Loss of 475 jobs named top local story of 2013

The year 2013 was an eventful year for Jefferson City, with events such as the firing of a second city administrator in the past couple years and mold forcing the closure of the old Missouri State Penitentiary to tours. Last year, our newsroom picked the school districts plans for a new high school as our top story of the year. This year, we voted the failed vote to fund that plan as our No. 3 story.

But many in the newsroom agreed the top local story went to the story that was unquestionably bad news for our community: the closure of RR Donnelley and the loss of 475 jobs.

After reading these, let us know whether you agree or disagree. Did we miss or ignore something important? Let us know through comments on the online version of this story or on our Facebook page.

RR Donnelley, Jefferson Citys 12th largest employer, shut down its Jefferson City operations in October, leaving 475 employees without jobs. Many of the workers scrambled to stay employed, while some of the old-timers at the plant used a benefits package to either retire early or take time off before job-seeking.

The loss of jobs caused the city to lower its revenue projections by $50,000 for the current fiscal year. Donnelley, which never returned calls from the media after making its closure announcement, left despite a joint statement from Sen. Mike Kehoe and state representatives Mike Bernskoetter and Jay Barnes, who vowed to see if they could persuade the company to stay.

The facility was established in Jefferson City in 1964, as a part of the Von Hoffmann Press company. It specializes in printing and related business services, including print and digital publications. It has operations around the world, including other Missouri plants in Owensville and Liberty.

In mid-September, Nathan Nickolaus became the second city administrator to be fired by Jefferson City Mayor Eric Struemph.

In a closed session Sept. 16, the City Council voted 8-2 to fire Nickolaus after a standard evaluation of his performance, with 4th Ward Councilwoman Carrie Carroll and 3rd Ward Councilman Ken Hussey casting the opposing votes. Struemph had requested the motion to terminate Nickolaus contract, later saying Nickolaus lacked the necessary experience and failed to meet goals that had been laid out by the council.

Nickolaus was promoted to the city administrator position on an interim basis in May 2011, after the city fired former City Administrator Steve Rasmussen. At that time, Struemph said the reason for Rasmussens firing was that Struemph wanted his own management team on board. Prior to that, Nickolaus had served as city attorney since 2003. In December 2011, the council made the position permanent and, at the time, Struemph said Nickolaus had proven himself during the interim period.

Two weeks after being fired, Nickolaus began work as general counsel for Missouris Economic Development department.

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Loss of 475 jobs named top local story of 2013