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 agenda for the Lawrence Township Council meeting that will be held at 6:30 p.m. today (March 20) include resolutions pertaining to the 2012 municipal budget and the municipal tax increase referendum.
State Senate President Steve Sweeney and the Senate Democrats will hold the meeting Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at the Lawrence Township headquarters branch of the Mercer County Library.
“Our goal is to provide the community an understanding of energy-efficient, clean, renewable, healthy choices for your home, for your transportation needs...” ~ Paula Waldron, Sustainable Lawrence
Boy scouts from Lawrence Township Troop 28 last month explored the camp at the base of the Kittatinny Ridge in northern New Jersey.
What's your choice for best dance studio in Lawrence Township? Vote here and tell us why.
The arthritis lecture will take place on April 4 at the Lawrence Senior Center. On April 11, the center will host blood pressure and glucose screenings for Lawrence Township residents.
Students signed a pledge not to watch television or play electronic games for one week. The goal of the annual event is to teach children and families that real life is much more stimulating and entertaining.
The free lecture will be presented at 7 p.m. March 23 by Naturalist David Bosted.
The Lawrence Township-based nonprofit recently received the $10,000 grant from the Princeton Area Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls.
2012 county golf membership card is required to reserve a tee time.
The class on March 23 is free but advanced registration is required. It will be held at the county fire academy in Lawrence Township.
A resident of Lawrence Township since 1973, he worked for Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Studies for 25 years.
Lawrence Township Manager Richard Krawczun last week appeared at a forum to discuss the upcoming municipal tax increase referendum. Another public meeting about the referendum will be held on March 29 at the Slackwood firehouse.
Lawrence Township resident Oki Fukunaga was among the artists whose works were recognized in the annual art exhibit at Mercer County Community College.
The event on March 31 will involve 44 student mentors from Rider University and 140 students from Trenton public schools.
The restaurant on Lawrenceville-Pennington Road on Saturday will host the annual St. Baldrick’s fundraiser for children’s cancer research.
The “How to Network” workshop with the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce was held on Rider University's campus in Lawrence Township.
IRS website offers step-by-step guide for determining eligibility, examples of typical tax savings under various scenarios, answers to frequently-asked questions, a YouTube video and a webinar.
The delinquent fee due to be assessed on March 1 will be waived if dog licenses are purchased from the Lawrence Township Clerk's Office by the end of today, March 16.
Free recital will take place in the art gallery on Rider University's Lawrence Township campus.
