A Local Editor's Goodbye to Lacey

Dear Lacey,

Today, I bid you farewell (for now).

As you may have already heard, starting Monday, I will no longer be the Local Editor of Lacey Patch. I will be transitioning into a Field Editor position for Patch, in which I will be covering stories region-wide.

While I feel anticipation for something new, I will miss Lacey Township. It is where my career began.

I arrived in Lacey as a young woman and aspiring journalist. And while I’m still a young woman, I believe Lacey Township has helped turn me into that journalist.

It’s been a quick, fascinating and enjoyable two-and-a-half years in Lacey.

While I may have grown up in North Jersey, I leave Lacey feeling as though I was a true member of the community.

Lacey Township is unlike any town I have experienced, including my hometown of Scotch Plains, where I lived for 22 years. The community is close-knit, active and carries much pride. It's been a pleasure getting to know Lacey and those who call it home.

From fun events such as Lacey Day and the Doggie Derby, the unfortunate deaths of young locals and Hurricane Sandy to breaking news, politics and controversial issues, reporting on Lacey has been quite the experience — one that I am truly thankful for.

My favorite aspect as Local Editor of Lacey Patch was telling all of your stories. Each of you have one, unique and important in its own way, and I've learned from them all.

I may no longer be covering Lacey Township in the same capacity as I was, but it’s likely I’ll return from time to time for a story or two, a meal or a quick hello.

Feel free to continue to stay in touch and reach out to me at elaine.piniat@patch.com.

Moving forward, Berkeley Patch Local Editor Patricia Miller will be focusing her efforts on Lacey. She can be reached at patricia.miller@patch.com.

Thank you for all your support.

Sincerely,

Elaine Piniat