One door closes, and another one opens

That is where The Deerfield Valley News is right now, about to walk through an open door into a new era. 
Two weeks ago we finalized a months-long negotiation with the folks from Vermont Independent Media to transfer ownership of the “Valley News.”   (See story on front page.)
This publication, which has a six-decade history, is now in the capable hands of the nonprofit corporation that also publishes The Commons, a 21-year-old weekly based in Brattleboro.   The folks at The Commons are as committed to local news and local journalism as the team here at The DVN is, and that commitment went a long way toward making this all come together. 
For a little background, it was a couple of years ago when our general manager, and my wife and partner, Vicki, and I started discussing what our long-term plan would be with the Valley News and our business in general. Our youngest son was in his final years of college and I turned 65 years old. It was time to consider the next phase of our lives and of the Valley News. 
After all, it’s been more than 34 years since I became publisher, and 24 years since Vicki became general manager.  We were both ready to do something different. After a while, no matter how much passion one can have for this business, the weekly grind of deadline upon deadline wears on you. 
Vicki and I felt we owed it to the community to pass the Valley News on to someone or some group that would continue the tradition of focusing on the Deerfield Valley and surrounding towns. But we were unsure of exactly what to do or who to reach out to. 
There were some casual discussions with national newspaper brokers, but honestly, this business is too “small potatoes” for a broker looking for a big commission.   
The general response was “I’ll get back to you.” 
No one ever did. 
In the end, we didn’t have to look very far.  Last fall I reached out to Jeff Potter, the editor-in-chief of The Commons, and then Lynn Barrett, who at the time was president of the board of directors of Vermont Independent Media.  There was interest. During the holidays, Lynn and current board president Steve Mundahl paid a visit and met with Vicki and me.  From there things accelerated, and throughout the winter and spring we held a series of meetings with VIM board members, staff, and of course, lawyers. That all led up to the closing on June 27. 
So here we are, with the transition underway. It won’t always be smooth.  There are procedures to be worked out, information to be shared, and countless little things that need to be explained.   In short, the kind of things that happen when any business changes hands. No doubt there will be some bumps in the road as we move forward, which of course are to be expected in a transition like this. 
When news editor Mike Eldred and I were talking the other day about my time here, it became apparent to me just how much has taken place during the past 34-plus years.  He asked me about the milestones along the way, and so many came to mind. I doubt I recalled them all, or that he was able to list them all.  
In some ways, what matters more than the events we’ve reported on across the years are the people who have helped make this publication what it is.  It has really been all of the team, from account managers to designers to writers and editors, from interns to delivery drivers to mailroom staff and press operators, everyone has contributed to make this publication what it is today. Thanks to everyone, past and present, who have been a part of this endeavor. 
I am especially thankful to Vicki, who has put up with all of the ups and downs of this crazy business from the beginning. 
Moving forward, some of the names may change, but the mission will remain the same.  Local news, from a local company.  That is important to us, and to the folks at Vermont Independent Media. 
While the door is now open, we’re not quite ready to close it behind us. Vicki and I are still here to help with the ownership transition, and will be for a while. Hopefully all of our readers, advertisers, and friends will welcome this transition wholeheartedly. 
Also, rest assured that The Deerfield Valley News, which is walking through that door, will continue to report on the valley, the people who inhabit it, and the events that shape it. Those are the things that make up the fabric of our community, and the things that are truly important.
Randy Capitani