Dear Journal Readers

[Richard Brekne]

Disturbing post you present us here John.

I suppose its no good asking why they should want to replace you.... 
even in general terms... but I will anyways. As an avid reader of the 
journal,  I am sure I speak for very many in saying what a wonderful job 
of illustrating  you have done.  Anyone who shall find themselves taking 
over is going to have quite an act to follow.

I sure would like to know what this is all about tho.  I dont like the 
uneasy feeling these kind of unanwered questions leaves in my stomach...

In anycase... Thanks for all your hard work

Richard Brekne

John Hartman wrote:

> Dear Journal Readers,
>
> Most of you are aware that I have been contracted by PTG to act as the 
> Journal’s Illustrator. This has been a job I have enjoyed immensely, 
> in large part due to the many e-mails and phone calls in which you 
> have expressed your kind support and friendly encouragement.  I can’t 
> fully express what this has meant to Chris and I over the last four 
> years except to say that your words help us to get through each 
> month’s work and ease us over the many rough spots along the way. I 
> feel particularly proud that the work I have been doing has helped to 
> facilitate the many of you who have written articles for the Journal 
> and encourages others to make plans to share their experiences with 
> the membership of PTG. Unfortunately, I find myself at an impasse that 
> will make it impossible for me to continue.
>
> In the May issue of the Journal you will read in the “Executive 
> Outlook” a call for people interested in becoming the Journal’s 
> Illustrator to apply for the position. There is also an ad running 
> toward the back of the Journal stating the same. As of this date I 
> have not been officially notified by the home office of their intent 
> to terminate my contract. I find it totally unacceptable to continue 
> to provide artwork for the Journal while our Board of directors seeks 
> my replacement.
>
> From what I hear from you, and can see with my own eyes, it is obvious 
> that the Journal is serving the membership better that ever before. 
> Advertising has substantially increased in the last four years which 
> goes a long way toward funding the artwork you now enjoy. Due to the 
> efforts of all of us working on the Journal you no longer expect it to 
> arrive weeks or even months late. Journal authors can now expect 
> better support than ever before. Their ideas will come to life with 
> professional quality illustration and photography. Articles are given 
> the full attention of a qualified graphic artist, Chris Hartman, so 
> that the artwork will blend perfectly with their words. I ask: what’s 
> wrong with the Journal and why does the Board now feel compelled to 
> make these changes?
>
> While for the most part I enjoy this job very much, in the last two 
> years I have been burdened with the ill will of our executive Board. 
> Last year they charged Bob Hohf, our Journal editor, with the job of 
> searching for my replacement. This was done behind all of our backs. I 
> was extremely hurt by their actions and have not yet received any 
> explanation for their dissatisfaction with my performance. This 
> activity along with the complete lack of support from our PTG leaders 
> over the last two years has cast a dark shadow over all of us working 
> to produce the Journal.
>
> There is a lot more I could go into but this letter is long enough as 
> it is. Contrary to how it may look in the May issue I have not quit 
> this job and for now I have not received my pink slip from the home 
> office. So I will continue on in this job in protest until our leaders 
> make up their minds to either stop harassing me or fire me outright.
>
> Doing this job in protest will mean that I will not be creating 
> illustrations or taking high resolution photos for your articles. 
> There will not be any new high quality article layouts or custom made 
> covers. In short Chris and I will sit here doing nothing until our 
> leaders make up their minds. You should expect to begin seeing the 
> results of these changes in the July issue.
>
> Again, thank you for your support and encouragement,
>
> John Hartman
> Chris Hartman
>
>
>
>
>
> John Hartman Pianos
[link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015]
> Rebuilding Steinway and Mason & Hamlin
> Grand Pianos Since 1979
>
> Piano Technician's Journal
> Journal Illustrator/Contributing Editor
>
>
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>