Readers speak out on loss of Money

When I started writing a column for the Deseret News, it appeared on the cover of the Monday business section.

It later moved to the cover of the Sunday Money section. Then inside the Money section. Then back to the cover.

Now, I find myself back in the daily section. It's nice to have a home here, and I hope you'll stick with me in these new digs.

I start my first Wednesday column with a last look back, sharing some of the responses I received after my last Sunday column marked the end of our Money section.

In that column, I talked about how much I would miss Money. And I'm not alone.

A reader named Charlene wrote to say that Money was one of her favorite sections in the paper.

"It is the first thing I turn to each Sunday," she wrote. "I am saddened that Deseret News felt it necessary to cut this valuable and informative section. During these economic times, it seems that they would have let something like the comic section go, not something that was helpful."

Well, Charlene, I'd sure hate to go without my comics! But I'm glad you agree that we all need more financial information these days.

Another reader, Alan, pointed out that I should have mentioned all of the Money stories contributed by former reporter Roger Pusey over the years. And he's right. I'm sorry I didn't include you, Roger!

A reader named Willy said Money was his favorite part of the Deseret News, too.

"I hate to see the Deseret News go downhill," he wrote. "Section after section keeps disappearing. It's just so sad."

Losing Money was sad. But our business coverage is still excellent. We have great, experienced reporters, and many of their stories are ending up on the cover of the paper these days. I hope you'll keep reading our financial articles, Willy, and that they will still have value for you.

Another reader, named Lyle, echoed those other comments.

"Perhaps I am in a minority, but when faced with time limitations, the one section I always try to read is the Money section, and your column has generally been first," he wrote. "I understand the economic aspect of streamlining the paper, but this just gives me another reason for not subscribing to the paper when sections I have read for years are no longer available. Nothing irritates me more about newspapers than having to search for articles of interest."