Email: daniel.lai@patch.com
Phone: 734-223-6947
Hometown: Allen Park
Birthday: Aug. 31, 1982
Bio: I became editor of Dexter Patch after three and a half years at Heritage Newspapers covering the Manchester, Dexter and Chelsea areas. Prior to that, I worked for a small community newspaper in Taylor, Texas. I'm a 2006 graduate of the University of Texas College of Communication and I've worked extensively in print media for more than seven years.
When I first started off in journalism, it took me awhile to wrap my head around what it truly meant to be a community journalist. After years of covering local meetings, events, people, and places, I am a strong advocate of community journalism and I hope to turn this site into the best source of news for the Dexter community. I believe everyone has a story to tell and they just need the write person to tell it. I've met many fascinating people over the years – from the painter to the brain surgeon – everyone's lives fascinate me, and that's why I love to write about people.
In addition to my duties as an editor and reporter for Patch, I am an avid bass player in a classic rock cover band called Delirious Love. We perform in both Wayne and Washtenaw counties, and I look forward to bringing the band out to Dexter to perform during Dexter Daze and other events. Dexter is a great community, and I am eager to hit the ground running.
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise 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. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
Though journalists try to remain neutral, if I had to choose, I tell people that I am a liberal conservative. In other words, there are issues that both liberals and conservatives support that I agree with. You have to be informed about the issues and do your own research. I don't believe decisions can be made by listening to talking points on FOX or CNN.
Religion
I am a practicing Catholic. I perform with the young adult church band every first and third Sunday at my church. However, I am open to all religious beliefs and values. I believe we should all be able to co-exist together and respect each other's values and beliefs.
Local Hot-Button Issues
Most of the hot-button issue right now may or may not be hot-button issues in a year from now. However, the economy, taxes, public education and road/bridge repairs are pretty important to this community. I welcome any and all comments or story suggestions on these and other news items affecting our readers on a daily basis. I can be reached at daniel.lai@patch.com.
The following information was supplied by the Dearborn Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
The city council may vote on the contract with Ghafari Associates, LLC. at its April 30 meeting.
This 5-year-old cat is available for adoption from the Dearborn Animal Shelter.
Dearborn Public Schools was honored by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday for its five-year early college alliance program with HFCC.
The campground now offers pet friendly sites from May 24 through Sept. 2.
More than 70,000 metro Detroiters are without power following Thursday's thunderstorms.
The city was awarded a $264,500 grant from the state's Competitive Grant Assistance Program on Thursday.
Patch will tweet live updates from the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce's annual business expo on Friday.
The following information was supplied by the Dearborn Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Dearborn firefighters helped extinguish a fire in a two-family home after lightning struck the building on Tuesday.
Residents and local businesses can become “petal pushers” by sponsoring the planting of annual flowers around the city.
The restaurant chain will pay $700,000 for falsely claiming to sell halal chicken to Muslim customers.
The historically-themed playscape will open this fall and includes a unique design to accommodate children of all abilities.
Store representatives will collect computers and electronic accessories at Goodwill’s Dearborn location on April 20.
An opening reception will take place on Thursday in the Rotunda Lobby at Henry Ford Centennial Library at 6 p.m.
Council members Thomas Tafelski and David Bazzy said there are still unanswered questions revolving around the new city hall.
Landmark legislation was unveiled in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday that would prevent deportation for millions of illegal immigrants.
The local health club is one of two metro Detroit locations to change its membership policy.
Area residents will rally at Lindbergh Elementary School to prevent gun violence on April 20.
The business networking luncheon will take place on April 19 at the Henry Hotel.
