Wow – what a wild ride. In the last 15 months, since I started reporting the local news for Patch in Millburn and Short Hills, there have been three natural disasters (Hurricane Irene, October snowstorm and an earthquake), numerous power outages, flooding and fights over charter schools, the zoning of a synagogue, a grocery store and a cell tower.
If that weren’t enough for one idyllic little suburb with the best high school in the state, there was a crime wave of home and auto break-ins, a carjacking and attempted carjacking, two suicides on the tracks, an attempted murder case and a body found in the Reservation.
Then there were the parades, games, plays, concerts and restuarant openings and closings and, after the hurricane, reopenings.
I love covering local news, and this town provided more news than I could ever imagine it would. It has been great. I've learned that running a news site as opposed to a newspaper is more time consuming than I anticipated. You never put it to bed.
For a local news junkie, that’s great. But as a mom, it's tough to juggle. So when I was offered an opportunity to also do what I love as the Publications Editor at Montclair State University, I knew the family friendly hours would be better fit for me.
As one of the oldest Patch sites, Millburn-Short Hills Patch has the good fortune of having lots of loyal readers. I have appreciated the news tips and the occasional copy-editing help. I also appreciated your help during Hurricane Irene, when many of you posted great photos and video from all over the township as dawn broke. It was a terrific example of community journalism and one of Patch’s finest moments. People are passionate in their town, about the schools and the township, and that’s pretty powerful when channeled positively.
Patch will soon name a new editor, who will also appreciate that help, but in the meantime please send your tips and story ideas and Patch questions to the Essex County Regional Editor Elizabeth Moore at Elizabeth.Moore@patch.com.
If you need to reach me about something, you can send an email to lauragriffinpatch@gmail.com. I wish you the best and, specifically, I wish for very mild and uneventful hurricane season.
Henny Penny
11:22 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Thank you Laura for your hard work informing Millburn about local news. Good luck in your greener pastures!
Elizabeth Moore
11:26 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
You're the greatest Laura! We will miss you, but we're grateful for all your hard work. All the best. . .
Teresa Akersten
12:12 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Great job Laura! Wishing you all the best in your next endeavor!
Marilyn Joyce Lehren
8:43 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Laura, I've always admired your dedication to this job and love of local news. You've done a great job in Millburn. Good luck on everything that comes next.
JTK128
10:13 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Thank you for your wonderful approach, your dedication and follow through on a mammouth job -- like you said, with hours that never end and news that doesn't know when to stop! Best wishes in your next challenge!
Rev Sheelagh Clarke
5:11 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Thank you Laura, as the incoming Rector odf St Stephen's during the Hurricane aftermath, yours was the first name I encountered on the Patch. Your dedication has been remarkable and you made sure that what you reported was accurate. Thank you and good luck in your new venture.
Lynne Ranieri
5:54 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
Best wishes on your new undertaking and thank you very much for all your hard work for the online and real-life Millburn Township community.
20yearmiller
10:07 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
C'mon MarkDS. With all due respect, who are you to make such a pompous statement. She poured her heart into it and did it her way. I'm not going to insult you, but you're def on the fence of deserving it. GREAT JOB LAURA!!
Zoinks
5:59 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I am just someone who has read just about every article since the day Patch launched with Millburn being in the first batch of towns (and it being called just Millburn Patch was the first controversy, amazingly enough).
lindaeagle
10:58 pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012
I agree that Laura did a great job -- especially with the hurricane coverage. Best of luck Laura and The Patch has impressive shoes to fill! :)
Mark Josephson
7:18 am on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thank you Laura for all of your hard work and dedication to Millburn and the Patch!
Dr. James Crisfield
9:09 am on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Laura--Your commitment to keeping things civil and on point was very much appreciated by those of us in the schools. Montclair State is lucky to have you on board--best of luck!
Mary Mann
7:39 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Did MarkDS delete his comment?
I didn't agree with him (I think Jen and Laura both did great work), but would like to respond: Clearly, whatever Laura did, it worked for MarkDS as he is one of the most prolific commenters during her tenure! Laura clearly knew how to engage this reader!
Zoinks
8:25 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
For the record, I did not delete my comment. Jen literally reported on every bump in the road. Millburn Patch has not been the same since she left.
Jack Durschlag
9:46 pm on Sunday, June 10, 2012
Laura: Your 24/7/365 dedication to Millburn Patch was refreshing and was just the tip of the iceberg of all you did for the site. You will be missed.