A first in the history of literature

A first in the history of literature

Veteran journalist and author George Duncan was abruptly fired from his job at The Baker County Standard in Macclenny, Florida this past week. The reason? According to interim editor Michelle Harris, the Board of Directors led by LaViece Smallwood decided to terminate him after he received a book review by North Florida News Daily.

That was her reasoning in a Sunday morning phone call to Duncan telling him of the termination. Ironically, he was out-of-town for a book signing held the night before when he received the call.

George Duncan

Duncan, who has written several novels, a book of short stories and various articles in e-magazines came to Baker County from Virginia where he worked as an editorial writer with the Daily News-Record in Harrisburg.

His work has been reviewed in many newspapers and on several websites, but the recent review by North Florida News Daily apparently ruffled feathers at The Standard. He was chided for being reviewed by "a rival" and was questioned on "how he knew those people" days before the termination, according to an employee of the newspaper.

North Florida News Daily first broke the story in May of how The Baker County Standard printed the incorrect tax rolls for Baker County labeling more than 360 businesses and individuals as delinquent taxpayers after they had already paid their property taxes.

Obviously the company was fully within their rights to terminate an employee, ethically, however, their corporate behavior raises red flags as to existing management problems.

"Being fired for a good review is undoubtably a first in the history of literature," said Mr. Duncan. "I hope it doesn’t catch on or all the writers will be quitting their day jobs."

Previous stories:

www.northfloridanewsdaily.com/News/2008/0804/movies/180.html

www.northfloridanewsdaily.com/News/2008/0526/top_news/160.html