As the world turns at the Daily Pilot
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 10:24AM 
By The Real Voice
Jim Righeimer is out as a Daily Pilot columnist.
Sources tell us that Pilot editors had received complaints that running Righeimer’s column represented a conflict of interest because he was a Costa Mesa planning commissioner and also contemplating a run for City Council.
But Pilot editors declined to pull the column. The complaints then were recently presented to Los Angeles Times associate editor Randy Harvey, who oversees The Times’ community newspaper operation. After confirming the facts, Harvey gave Righeimer the option of resigning as planning commissioner or as Pilot columnist. Righeimer decided to keep the planning commission gig.
The Pilot has also parted ways with perhaps its most popular columnist, Greer Wylder (wife of Voice co-publisher William Lobdell). Wylder had written her weekly Best Buys column for more than 14 years, and her recommendations sent her legion of fans into stores and restaurants. No word on the reason for the split, but it’s another major blow for the troubled paper.
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Reader Comments (5)
This makes no sense. It's a column, for opinion and fluff pieces. Not hardcore news. What about Buffa, is it okay for him to continue to write. What about here, doesn't a CM Planning Commissioner named Fitzpatrick write a column for this publication? Is that somehow okay, but Righeimer's is not? This whole thing is stupd. The Daily Pilot should be grateful it gets city leaders to contribute. I enjoy reading his stuff. I'm definately canceling my subscription now.
Uh, Tony, you don't pay for the Pilot, partner. It comes gratis with the Times.
the Pilot is much better off without her rewriting press releases, get real.
Just bring me back my damn Daily Pilot. How can local news be a one sheet with room for fluff? I understand cost savings initiatives - but you have to have actual editors and reporters to effectively produce a newspaper. That said, it would appear the Pilot consists of one or two staff members. Seemingly the page counter and the delivery driver. Maybe they could write too. I'm sure they have stories. Here's another thing - Where's the old directories they used to publish? My granddaughter is engaged - I would love to have my local businesses all in one spot for the wedding needs she will have. I don't keep phone books anymore - I used to shop the Pilot. Frankly I don't care who writes the news. I just want my old newspaper back.
Glenda.
I don't get it, Tom. Your co-publisher is married to Greer, and you don't know the reason for the split?