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Village Voice Media executive editor Mike Lacey showed up yesterday at the OC Weekly offices and created some ruffled feelings. Lacey brought along VVM executive managing editor Christine Brennan and executive associate editor Andy Van De Voorde. Their group gathering with the staff to address last week's resignation of OC Weekly founding editor Will Swaim apparently went OK. In conference room 3-on-1's afterward, however, at least some staffers felt disrespected by the interrogating execs from Phoenix. "They were not complimentary; they made us feel small and lame and as though we should feel lucky to have jobs," says one. It was also made clear there would be no editor promoted from within. Upshot: Swaim left immediately rather than stick around for a transition period, Steve Lowery was made interim editor, and music editor Chris Ziegler reportedly also quit. There's gossip that LA Weekly deputy editor Joe Donnelly considered taking the OC Weekly job but decided to remain in Los Angeles.
* Also: The opening went up on Journalism Jobs today, with Lowery's name spelled wrong. There will be a test: "Village Voice Media is looking for an editor to lead the award-winning staff at the OC Weekly. We want an editor with news and feature experience, someone who can help staffers generate superior magazine-length stories and guide beginning writers as well as accomplished ones. The ideal candidate will be able to edit and write, leading by example rather than by dictate. The interview process will include an extensive editing test."