Several layoffs were made on Tuesday at This Old House. Executive Producer Jeff Ruhe (see hiring release here), Production Manager Paul Castrataro, Susan Power and Associate Director of Communications Sarah Garvey were all let go. The official memo by This Old House publisher Matthew Turck is reproduced below, with original typos intact:

Staff,

I am disappointed to inform you that This Old House needed to eliminate several positions today. We are also leaving some open positions unfilled, while still maintaining the strength needed to move this brand forward.

Those effected, Jeff Ruhe, Susan Power, Paul Castrataro and Sarah Garvey are excellent at what they do and are good friends to many of us on the staff. They will be missed. Understanding that today is not an easy day for anyone, I plan to address the staff this afternoon. However, if you have questions, I'll try to be available.

Business pressures are affecting all business today and ours is no exception. These changes were designed to keep us competitive in a challenging marketplace. These are the only direct changes planned, so please do your best to stay focused through this challenging time. I'll help where I can.

Matt

Email queries sent to Turck were not returned as of press time. This Old House is a Time Inc. property.