Sweet sorrow

Newspaper people write on deadline for the here and now.

I like to think of the staccato-like style of a news story as a beating drum. 

And I like to think Wisconsin Gazette — a newspaper that strived for accuracy and truth while pursuing a progressive agenda — provided a marching tempo for a movement.

You’re holding the last issue WiG will publish — there’s great sadness in acknowledging this development.

As you read the final issue, please take notice of the advertisers on these pages — they’ve supported us and by doing so they’ve supported our mission, our organizations, our causes and you, our readers.

Also, please take notice of the names listed in the masthead. These are the people who’ve made each issue happen, who’ve devoted their professional lives to building a progressive newspaper because they believe the press is vital to improving your lives and the lives of your brothers and sisters. Especially take note of two names on this masthead, because Wisconsin Gazette would not have existed without them — Leonard Sobczak and Louis Weisberg. They’ve risked more than anyone could imagine to pursue the Wisconsin Gazette ideal.

Some years ago, when I departed another newspaper where I worked with Louis, he wrote an editorial saying goodbye to me. He headlined the piece “Sweet Sorrow” and the words then, for me, are the words I think of now — for Louis and Leonard.

Everyone who read WiG benefited from their uncompromising journalistic ethics, their fairness and sense of accuracy and their commitment to an independent press. With tireless devotion, they set the bar high — and then cleared the bar many, many times.