Goodbye, West Orange

Today will be my last day as the local editor for the West Orange Patch.

I move on with a heavy heart; it's been nothing but a pleasure to cover West Orange and its residents that truly hold this community together.

West Orange, in a sense, has been my home away from home for the past 21 months. and soon accepted the position as the local editor last April. But, after getting to know many of you and the community you proudly call home, it's time for me to return to mine.

I will be moving down to Miami —where I was born and raised — to work for NBC.

Though miles away, I will always remember West Orange as the first beat I covered as a full-time reporter. From the , to the during and the , to the and the , it's been nothing short of a whirlwind covering this town. I hope I have served as a valuable resource, documenting the good, the bad and the ugly.

To the , and for the safety and well-being of others — I will miss seeing you roam the streets of West Orange and watch as you battle fires and keep danger at bay.

To the township council, the administration and school officials — it's been a pleasure working with each and every one of you to bring information and transparency to the readers.

Thanks to everyone I've encountered while on the job, to the avid readers who log onto Patch everyday, to the critics who keep the conversation alive on the site.

No word yet on who will be filling my shoes but in the meantime, you will see some new faces at the top of this site, managing the page and answering your emails until a permanent replacement is found.

No matter where I end up for the rest of my career, West Orange will always have a very special place in my heart. Thank you all for everything.