Carpetbaggers

One thing you could say about the never-ending exodus of experienced reporters and editors heading for new careers as flaks - er, communication directors - for governmental agencies and businesses is that the quality of spokespeople is going to improve dramatically.

A few weeks ago, Tony Manalotos, a San Diego Union-Tribune reporter who covered crime and public safety, went to work as a communication specialist for City Councilman Kevin Faulconer. And today, I find out that Teri Somers, who has done a superb job as a business reporter covering the biotech industry, is leaving to become communications director for Biocom, which calls itself "the largest regional life-science association in the world."

Tony has already made an impact on Faulconer getting his message out more effectively. I suspect Teri will do at least as well with Biocom.