Steve Perry, the talented and reliably caustic editor of City Pages handed in his resignation Monday, ending 13 years, in two separate shifts, as the alternative weekly’s ruddering hand.
Perry cited more or less predictable philosophical differences with City Pages’ new(ish) corporate management, a recognition that journalism is moving on-line and that now was his time to bust a move in that direction. He offered praise to City Pages’ current publisher, Mark Bartel, (brother of Rake publisher, Tom Bartel).
The stories of writers and subjects getting bleeding rashes from Perry’s not-exactly warm and maternal personality are legendary, and pretty damned funny. But after making the obligatory rip on Perry’s prickly ‘tude, even the most offended conceded he was an unusually talented editor. Moreover, to political progressives so often dismayed at the compromised reporting/thinking of the mainstream media, Perry’s indignation was both timely and articulate. I’d like to think we’ll see his kind again soon. But I doubt it.
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