I have been in journalism for 18 years, with nearly three years with Patch. Prior to that, I spent eight years as a municipal reporter with the Asbury Park Press, covering Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Shrewsbury Borough,  Shrewsbury Township and Fort Monmouth. You may have seen some of my investigative work uncovering the events that led to the closure of Fort Monmouth. Less likely, you may also have seen me on television, talking about the closure of military installations nationwide. 

My work has prompted and shaped local, state and federal legislation, and caused four separate federal investigations, much to the consternation of some in power trying to keep secrets.

Previously, I spent four years as an online news editor for a mid-sized newspaper website in California's Central Valley, setting up and running the McClatchy newspaper company's first news website. I also was instrumental in creating San Francisco State University's Online Journalism Program, while a student there way back - in internet time - in 1996. 

I grew up in suburban Detroit, Mich., writing for various community newspapers while attending a community college where I received an Associate's Degree. I then left Michigan with an old Toyota Corolla, one key and a backpack, traveling around the country. I finally settled in San Francisco, Calif., where I lived for nearly a decade and attended San Francisco State University.

I have lived in Wall Township for 14 years with my wife of 18 years and my three super brilliant children.

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 and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.

This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.

Politics

* How would you describe your political beliefs?

Like many, I have some strong political beliefs that I hold sacrosanct. But none more so than your right to vehemently disagree with me.

Religion

* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?

I'm a big fan of everyone's right to worship whomever and whatever they like, when and wherever possible, and I expect that others in a civilized society respect that also.

Local Hot Button Issues

What do you think are the two or three most important issues facing the community?

Wall Township, like many New Jersey municipalities, is in an seemingly eternal struggle between balancing its cache of open space with the need to create good development to offset it's residential tax burden. This drama will play itself out over and over again in a variety of instances. I look forward to covering each one.