Daniel Nee, Patch Staff

Daniel Nee is a lifelong resident of Ocean County.

He is a 2007 graduate of Monmouth University with a degree in Political Science, and in 2012 earned his Masters Degree in Public Policy, also at Monmouth.

Daniel began his career in journalism at The SandPaper in Surf City, covering local issues, and later worked for a weekly newspaper in Monmouth County before founding Jersey Shore Fishing, a monthly magazine covering fishing and boating in the Shore area.

He has also covered local government, businesses, events and breaking news for The Press of Atlantic City and Micromedia Publications.

He still serves as publisher and editor of Jersey Shore Fishing Magazine, which is distributed to more than 10,000 anglers between Manasquan Inlet and Ocean City each issue.

Daniel is an avid boater and angler who keeps his boat in Manahawkin, and can often be seen cruising Barnegat Bay, hunting for fluke and striped bass or cruising somewhere a few miles off the beach drifting over an artificial reef.

He holds the distinction of having landed a keeper flounder during the East Coast Earthquake of 2011, then reporting the quake's aftermath live from the middle of the bay.

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 and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.

This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.

Politics

* How would you describe your political beliefs?

I am a registered Republican and generally take a conservative view on national issues. Locally, however, I've been all over the map in my election day choices and will be happy to continue the tradition.

Religion

* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?

I was raised Catholic and have attended church services at Epiphany Church in Brick and St. Francis of Assisi on Long Beach Island.

Local

Hot Button Issues

What do you think are the two or three most important issues facing the community?

Ocean County municipalities, like many suburban communities in New Jersey, face ever-decreasing state aid and thus, the responsibility of local taxpayers to absorb the full cost of local services on the municipal and school district levels as state funding often finds its way to urban areas instead of suburban communities.

Challenges for our local residents and elected officials include stabilizing the tax rate without a significant reduction in public services and figuring out which luxuries our communities, unfortunately, cannot afford.

Additionally, a long-term challenge for our local communities will be maintaining our status as one of America's safest areas as growth continues.

* Where do you stand on each of these issues?

Officials - elected and appointed - should work to ensure that local residents get the most and best services for their tax dollars. As elected officials should serve as watchdogs for the public interest, it is the media's job to serve as a watchdog as well, ensuring residents are in the know about their town, their elected officials and how their money is being spent.