Augusta paper's biz editor leaving for PR job

Damon Cline, the business editor of the Augusta Chronicle, is leaving the paper to become public information specialist at the Medical College of Georgia’s Division of University Advancement.

In Monday’s paper, Cline writes, “My favorite assignment, without a doubt, has been covering business news for The Augusta Chronicle during the past decade. Ten years is not long compared to many journalism careers – there are people who sit less than 50 feet from me who have been in the business nearly a half-century – but it is the longest tenure of any business reporter/editor in modern history at The Chronicle, a publication known as ‘The South’s Oldest Newspaper.’

“The next crop of business journalists is ready to bring you the local financial news of the day. I leave the business section of this newspaper in the capable hands of senior business reporter Tim Rausch, who will be taking over in the interim while my full-time replacement is sought. Tim’s interim duties also include taking over this column, so, after I am gone, Scuttlebiz will live on.

“During my time in Augusta, I’ve seen a handful of PR shills try to make a buck by masquerading as business journalists. I can assure you that Tim and business reporter LaTina Emerson will continue to be your No. 1 source for local business news. No one else does it better, and you know it. That’s why you keep coming back for real news day in, day out.”

Read more here.