Editor's Last Notebook: Farewell and Thank You

Dear Readers,

It was a year ago this month that I became the Bloomfield Patch Editor and I can truthfully say it’s been an eventful, interesting and enjoyable year.  Unfortunately, however, it’s now time for me to leave Patch.  Before I move on to a new job next week, I wanted to write a letter to thank the many people I met along the way who made the experience of reporting the news in Bloomfield so rewarding.

First, I must thank Mary Shaughnessy, whose kindness, encouragement and knowledge of the town was offered so freely, and was so much appreciated. Thank you also to Nick Dotoli, Jason Bing, Shane Berger and the members of the Board of Education.  

Thank you to Mayor McCarthy and the members of the town council, especially Bernard Hamilton, Nick Joanow and Carlos Bernard, who were willing to talk to me at all hours and help in many ways.

Thank you to my information officers at the Bloomfield Police Department, Captain Joe Pulido (you retired a little too soon, Joe!) and Sergeant Anthony Servedio.  A special thank you to Officer Jose Munoz and Sgt. Micheal Cooper for letting me ride around with them to deliver toys to children last Christmas, and to Pat Marchese and Lt. Jim Behr for helping facilitate that. 

Working with the Bloomfield Fire Department was one of the best parts of my job.  It was great to meet all of you, especially Jeff DeJessie. 

I’d also like to say thanks to Rosemary Vetrano at Demarest School and Cindy Sherman at Bloomfield High School.  For my fellow “news hounds,” especially Jeff Frankel and Mimi Michaleski, it was a pleasure working with you.  Thank you Bob Duthaler and Anthony at WBMA TV, and Steve Jenkins at Bloomfield High School, for contributing valuable content to our site.

Most of all, I’d like to extend my best wishes to the people of Bloomfield.  I consider it a privilege to have met the Pastore family, the Gasak family and Naomi Johnson, and am honored that you let me into your lives.  

Anthony Lauro and Philip Byrne, you guys are the best!  Mark Remollino, thanks for your sharp insights.  Francesco Palmieri, Cindy Chen, Robin Janes, Lerrick Santos, Mimi Betancourt and Doreen Sarcone – it was a pleasure.

Good luck to everyone involved in the township’s animal rescue efforts, including Jeff and Diana, Bonnie, Nancy and Carolyn at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter, and Linda Cubellis and Kathy Miller at Capoochinos.

Finally, thank you to the bloggers, editorial writers and commenters who contributed to our site, especially Sue Ann Penna.  Your insights have made Bloomfield Patch a varied and rich blend of voices and opinions, which is what community journalism is all about.

In closing, I sincerely appreciate having the experience of working these two + years at Patch in Montclair and Bloomfield.  Please feel free to contact me at my personal email address after Friday, September 21: LindaFOMurchu@hotmail.com.

All my best,

Linda