Rob has been a reporter for roughly six years. In 2003, he graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., with a bachelor's degree in communication with a focus in media writing. After college, he began working at The Danville News, a small daily newspaper in Central Pennsylvania. Later, he moved up to their larger sister paper, The Daily Item. Most recently, Rob worked as the political reporter at the Gloucester County Times. He just moved to New Jersey last fall and is still getting used to the quirks of the Garden State: full-service gas stations and being able to buy beer and wine in the same store. He's new to Moorestown and is eager to make Patch's presence here even stronger.
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 them to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them 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
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I suppose the easiest way to answer this question is I tend to be socially liberal and fiscally centrist. My view on politics - from watching it, reading it and covering it - is there seems to be a level of detachment between the people who govern and the governed. Not as much at the local level, but at the state and certainly the federal levels. That's why you see so many polls reflecting the populace's growing lack of faith in their representatives.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I was raised Roman Catholic, went to church every Sunday and attended Catholic school for seven years. But I now find that, while I appreciate the role organized religion plays in many people's lives, it's not for me. That's not to say I'm not religious. I believe in … something. But I see merit in every faith.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
The liquor referendum. Everyone's talking about it and the debate seems to revolve around two ideas cast in opposition: The town's "character" vs. dollars and cents. What wins out?
Teacher contracts. It's only a couple weeks till school starts and still no resolution. When will it come? And what will the long-term implications of the new contract be?
The new municipal building/library/police department.
Congressman Jon Runyan commented on the presidential debate and the local job market during a visit to Lincoln Technical Institute in Moorestown Wednesday.
The student population was expected to drop again this year, but instead Moorestown has about 100 more students than it anticipated.
The GOP candidates for Moorestown council lay out a plan that includes shared services and partnerships with the private sector.
Kathy Huffman, president of Save the Environment of Moorestown, says it's time to get back to the business of taking car of Moorestown's open spaces.
The Burlington County prosecutor lays into a woman accused of faking cancer to con family and friends out of money and a former Moorestonian talks about getting her own show on CBS.
The former Moorestonian and Moorestown Friends School alum said it's "surreal" to be helming her own TV show.
The former Moorestonian and Moorestown Friends School alum said it's "surreal" to be helming her own TV show.
Also, Maple Shade Police arrest a Cherry Hill woman who went into respiratory difficulty at a hotel for possession of crack.
Township manager Scott Carew provided an update on the municipal complex project and township clerk Patty Hunt announced the total haul from Moorestown Night.
Also, police investigate an attempted burglary and the theft of a laptop from a restaurant parking lot.
Moorestown Police say Linda Gerber, of Lumberton, tricked the victim into paying her $1 million over the course of a year by claiming she was protecting her from harm.
Moorestown Police say Linda Gerber, of Lumberton, tricked the victim into paying her $1 million over the course of a year by claiming she was protecting her from harm.
Police say Linda Gerber of Lumberton tricked a victim into paying out $1 million over the course of a year, claiming she was protecting her family from harm.
Resident Monique Begg fumes over Mitt Romney's comments about the "47 percenters."
The theater company will put on the lesser-known sequel later this year.
A monarch butterfly workshop, sponsored by the Friends Enrichment Program, was held Sunday.
Hate the town's Christmas decorations? This should make you happy.
The Moorestown Education Foundation's 17th annual golf outing will be held next Monday.
Deputy Mayor Greg Gallo announced that a new business would soon be opening in the long-vacant space. (No, it's not Trader Joe's.)
A funeral service will be held Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Moorestown.
