Being an editor puts you in a very interesting position. Part of our job is to be as unbiased as possible, at least in terms of including our own opinions. If we’re successful, readers really have no idea where we personally stand on issues. In the 20 or so years since I started writing and editing, sometimes the most ironic thing occurs: Someone will accuse you of having an opinion that is actually counter to what you believe, and use your writing as proof of their claim.

This has actually happened to me more than once, so I like to think I’m at least moderately successful at this task. It is difficult to defend yourself against someone who is playing on the same proverbial team as you without disclosing that fact.

But being in this position also means that your opinion can be quite public. Periodically, I will get emails from readers who take me to task for something that they don’t agree with in the magazine, which I don’t really mind. I think that a good publication encourages debate, discussion and thought. Whether or not you agree with it is less important than the fact that you are reading and digesting what is in it.

The interesting part of this correspondence is that the people generally do have a valid point, occasionally significant and occasionally not so much. Of course, sometimes they are truly coming out of left field, too. I would love to run their feedback as letters to the editor, but during the past year, not a single person has agreed to let me print his or her comments. I can respect that, but it doesn’t lead to any sort of constructive dialogue.

And for the record, as this issue does crop up occasionally: Corporate Report Wisconsin strives to be an apolitical, pro-business magazine. Our goal is to promote and support business within the state of Wisconsin.

After taking a brief break, we’ve brought back our end-of-book column, “My View.” My hope is that, in 2010, this column can become truly an op-ed forum for our readers who want to make a valid, respectful point. I encourage readers to consider submitting an opinion essay about an issue that has caught their attention. My View is not a forum for education or business promotion, rather it’s truly your space to explain a position or opinion. All of our readers are engaged the business of business, which means that if there is a topic that pushes your buttons, it probably pushes some of their buttons as well.

So readers, interested in sharing your opinions in about 650 words? Essays can be submitted to crweditor@crwmag.com. Want to dip your toe in the waters? Go to our web site, where every visitor can post comments after stories.

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I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Linda Marshall and Elyseé Scientific Cosmetics, a 2009 CRW Small Business Success Story, for her five recent appearances on the Home Shopping Network. Great job, Linda!

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And finally, for those astute subscribers who contacted me after the January mid-month eNewsletter was sent out … this one is for you: O-S-C-A-R M-A-Y-E-R. I did sing it, just not soon enough.

By Laurie Arendt

Laurie Arendt is editor of CRW. She can be reached at crweditor@crwmag.com