Basics

• Phone: 908-361-1521
• Email: rick@patch.com
• Hometown: Newton
• Birthday: Jan. 26, 1981
• Bio: Rick has been involved in the coverage of Morris County news for more than six years and has lived in Northern New Jersey his entire life (save for his first year in the world). He graduated from Penn State University with a B.A. in journalism, a minor in English, and as the sports editor of the Daily Collegian. Rick was most recently the sports editor at the Daily Record, where he was assistant sports editor and a copy editor/page designer before that. He has also previously covered minor league baseball and various professional sporting events. He is excited to have his full attention focused on the Borough of Madison and is looking forward to meeting more of its residents.

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? I believe it is important to see the issues as a person first before trying to see things through the eyes of a particular party. I have opinions that would be considered both conservative and liberal.
  

      

Religion

• How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious? I am an observant Catholic.

Local Hot Button Issues

• What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? The use of open space, downtown development, and capital improvement projects.
  

• Where do you stand on each of these issues? I believe that, as with all issues, it is important to strike a balance between redevelopment and preservation. And in this time of economic strife, it is also important to spend money on necessary projects, yet be mindful of residents, increasing taxes, and smaller budgets.