Dear Vermont Daily Chronicle reader:
October and November have been breathless months at Vermont Daily Chronicle. Until October, Vermont Daily Chronicle had never exceeded 100,000 views per month. But October hit six figures for the first time. November is already at that number, with almost five days to go.
Readers’ comments also hit a one-time monthly record in November, with 1,164 as of this writing.
What happened? More readers are recognizing we provide Vermont news and commentary the rest of the media just won’t cover. For example, on Wednesday we ‘broke’ the confirmation that a first-grader had, against the will of his parents, been vaccinated for Covid-19 at a VT Dept. of Health clinic in a Brattleboro public elementary school. Every week we publish news that – for whatever reason – you won’t find anywhere else. Stories like this find an avid audience in Vermont and, increasingly, nationwide. Through us, Vermont’s successes and failures are reported to the rest of the nation.
Now let me say it plain: we need your help. Vermont Daily Chronicle is my challenging, full-time job, one for which I’ve passed up more lucrative opportunities. I write most of the ‘front page news’ myself. A growing number of volunteers help with writing and copy-editing. But growth is not sustainable at our current level of funding. Inflation has hiked the cost of rent, transportation, software, and more.
Even more important, we need your support to take our next BIG step: hiring a reporter to cover Burlington and its challenges with unaffordable housing, higher taxes, growing homelessness, police defunding, and an ideologically-driven city bureaucracy and council. When Burlington coughs, the rest of Vermont catches cold. The Queen City’s left-leaning policies are highly contagious to Vermont lawmakers, media, and not-for-profit and business leaders.
I was born in Burlington. Graduated from BHS and UVM. Bought my first home there in 1986 ($50,000!). Volunteered at and sat on the board of directors for a North Street homeless shelter. Been part of two prominent faith communities. Started the city’s only true ‘community newspaper,’ the North Avenue News. The city I see now has changed much. What’s happening there cries out for responsible, independent news coverage.
I’m asking you to support Vermont Daily Chronicle by donating on a one-time or monthly basis. Here’s how you can do it:
- PayPal. Click on this link on our website, then click on the yellow DONATE button in the middle of the page. That will bring you to our PayPal site. You may choose a one-time or monthly gift. Many, many thanks for your contribution.
- A Check. Please mail to Vermont Daily Chronicle, P.O. Box 1547, Montpelier, Vermont, 05601.
Vermont Daily Chronicle has no sugar daddy, no rich aunt, no corporate sponsors writing big checks. We are supported by a small but growing number of advertisers, and by people who care enough to give: $108 for an annual voluntary subscription, or more or less as your heart and means direct.
I probably don’t mention our ongoing revenue needs often enough. I’m often urged to ‘say it plain.’ So here it is. If you believe Vermont needs a growing Vermont Daily Chronicle, please say so with your wallet. For whatever you can do, we thank you!
Free Speech Forever,
Guy Page, Editor and Publisher
Vermont Daily Chronicle