Email: Caitlin.Mahon@Patch.com
Phone: (908) 783-1595 Hometown: New Providence, NJ Birthday: November 13, 1986 Bio:  Caitlin comes to Patch after graduating from Rutgers University in May 2010. At Rutgers, Cait completed a dual major in Exercise Science and Journalism, earning a Bachelor of Science. At The Daily Targum, the University's official daily newspaper, Caitlin served as a writer and editor for three years, completing her last term as News Editor. Cait tackled issues affecting the University community, including the controversial expansion of Rutgers Stadium and the ongoing housing shortage that misplaced hundreds of students to off-campus hotels for two years. She also covered Barack Obama's Election Rally on Nov. 4, 2008 in Chicago, and led coverage of the 2009 New Jersey Gubernatorial Race. During her college career, she completed internships at The Home News Tribune, Good Housekeeping Magazine, NETS Basketball, and SoBe Beverages and Pepsi Co. Born and raised in Forked River, Caitlin moved to New Providence to launch the community's Patch. She is thrilled to be serving the local community, attempting to cover as much as possible. When Cait is not glued to her computer screen or running around town covering events, games and interviewing residents, she can be found hiking in the Watchung Reservation, hanging out along Long Beach Island, skiing the slopes in Vermont or in Forked River visiting her family, friends and her two Husky-Chow mixed dogs who she misses very much. Cait also enjoys reading, singing off key while driving, watching morning re-runs of Saved By The Bell, cringing while watching the Rutgers and NY Giants Football teams frequently lose, and eating cheese. Growing up as a competitive dancer in Jazz, Lyrical and Hip-Hop, and choreographing for the Rutgers Performing Dance Company, Cait still enjoys dancing when she has the time. Your 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 because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know. Politics How would you describe your political beliefs? I consider myself to be a moderate. When I do vote, I vote by the candidate, not the party. Are you registered with a certain party? No, I am not. Religion How religious would you consider yourself? I was raised Catholic and was extremely involved with my church growing up. While my beliefs are still very strong, I consider myself to be a casual observer. Local Hot-Button Issues What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Oakwood park, economic development and property taxes. On Nov. 2, 2010, New Providence residents spoke out loud and clear, with a majority vote of "no" to the sale of Oakwood Park to Union County for $1 in exchange for $3.5 million to renovate town parks. Now the major issue is the community uniting once again and coming up with a viable solution to repair Oakwood Park. As for economic development, there are many vacant commercial properties on Central Avenue, along Mountain Avenue, and in the Village Shopping Center, which the newly elected Mayor J. Brooke Hern said he would like to act upon. As for property taxes, they are extremely high in this town. Taxes will be a continuous issue in the town, as it has historically been. Where do you stand on each of these issues? Oakwood Park: I agree that it was in the best interest of New Providence not to sell the park to the county. You can always come up with money for renovations in the future, but you can't produce more land. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. I look forward to following the town's plans to renovate Oakwood Park and other recreational facilities in town. Economic Development: I agree that more businesses moving into town vacancies will only benefit the community. My concern is the Village Shopping Center. Driving in the parking lot is very dangerous, unorganized and difficult. I think many residents feel the same way and I look forward to learning about proposed alterations to the parking lot. Property taxes: They are very high in this town, but there's not a quick solution to dodge that bullet. Taxes aren't always a bad thing. They are necessary to maintain our beautiful borough. My concern is keeping taxes reasonable for the residents of New Providence, especially in light of the economic climate and unemployment rate that is affecting this town and this nation.