A respected reader suggested last week that we were vindictive in opposing a Hillsboro Free Press proposal to post official notices on the Internet, presumably instead of in qualifying newspapers.

We have no problem competing fair and square with the Free Press, which tried to compete with us for public notices then suddenly quit the business when it couldn’t meet postal standards.

What we object to is that the Free Press, realizing that it can’t qualify, wants to make sure no one does.

That’s just unfair. And vindictive.