Weekly update, Oct. 1: None of you could have escaped this week’s big news, the ouster of BANG-EB Publisher John Armstrong and the installment of David Rounds, a Mercury News circulation VP, to replace him.

Both the announcement and resulting coverage were surprisingly candid, with no pretense that Armstrong simply chose to retire. Instead, he told employees Tuesday, MediaNews simply felt that his “skill set” didn’t match the challenges ahead.

Here’s the Times’ own coverage, by reporter John Simerman, the AP’s version, and Editor and Publisher’s take.

Armstrong’s last day will be Oct. 17.

In the meantime, we’ve been Googling David Rounds, who does not seem to have any online pictures.

Our searches paused at this blast from the past — a 1999 AJR piece by reporter Cynthia Gorney that provides an amazing time capsule of the East Bay newspaper scene in its boom years:

“Slow down, John,” David Rounds said from the rear seat of the black Mercedes in which three of us, me and two mid-level officials of the Evil Empire, were driving around the back roads of Contra Costa County. Rounds, a tall pale-haired man whose long legs made him look somewhat cramped even in the back of such a fancy car, is vice president for circulation for the Contra Costa Newspapers. John Armstrong, who was driving, is editor of the Contra Costa papers, and as he slowed down Armstrong nodded for my benefit toward the hills that stretched out to either side of his car.
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David Rounds has been named the new publisher of the Bay Area News Group-East Bay, which includes the Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune and dozens of other newspapers and Web sites.

Rounds, who will assume the role Oct. 17, has more than 35 years of newspaper experience, including long stints with both the former Alameda News Group and the former Contra Costa Newspapers. He currently serves as vice president of circulation at the San Jose Mercury News.

Rounds replaces longtime publisher John Armstrong, who leaves Oct. 17.

During a meeting in Walnut Creek Tuesday afternoon, Times employees gave Armstrong a long and steady round of applause.

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Sent on behalf of Mac Tully, September 30th, 2008

Dear Employees:

We’re announcing a leadership change for our East Bay newspapers. After many years of dedicated service, John Armstrong will be leaving the company effective October 17. We’re very appreciative of the effort that John has put forth during his role as Publisher, and earlier as Editor, and wish him good fortune for the future.

David Rounds, San Jose Mercury News Vice President of Circulation, will replace Armstrong as the new President and Publisher of our East Bay newspapers. David is a career newspaper professional with more than 35 years’ experience innewspaper advertising, (more…)