Veteran Vermont political reporter Peter Freyne is retiring his “Inside Track” column.

Freyne explains the decision in Seven Days today:

“It’s taken a few months of deepening depression to realize the simple truth: Life cannot continue like this. And the magical words of a friend uttered last month — “You deserve to be happy” — have been ringing in my ears since she spoke them.

“That’s why the column and the blog stopped two weeks ago. We finally acknowledged the unhappiness generated by writing them. And you know what? We haven’t felt this good in years!

“Let’s be clear. Our health is excellent. And the writing will continue — it is the love of our life. But after more than 25 years, the curtain is going down on “Inside Track.” It’s time for a breather.

“Fact is, there are a whole lot of other things we’ve wanted to write, and now we’re making the time to do so.

“Finally.”