Echo: Firing a writer

How I hate the positions people put me in.

I had to fire someone yesterday from writing for the opinions section. Not entirely firing... I don't like to use that word because then I get power hungry... but I did have to let him go.

He was completely insubordinate - he didn't turn in his column AT ALL twice and never checked his e-mail, never communicated with me at all.

The worst part is that he is one of my fiance's *friends* so there may possibly be some awkwardness in the future.

But the funny part is (and call me evil I suppose) is that he's getting evicted. Which is no surprise considering the fact he got fired from his job (not the Echo, his actual real 40 hour a week job), and the fact that he's just completely and totally irresponsible. Case in point: He lives within a McKinley property which practically dominates the area. I live in one too with my fiance and everyone's rent is due the 1st. BTW, Schooner Cove, where I live, is pretty pricey, but the benefit is that's in a more rural area - next to all the rich homes! But anyway, his rent, and mine was due the first. That's now 25 days ago. Sometime after the first, but before the seventh, I know he, my fiance, and I all went to eat at Bennigan's. AND it was this guy's idea!!! I was intent on cooking dinner for everyone because HELLO! expensive gas and I'm trying to save money. But nope, he wanted to go so we went. He spent money on dinner when he KNEW he didn't pay rent! And then you're shocked and say on the phone to the person who was going to give you money if you turned in a column "I've been busy getting evicted." I'm sorry, but no.

I guess I'm kind of ranting, but this just reminds me of every single person out there who's puffing on a cigarrette saying "I'm so poor." Or watching your cable and saying "I'm so poor." Being on your internet and saying "I'm so poor." Those things are LUXURIES. When my fiance lost his job and I fractured my wrist last year, we cancelled our cable and internet. We don't do any type of drug (well maybe alcohol once in a while, but we're both over 21). We cut out every fun thing from our lives except each other and our cat.

I just despise people who insist they can't pay their bills, but yet they see the latest movie or buy a CD, or do drugs... where are people's priorities?