Princeton|News|
Elisa Neira Named Princeton's New Human Services Director
She replaces Cynthia Mendez, who is retiring.

Email: greta.cuyler@patch.com
Phone: (609) 865-9690
Hometown: Dennis, Mass.
Birthday: February 24
Bio: : I grew up in Massachusetts and earned a bachelor's degree in English from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. Later, I earned a master's in business from Simmons School of Management in Boston.
In college, I was on track for a career in journalism- as news editor of my college paper, interning for weekly and daily newspapers and being published in The Boston Globe.
Then I found out how much reporters earned and took an immediate career detour. I spent eight years working in corporate banking before a corporate layoff convinced me to return to my first love- journalism.
Over the past six years, I have been a reporter at newspapers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
As a reporter at the New Hampshire Union Leader, I broke two national stories. The first was the story of four municipal employees fired for gossiping about their boss. The other was about a 17-year-old boy who had sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend but was prosecuted for sexual assault. My reporting led to coverage in the Boston Globe, New York Times, "Good Morning America" and "20/20."
When I heard about Patch, I jumped at the chance to be part of this online, interactive venture. I consider it the future of journalism.
I have always considered Princeton my second home. My grandparents used to live on Wiggins Street and my grandmother later moved to an apartment on Nassau Street. I spent nearly every major holiday in Princeton as a child and remember shopping at Clayton's in Palmer Square and at Woolworth's and the Hobby Shop on Nassau Street.
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: I have voted for both Republican and Democratic candidates, but generally consider myself a Democrat. What worries me most about politics is the move towards more partisan and often hostile debate, instead of working towards compromise for the good of the country.
Religion: I was raised in the Episcopal Church, but I don't consider myself particularly religious. Local Hot-Button Issues: Consolidation is the biggest issue facing Princeton Township and Princeton Borough. Should the two municipalities collaborate between similar functions or pursue all-out consolidation?
Other issues include the future of the Dinky train station when Princeton University builds its new arts center and electing a new borough mayor when longtime incumbent Mildred Trotman leaves at the end of 2011.
She replaces Cynthia Mendez, who is retiring.

The alleged incident happened early Tuesday morning in the 700 block of Putnam Avenue.
"Our consultants concluded that due to location of the tank, there’s no way to do this other than demolition (of the house)," said Pam Hersh, the hospital's vice president for government & community affairs.
The cases involve two incidents of forced entry into homes and one entry into a vehicle.
Sixteen-year-old John Distasio turned up at his grandmother's residence in Howard Beach, N.Y.
The work is part of contruction for Princeton University's Arts and Transit project.
Police say the injuries do not appear to be life threatening.
The plan features less mass, a new public road and lower building heights. But some say the company's refusal to address the group's concern is a well-known ploy to stifle opposition.
A short ceremony will follow at Monument Hall.
Officer Daniel Gladney is the 2013 Officer of the Year.
The Rydal Drive resident heard someone driving off in his car, chased after them and got his car back.
Despite collaboration between the local, regional, state and federal health officials, there's some concern on the Princeton Board of Health about whether enough is being done.
The incident was reported early Friday morning.
Joseph Rabatie, of Trenton, was charged with shoplifting and receiving stolen property.
Among the stolen items was the victim's credit card information, which was used to buy $3,000 worth of unauthorized goods.
Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.
Mall officials announced the news via Facebook last week.
Mall officials announced the news via Facebook on Monday afternoon.
Mall officials announced the news via Facebook on Monday afternoon.