Email: amy.byrnes@patch.com
Phone: 732-856-7217
Hometown: Little Silver, NJ
Birthday: August 13
Amy Byrnes has lived in Monmouth County for over 30 years and loves that there are always new things to discover here. Her path to Patch was as direct as trying to find a parking spot at the Monmouth Mall on Black Friday. A Red Bank Catholic High School grad who majored in journalism at the University of Delaware, Amy helped launch Mirabella magazine as a member of its merchandising department. After starting a family, she decided to get back to journalism and worked for a number of area community newspapers like The Hub, the Asbury Park Press "Red Bank Reporter," and the Monmouth Journal. This summer she got to go for a ride in the Horizon blimp down the coast on assignment and decided that getting paid to do cool stuff is excellent. Most recently, Amy has reported on small business issues online for BusinessNewsDaily.com.
When she's not out playing Brenda Starr, Amy has found herself at times serving as a PTO president and Board of Education member and occasional brownie baker and perennial Girl Scout leader. She also manages the ever-changing moods of three teenagers, a heartbreakingly-sweet 8 year-old, a super-hairy golden retriever and a cat she found half dead in her garage last year who now stares imperiously from her perch on the couch and owns a Snuggie.
At Patch, we promise always to approach the news as objectively as possible and adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
Politics
My dad has often cautioned me that in the interest of preserving relationships, it is best to refrain from discussing either religion or politics. This came on the heels of the 2000 election when my mother and I stopped talking for over a month. That being said, I will admit to being fairly liberal socially (I just believe everyone deserves a real chance) but concerned about too much governmental intervention mostly because it is so tainted by special interests and partisanship.
Religion
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~Dalai Lama
Trouble is, 12 years of Catholic school has given me a complex relationship with organized religion. I am raising my children Catholic and often find peace at church (and in yoga class), but I must admit that I am not above bribing them with a trip out to dinner after mass on Saturday nights to ease their own (and my) religious ambiguity.
Local Hot-Button Issues
Taxes, the closing of Fort Monmouth, a proposed cell phone tower for Tinton Falls, school budgets, ongoing construction at Routes 35 and 36 intersection. Did I mention taxes?
Two Oceanport food services workers have rolled up their sleeves to provide hot meals all-day-long at the Red Cross Shelter set up at Maple Place School.
The district will host Monmouth Beach's Pre-k and kindergarten classes.
Two newcomers and a former board member win spots in the hotly-contested board of ed race.
Gilmour, Scott and Galante win re-election
The annual effort brought turkey and all the trimmings to almost 300 families last year.
Most residents will come out of the dark by Wednesday, says the borough's mayor.
Unofficial results in Tuesday's big local races.
The district's superintendent announced a reopening on Tuesday and then quickly rescinded the decision, causing frustration for some Little Silver parents.
Mayor Robert C. Neff, Jr. updates residents on issues following Hurricane Sandy.
Those severely affected by Hurricane Sandy are encouraged to stop by Markham Place School Saturday for food, water and supplies.
Donations for those who suffered severe hurricane damage will be collected at the school Nov. 3 from noon to 3 p.m.
Details change daily in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Check here for the latest updates each day.
Have you been displaced by Hurricane Sandy or did your home sustain significant damage? A grassroots effort is taking shape in Little Silver to lend you a hand.
An interactive map shows residents where they can fuel up.
An interactive map shows residents where they can fuel up.
As the borough contends with Sandy's aftermath, a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew has been implemented until further notice.
A neighbor noticed heavy smoke Thursday afternoon at the Little Silver home.
Residents are eager to help out those whose homes were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Power has been restored for some Oceanport JCPL customers while more Little Silver residents are in the dark.
A bike tour of the borough revealed extensive damage to homes, a lot of gooey black sludge and a really funky sea odor throughout many of Little Silver's neighborhoods.
