I graduated from Marquette with a degree in Journalism, but had my specialty in advertising, and I spent about the next 10 years working in proofreading, collateral (a term for advertising pieces that aren't considered catalogs or newspaper) and eventually management. I still loved writing though and opted to leave rather than be an administrator. The next 10 years provided that experience, mainly through freelancing and eventually as my own business in promotional writing. Putting my hometown (truly, it's not Milwaukee) as my next writing endeavor through Patch has been a blessing and an honor. I am thrilled to chronicle where this city has been, is and is looking to become.</b>
<b>I live on the fashionable southeast side ;) of the city with my daughter and golden retriever, both of whom take up the down time. I love to read biographies and history, running, and renovating. Some day I hope to do those things more regularly.</b>
<b>My Beliefs</b>
<b>It's simple, really: tell the straight story and treat the people in them with respect and even the bad news that may be revealed will in turn earn the respect of readers. I ask the same things that readers expect from us, and that is truth and ethics. I embrace the marketplace of ideas that comments can be, but I will pull comments that are overly personal and mean-spirited, as it adds nothing to the debate. While being a Muskego resident means that many people in our stories are acquaintances or neighbors, I believe that fairness and balance in coverage is essential to our survival as a news source, no matter who we are interviewing.</b>
<b>That said, we may make mistakes, and I count on all of you to let us know if information we have is incorrect. Again, the intent is always to present news fairly and accurately.</b>
<b>Politics</b>
<b>I am a conservative. This might have an impact if I were solely writing a blog, but as this is a news and information site for my community, it is my duty to keep political slant out of the reporting, as it should be for any news site. Opinions will be stated as such, and when in articles, it will be from quoted sources alone.</b>
<b>Religion</b>
<b>Growing up in Muskego, I attended St. Leonard's and now belong to St. Mary's in Hales Corners. Faith is important to me in that it centers me and helps me maintain perspective, strength and a positive attitude. I hope what that means for my role here is that I am again fair, honest and respectful with our readers and the people we cover.</b>
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
<b>Let's face it: until there is a building built at the corner of Lannon and Janesville, the 900-lb gorilla in the room will be the Parkland Mall site. No topic has ever set off passionate opinion, and no topic has ever been more convoluted in its long history. I am sure it will come up and as best as we can, we will present the issues as they are in fact. </b>
<b>Secondary is basically any issues of progress in a city that loves its small-town feel. My hope is that anyone with ideas for or against shares them with the people in charge of making the decisions, and not just anonymously in a comments forum.</b>
<b>My stance is that Muskego needs to move forward and it can do so without sacrificing its character or natural resources. The success of that will ultimately depend on a collaborative effort (not a combative relationship) between our elected officials and the citizens. I have always remembered something an old employer told me: don't bring a complaint unless you also have a positive suggestion or solution to address that complaint. </b>
Attention local businesses, you have a home in our Directory! Claim your free listing, hop online and add photos, menus, promotions, reach out to your customers and respond to ratings and reviews today!
Reminders bear repeating as severe weather season has begun, so Severe Weather Awareness week serves as a way to make sure you're prepared.
Paul Ryan has been unbeatable in Wisconsin's 1st District, but democratic challenger said he's confident Ryan is vulnerable, and points to recent fundraising as a sign that
After clean up events in April, May starts off busy at outdoor museum of Wisconsin's history in Waukesha County.
Parks and conservation plan for next five years will remove mention of lake park, leaving room to refocus on existing park land; features may include sand volleyball courts, splash pads.
Ease of access, transparency cited as reasons to invest in new web design and purchase of new software to publish documents and eventually video related to meetings.
Common Council OKs assignment of outside legal help if recalls proceed, with the understanding that individual assistance to officials targeted for recall won't be part of the deal.
Demands have changed over the years, but new director Pete Loeffel says libraries will always be center points for their communities, if they're responsive to needs.
There's nothing more 'community' than a rummage sale, which brings out neighbors from near and far. Make sure yours gets appropriate attention by posting it in Muskego Patch's events!
If you want to give back to the Waukesha County community, and locally as well, here are a few ways you can help.
Superstitions aside, it's a Friday, which is always good, so throw a little salt over your shoulder and head into the day informed.
A warming trend continues this week, and we've heard near 70 by the weekend. In the meantime, here's a snapshot of Thursday.
While other communities propose millions of dollars in management of the destructive beetle, Muskego's expenses are only in the hundreds. However, the problem is encroaching and conservationists say homeowners will bear the brunt of the problem.
Financial information sent out over the lake park issue has not been complete, says mayor; now that the lake park business is over, it's time to move forward.
Brain injury is more common than people realize, and children especially need to be made aware of how to prevent it
If you generally make a bee-line for the computers, you're missing all of the options available at the library. Here's what we found when we browsed beyond the books.
Lake home built in 1954 was filled to the rafters of collected items in what some feel is the largest case of hoarding in years.
Wednesday brings up warmer temps; welcome to midweek!
It may be a week of vacation, but deadlines still loom....what do you need to remember before you've missed one?
