New Editor Takes On Burnsville Patch

I'm , the permanent editor for the Burnsville Patch. Monday was my first day at the helm, and so far I love my new home and my new job. 

First, let me tell you a little bit about what we do at the Burnsville Patch. We're a news source exclusive to Burnsville that actively services the town 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From a structure fire to football games, you can expect to see me and a team of freelancers out in the community, covering it all in real time. Our goal is to give you accurate, interesting updates about your city government, school board and anything else that affects your daily life.

However, Patch is not an online newspaper. It's an informational hub. On our site, you'll find a community directory, local announcements and an events calendar in addition to local news stories. You can even post your own events listings and announcements about meetings or volunteer opportunities, as well as adding your own comments and photos to the stories we write.

That leads me to an important aspect of the Patch philosophy. Our site is shaped by the user: It's what you want it to be. This is a start-up and, as such, it is fluid and dynamic. Patch is flexible. If you want to see a change to the site and we will try to accommodate you as long as it's moral, legal and technically feasible. 

One example of that is our new Local Voices initiative. Patch sites all around the country are actively recruiting regular folks just like you to blog for the site. If you want to write a blog about anything —from the Blaze to your 18th century button collection — we want to hear from you. There's always a place for you on Patch.

Please drop me a line, whether you've got a story idea, praise or criticism about the site. I encourage you to e-mail me at clare.kennedy@patch.com or tell us in the comments. If you wish to speak with me directly, by all means call me at 952-258-9223. 

You can also find Burnsville Patch on Facebook and Twitter. 

On one final note, I'd like to extend a warm thanks to my colleague , the interim editor. Many of you may have met him out and about. He will still be around the region, working on other Patch sites. He did a great job getting the site up and running. I'll do my best to fill his shoes as best I can.