Ted's stepping off, but the ride goes on

Wilson: Published reports in the Salt Lake Tribune on Friday reflected some concerns I have with the Wilson & Webb column. But tone and intent is important, so I want you to hear it directly from me.

It has been a good ride for LaVarr and me these past two years. I have enjoyed working closely with him and count him as a very close friend. We have differed, we have agreed, and hopefully we have brought you, the reader, a series of opposing views on important Utah political issues and people. This is my last column because I feel LaVarr and I do not always match the same tone in our writing. On many occasions we do, but there have been times, as illustrated by last week's column, when LaVarr goes more directly to the point than I do. I am not trained as a journalist. My style is one more reflective of many years in politics, and it shows that I do not like to stir people up too much.

There have also been some times when I felt the framing of the column by the editors affected how readers would see the column. Frankly, the placement of my disclosure statement that I was a friend and adviser to Mayor Rocky Anderson at the top of the column last Sunday said, in my mind, "Read the following with a grain of salt."

In the same column, LaVarr was not noted as supporting Frank Pignanelli, and a controversial quote was highlighted that I thought gave more weight to his piece than mine.

I do understand the burden on the editors to keep the paper objective, especially in the midst of a tough political campaign. So the editors, after reading my piece last week, encouraged LaVarr to balance it out. That is an appropriate thing to do for an editor. Then the question of tone emerged — that tone being LaVarr's and not the editors.

I feel the Deseret Morning News is a fine paper. It will always suffer some from the perception that the paper's ownership influences the reporting. But I know Editor John Hughes and his staff work very hard to make sure that does not happen.

As a Utah liberal in a very conservative state, I thank the newspaper for printing every word I wrote, though they on occasion corrected my English and spelling. I thank my friend LaVarr Webb for working with me. And I thank Editor John Hughes and Opinion Editor Jay Evensen for the opportunity.

Webb: I have greatly enjoyed writing this column with Ted, and I hope we've provided some interesting Sunday morning reading. Ted is a classy guy, and we'll continue to be good friends and business colleagues.

So what happens to this column now? Stay tuned. Something interesting, no doubt, is in the works. Will I get a new partner in punditry? Probably. But it might take a week or two to get it all sorted out. (I'm recommending someone rather slow and dimwitted.)