Mike is the editor of Lawrenceville Patch. A lifelong New Jersey resident who was raised in Metuchen (Middlesex County), he is a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. Mike came to Lawrence Township in 1991 to attend what was then known as Rider College. He spent the first semester of his junior year attending Queen Mary and Westfield College in London, England, as part of Rider's Study Abroad program. Although he graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1995 (by which time Rider had become a university), Mike chose to remain in Lawrence Township, having built strong ties to the community.
Mike spent 15 years working as a reporter and photographer for The Times of Trenton, specializing in covering the crime and breaking news beats. During his career with The Times, Mike was honored for his writing and photography with seven awards from the New Jersey Press Association, Garden State Journalists, the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the North Jersey Press Club. Mike has also worked as a freelance reporter and photographer for several other publications, and his work has appeared in The Trentonian, The Virginia-Pilot, The Tampa Tribune, Business Travel News and Firehouse Magazine.
In 1992, still in his freshman year at Rider, Mike joined Lawrence Road Fire Co., one of the three volunteer fire companies that protect Lawrence Township. Mike has been an active firefighter ever since and has held several fire-line and administrative positions over the years. Mike also served for a year as an emergency medical technician with Lawrence Township First Aid Squad, back when the township's ambulances were staffed by volunteers. Unable to commit the time necessary to remain active in both volunteer organizations, Mike gave up riding the ambulance.
Mike is a diehard New York Giants fan whose interests include photography, local history, and most British television shows. Mike and his wife Ann bought their home in Lawrence Township in 2003. Their son James was born in 2007.
<strong>Beliefs</strong>
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.
<strong>Politics</strong>
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I understand the need for politics and political debate, and for political news coverage. But, truth be told, politics in not my favorite subject. I do vote, but I have no allegiance to any particular party.
<strong>Religion</strong>
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I was raised Roman Catholic, but I have not been a regular church-goer in a very long time. I guess I would described myself as non-religious.
<strong>Local Hot-Button Issues</strong>
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Property taxes are obviously one of the biggest issues facing Lawrence Township and the entire state of New Jersey. The amount in taxes that New Jersey residents pay is amazing in comparison to what those in other states pay. With the new 2 percent tax cap, Lawrence Township is going to have some difficult decisions to make in terms of what services are going to be cut. And everyone is going to have a different opinion of what should or can be cut.
Proposed changes to the state's Medicaid program would keep the elderly and people with disabilities out of institutions, which is what most of them want - and would save taxpayers money.
Leaf collection along county-maintained roads located in Lawrence Township will take place the week of Nov. 28.
PEI Kids is a Lawrence Township-based nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for youth who have been sexually abused, bullied and are at-risk.
As a result of the snow storm that hit New Jersey on Oct. 29, bringing down tree limbs throughout Lawrence Township, the township public works department will suspend leaf collection and instead pick up limbs and brush next week, Nov. 7-11.
The accident remains under investigation by Lawrence Township police.
Flu vaccinations will be given by the Lawrence Township Health Department on Nov. 2 and Nov. 16.
Lawrence Township residents who are 60 or older, or who have a doctor's prescription for a flu shot are exempt from the $15 fee.
Award from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission will be used to build a nearly mile-long segment of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail linking Princeton Pike with The Lawrenceville School.
Mercer County's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program allows individuals meeting various income qualifications to apply for bill payment help, energy crisis assistance and energy-related home repairs.
A resident of Lawrence Township for 49 years, he was a veteran of Word War II who saw action on Omaha Beach during D-Day.
Leaf collection will take place throughout the township in November and December.
The registration deadline has been extended to Nov. 30 for renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene to apply for federal disaster assistance.
Support jumps if status is termed ‘marriage equality.’
Yes, it is still October and, yes, it is snowing.
Lawrence Township resident served as an emergency medical service volunteer.
The accident occurred late Thursday night, but Bakers Basin Road was expected to be closed for much of Friday morning - including during the morning commuter rush - so utility crews could erect a new pole and attach electrical wires to it.
The Ski Barn on Route 1 will reopen for business on Oct. 29. The store was flooded during Hurricane Irene.
Authorities alleged that 68-year-old Lawrence Township resident Tony Kadyhrob tried to kidnap a 19-year-old student from the Rider University campus earlier this year.
The accident - the second alleged drunk driving crash in Lawrence Township within five hours - took place just before 3:35 a.m. Friday in front of the Adath Israel Congregation synagogue.
At its meeting Tuesday night (Nov. 1) Lawrence Township Council will decide whether to adopt a proposed ordinance that would change the office of mayor from having a one-year term to a term lasting two years.
