Email: james.price@patch.com
Phone 414-218-2779
Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI
Birthday: February 21, 1956
Bio: I've wanted to write ever since my father introduced me to the complete works of Mark Twain when I was a child, but I didn't get my start in journalism until 1986 when I began supplementing my income as an English major through freelancing for the Chicago Reader. Getting paid to write seemed better than not, so after graduating from the University of Illinois-Chicago, I applied to the graduate program of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, the first and I believe still the best J-school in the world.
Still a poor student, I begged my way onto the copy desk of the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. After five years of journalistic boot camp, I made my way to The Milwaukee Journal, settled in Wauwatosa, and I've been here ever since, editing and writing for The Journal and Journal Sentinel and teaching journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I'm thrilled to be a Patch editor in my adopted hometown of 22 years.
Our 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.
My Politics
I am unashamed to call myself a liberal in my personal political beliefs, and I don't think anyone should think it's a dirty word, because I believe this nation was founded on the most liberal principles the world has ever seen: that all people are equal and should govern their own affairs as equals. That said, I agree with my hero Thomas Jefferson about the limits of government and with many people today who believe that our government has in many ways outgrown that notion. In any case, I have 25 years of training and experience in journalism and I can assure readers that I have never let any personal beliefs affect my sense of fairness and balance in reporting or editing any story.
My Religion
I grew up in the Methodist Church, and although I do not practice any religion now, I still adhere to much of the guidance of that church, which taught that we should all act toward others and conduct ourselves in accordance with certain beliefs that underlie Christian morality.
Local Hot-Button Issues
The hottest button in Wauwatosa, I believe, is in the undercurrents that swell to the surface from time to time as we try to deal with being the closest suburban community to urban Milwaukee and the socio-economic issues that sometimes spill over our borders.
Tosa School of the Trades will be closed due to insufficient enrollment after it dropped to just 13 students. The first-year Montessori school, meanwhile, has proven popular and adding even one sixth-grade student is feasible.
The O'Briens appear to be out of danger. Meanwhile, details of their accident and another very like it have been released by the police, indicating both were the result of medical events occurring to the drivers.
Lone teller faces lone robber in tense encounter Wednesday at bank branch at North Avenue and Swan Boulevard.
'A few' more donated trees turns into a few hundred, with the result that more than 700 were planted all together on Saturday morning.
First new business to be developed with aid of neighborhood and city plan is now a reality.
Ordered to stop by a police officer, drunken driver does – right in the middle of a set high-speed mainline rails. And when he does move, it's toward a bridge too far.
Opposition to power lines walks side-by-side with promotion of sustainability.
Did you know these men? The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund wants a photo for every name on "The Wall" in D.C. Three are still needed from Wauwatosa.
New owner of stolen phone loses his cool in call to its rightful owner. He wanted her to keep him on her plan, of course.
Corrine O'Brien remains in intensive care unit after their car left the road, struck a house and crashed into a tree.
For the second time in two weeks, drivers under the influence have mistakenly turned on to train tracks in Wauwatosa.
Owner of company that handles Tosa composting program responds to plea that poor soil could make project daunting. His donation of organic soil medium will increase likelihood of success for new groves in city park.
Young man laughs off citation for carrying a 'facsimile weapon' – albeit a powerful one.
Leadership of all key committees changes as new mayor takes office. See which aldermen were appointed to chair and vice-chair positions.
Largely ceremonial meeting launches new course for city, with Ald. Dennis McBride taking the post of Common Council president.
Children of all ages and abilities can reach and explore the heights in pre-settlement themed structures designed for imaginative play.
With some improvements made, suddenly the scars and wrinkles on old equipment stand out more. Parents want others who use their playground – or used to – to step and help them make it spiffy again.
Incoming Mayor Ehley will preside over a Common Council with three new faces and, soon, one empty seat. You can attend or watch the proceedings broadcast live from City Hall.
Suspect didn't realize the back seat of the car he was entering to grab a purse was occupied by a woman and her grandson.
At one point, more than at 5,000 residents and businesses in Wauwatosa were without power Monday morning. Electricity was restored to the last 600 users just after noon; however, continuing high winds made more outages possible.
