TO THE EDITOR: THE NORTHFIELD NEWS ANOTE OF THANKS goes to the many newspaper editors/publishers who saw fit to publish editorials and articles during the past two weeks that addressed the donor anonymity bill under consideration in the General Assembly. I’m not sure of the exact count, but at least seven dailies published editorials – their own or reprints from the Rutland Herald/Times-Argus or The Hardwick Gazette - and at least eight weeklies did the same.

The Senate voted Friday to let the bill lie, which kills the measure for the time (it will probably be back). Our combined efforts offered enough evidence to the legislators this was an issue of statewide importance and needed a closer look than they gave it.

Beyond that, and of importance, the way we worked together was ample evidence to me that, despite our need to gather and report our own news and views, we can be effective working together in fulfilling our fundamental role — namely to be a collective voice that the people’s right to know is fundamental to our purpose.

Many thanks!

ROSS CONNELLY Editor & Co-publisher The Hardwick Gazette