Basics

• E-mail: chris.nesi@patch.com
• Phone: 973-477-9371

• Where I Live: Montclair, N.J.

• Birthday: Jun. 17

• Bio:  Chris has been interested in news and journalism as long as he can remember. He recalls an incident back in 1988 as a six-year-old walking with his father back to the car after soccer practice and asking him to explain the merits of a Bush presidency versus a Dukakis one. His passion for the news and life-long "need to know" continued to accelerate from there. Chris received his B.A. in Communication with a concentration in journalism from William Paterson University with a minor in Political Science. He is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in more than two dozen publications. In addition to his print journalism experience, he has also dabbled quite a bit in radio and voice-over work, including a stint as a daily morning news reader for WPSC-FM, which was syndicated to over 30 colleges and universities nationwide. He was also managing editor of the William Paterson University Student Newspaper, The Pioneer Times, An editorial assistant and copy editor at Consulting magazine, and a daily staff reporter for the Wyckoff and Mahwah Suburban News in Bergen County. He started with Patch in August, 2010.

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?

Progressive with some conservative leanings. Love to talk politics and always open for a friendly debate.

Religion

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

Non-religious, but I am open-minded and respectful of other's beliefs.

Local Hot Button Issues

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

Taxes (of course), the development of Hilltop, school budget cuts and test scores.

* Where do you stand on each of these issues?

No personal opinion, but I'm eager to hear and report both sides' take on them.