrogant & egotistical couldn’t be farther from the truth!! I have watched him handle stories with much more sensitivity and compassion than most reporters for other stations in town.
This law suit is not about a big pay off. If you knew Jerry, you would know that would never be the issue. He wants his good name & integrity back…which is well deserved.
I don’t think he would have been kept in the Lexington market for as long as he was if he was a lousy reporter. Those comments were uncalled for and have nothing to do with the lawsuit…shame on you all!
Remember, there are always 3 side to every story..his, theirs, & the truth. Hopefully, the truth will come out and it will be on Jerry’s side.
Jerry, we wish you the best of luck!!
It’s obvious viewers have different opinions on the tv personalaties who deliever the news. That’s the reason we can all switch the channel anytime we don’t like what we see on the air.
Jerry Sanders is a bitter old man, who wasn’t good at his job, lost out on the good ole boy network and solidified his future at WKYT when he said I quit.
If you want to know the honest truth about this television market, compared to the sewage spewed in above posts, it comes down to this.
WKYT was on a downward spiral, Robert Thomas came in to fix it, that’s why their were changes, no more interns on air and people with energy, but also a lot of the people who left, did so on their own, just like Jerry Sanders did.
WKYT covers a bigger range of Central Kentucky than any station in town, even with the departures, they have some of the more experienced news people in town and have brought in some good talent to replace the departures.
The news covers better stories(Kennedy,Dorsett are great, Evans needs to fix the drawl), the weather is great and the sports is hands down the best in town.
WLEX has some experienced people like Nancy Cox and Kevin Christopher, Bill Meck is arrogant, but top notch at what he does.
Their news is just as good as WKYT, but they both have different looks. Their weather is probably the best, but the sports is god awful. Alan Cutler is pathetic, Mary Jo…awful and could some slap some personality into Justin White, stiff as a board.
WTVQ does good stuff time to time, but with their situation, it wouldn’t be fair to compare, when they go HD and fix their look, then they can join the club. Megan Newsquist was solid, weather is awful and the sports is decent.
From reading the posts, there is a lot of older people who don’t like change and are not used to the way tv has been changing. The one truth in television is on air talent changes every day, the one constant is the news. Everyone remembers the story, if you can remember who told it, then they did it right. People come and go in this business, if you don’t like it, push the button that says off.
I just want to point something out to all of you. If you recall in the article Mr. Sander quit his job. His unemployment compensation claim was rejected. The only way a claimant is turned down is if they quit their job or by gross neglegence. This is obviously not the case. Mr. Sander quit his job plain and simple. And to those of you “former” wkyt employees who are full of comments, the majority of you were not fired or driven out. Your contracts probably expired and you needed to go. News Directors need to make those tough choices. If you thought that you would be a 30 year employee?? you were obviously delusional because you know full well that is not how tv works. The average life of a reporter, anchor, writer, producer is at most 5 years. The News director life span is even shorter. We all have our opinions on Mr. Sander and I think it is better that we all stop the name calling and stop the finger pointing. TV is a tough business and those of you not in it have no idea. As for the News Director and EP using Lexington as stepping stones??? well, don’t we all use our jobs and current positions as stepping stones to get to the next level? If you don’t well then good luck to you because you are a rare breed of human.
I work at one of WKYT’s competitors. While we enjoy seeing all this turmoil and dirty laundry being aired, I must give credit where credit is due. Up until recently, we did not care what WKYT did because they were no longer a threat. Regardless of whether you agree with all the changes (like Jerry Sander’s departure), you can’t deny WKYT is better now than it was. Personally, I long for the return of the days when Jerry and some of those other ex-KYT reporters showed up on the scene. No matter what we did, I knew we wouldn’t get beat. It was like we were guaranteed a slam dunk.
This situation does not surprise me. In a brief period, Rene Charles leaves the desk, Chris Bailey leaves morning weather and they hire some nut instead of putting in Lauren Raymer, and now the Jerry Sanders scandal. Does anyone think maybe he was driven into a situation where quitting was the best option…This sounds a lot like the case in Louisville where a long-standing news figurehead was fired to cater more towards a youthful audience. Cheers, Big Television, you are the most corrupt business in America!
You can’t argue the numbers, and right now WKYT is on the rise and rising fast.
WLEX is the one who should be worrying, because they are doing nothing different.
WKYT is always trying new things (For the last two-years.) They are by far the innovator in this market and it clearly shows in the ratings.
Jerry, I wish you the best, but come on.
I have had the good fortune to meet Mr. Sander personally and have viewed his stories for some years. I think he is an excellent reporter as he relates to all people, not just a select few. Everyone has the right to their opinion, however, these negative comments reflect a lack of empathy for other people. In this day and time, being unemployed is a serious issue. This applies to everyone regardless of their chosen profession.
Had you truly read the news story, you should have noted that Mr. Sander had a contract that was breached. It is not just age discrimination. Who breached the contract will be determined by people far more knowledgeable than those who compare working as a journalist to being a famous football player.
To: Rocky
What do you mean? Jerry ‘QUIT’ according to the article. So ‘HE’ breached the contract.
I mean, I’m not on contract, but anyone can figure that one out.
Sander’s quality of reporting had indeed slipped in recent years. But any station that replaces Barbara Bailey with Amber Philpot can hardly deny that they’re making age-based decisions.
Rebecca,
Do you believe everything you read and do you think it is all inclusive? If so, you don’t understand newspapers either. We readers don’t know all the circumstances surrounding this case and we may never. It’s always good to know what you don’t know.
Don’t forget, everyone. Jerry Sander had a contract with more than four and a half years of employment remaining on it. I know for a fact that WKYT signed Jerry to that contract A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, meaning the contract length was for at least 6 or 7 years! Jerry must have been viewed as a valuable member of WKYT to have been signed to such a lengthy contract. Not only that, over the past 15 years or so, Jerry worked under numerous multi-year contracts, with pay raises. When one would expire, WKYT signed him to a new one, for multiple years. Why would the company do that? The answer is because they placed value on his excellent reporting ability and strong name recognition in the marketplace - yes, all “business decisions.” However, WKYT Management’s view of Jerry changed recently and managers appeared to humiliate and pressure him into sputtering “I quit,” though he didn’t mean it, and almost immediately rescinded the statement. But WKYT had him right where it wanted him and cut him loose. Why didn’t WKYT work more with Jerry to update his look and provide patient training on new technology? Anyone 40 or older should view future developments in this case, and a potential jury trial, with interest. With an aging Baby Boomer generation, you’ll be seeing a lot of this happening in the workplace as older, more expensive workers are forced out. Everyone’s days in TV must end some time, right Barbara B., Sam D., Rob B., TG and Bill B.? It could happen to you.
I HAVE WATCH JERRY ON 27 NEWS FOR YEARS
FROM HIS MEDICAL REPORT TO HIS STORY ON THE
THE RESUE OF HOMER ( DOG ). I ALWAYS THOUGHT HE PUT HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO EVERY STORY HE DID.
HE HAD TO BE A GOOD REPORT TO LAST 30 YEARS
COULD YOU LAST 30 YEARS IF YOU SUCKED AT YOUR JOB?
A TOP NOTCH REPORTER LIKE JERRY SHOULD HAVE EARNED
MORE THAN $ 80,000 .
JERRY YOU DESERVE TO WIN YOUR LAWSUIT
GOOD LUCK & BET THE PANTS OFF OF THEM
What ever happened to Lannie Braddock and Cori Lake? Atleast Jerry was better than them.
Like the plaque on my Mother’s kitchen wall, “Just like coffee we will all get old and weak someday”. Those of us who have achieved that status know what it’s like. I have watched Jerry Sanders both in Huntington and Lexington for many years. When he finished a report, you knew what happened. Look at the national news networks, all female, more Hooters girls than reporters. KY has more media markets than almost any state around. Like it or not, Lexington people, you are a part of eastern KY and it’s coverage area. Who do you think proped up your economy over the years. Maybe a little coal money? If you want Northern KY or Louisville news change the channel. What are you going to do about Paducah news or Bowling Green news or Owensboro. If you knew anything about our state you would also know about St Louis, Evansville, Nashville and Cincinnati. Do you think there is a TV station in FT Wright or Dayton, KY? Do you think people in Fulton or Marshall counties give a s**t about Lexington? Unlike the sun, Lexington is not the center of the universe.
I have known Jerry for for more than 25 years. I worked with him at WKYT for nine years when I was both Chief photographer and Special Projects Producer-Photographer.
I worked with Jerry almost everyday when he was a full time medical reporter. We also worked most holidays together. I can truly say there is not a reporter with more integrity, talent, and substance than Jerry Sander. He is the best television news writer I have worked with over the years. He always approached his stories with both compassion and clarity. The facts were always his focus, not the flair.
I’d like to remind y’all that we all age but it does not mean that we become irrelevant. Sadly, the public and news management seem to demand a cute young thing one year out of J school more than a reporter who understands the community, understands the issues and understands the world around them.
All I know is that this would not have ever happened under Ralph Gabbard and Ken Kurtz. Experience counts!
John Daviis
Alpenwolf Productions
Sacramento, Ca.
I been watching 27 news for many long years and I think Jerry did a great job as a reporter! Maybe Jerry is getting older but who is perfect jerry should had been able to keep his contract untill 2012.
WKYT should have given him severance and paid the unemployment. It was a stupid move both politically and financially. Defending an employment discrimination suit will cost them at minimum 250K. That, of course, has nothing to do with the decency of firing a veteran reporter in this manner.
As a journalist I’ve been a couple of upheavals. If management was better in the content and that vision thing areas television and print journalism might be doing better. I’m sick of watching college kids in corporate mandated ‘looks’ — down to the makeup and hair cuts — reading rehashed news. There is no such thing as a ‘reporter’ any longer.
As for the posters slamming this reporter remember you’re aging every day and some day will find yourself the senior in your field and getting dumped on daily when management decides you no longer fit the mold. Here’s hoping you acquire some integrity from an older mentor before that happens.