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.
The writers are Police Officer Andres Mejia of Lawrence Township Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 119, and Police Officer Andrew Lee of Lawrence Township Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 209.
The boy, who suffered internal injuries in the fall at the Eggerts Crossing Village apartment complex Thursday, was flown by medical helicopter to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on May 19, immediately followed by Lawrence Township's Memorial Day ceremony. A “Support the Troops” picnic and car/bike show will then be held in the afternoon.
The awards recognized actions the individuals took during the past year to solve crimes, apprehend suspects, and save lives in Lawrence Township.
March employment estimates, meanwhile, have been revised, going up by nearly 5,000 jobs, state officials said.
The 90-year-old Lawrence Township man was rushed to a local hospital following the freak accident in the 1700 block of Brunswick Pike Wednesday afternoon.
During the past few days, Lawrence Township officials have received reports of a bear being spotted in the area of Route 206 in the northern end of town. The most recent report was received about 11:30 a.m. today (May 17).
Frank Cochran, 59, of Lambertville has been issued a ticket for failing to obey a traffic control device in connection with the collision between his car and a bicycle on May 7. The bicyclist, who was killed, was pedaling in the wrong direction on Route 1
The duo of master illusionists described as "modern-day Houdinis."
Customers can drop off their technology for recycling at the service desk, regardless of where it was originally purchased.
The event held May 5 raised over $122,000 to support programs for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Also in this week's roundup of news from Lawrence Township Public Schools, students in Lawrence Middle School learn about mechanical engineering by constructing hand-powered Ferris Wheels.
Lawrence High School varsity softball players appeared before the Lawrence Township school board Monday (May 14) to speak out against the school administration’s decision not to renew the contract of their coach, Tara Harrigan.
The nonprofit recently raised more than $55,000 and recognized four outstanding community leaders as PEI Kids’ PALS - People Appreciated for Long Service - at its 21st Annual Dinner and Auction.
Three recent grants totaling $33,000 will benefit PEI Kids’ Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse program.
Lawrence Township police are working to identify the driver of a blue sedan that cut off another vehicle, causing that second vehicle to crash into a pole on Brunswick Pike at Whitehead Road Monday afternoon.
“When you call the police and no officer is available to respond, people could die. Brace yourselves – layoffs could cost lives.” ~ Tom Egan, a Lawrence Township resident and Robbinsville police officer.
Lawrence Township Police Office Andrew Lee, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 209, spoke out against layoffs during Tuesday's township council meeting.
The volunteer mentoring program began at LES in January 2010.
Members of the Lawrence Township public school teachers' union recently collected new children's pajamas that were donated to Womanspace.
