Patch User Profile for Eileen Oldfield

Email— Eileen.Oldfield@patch.com

Phone— 908-552-9983

Hometown— Hillsborough, NJ

Birthday— August 12

A lifelong Hillsborough resident, Eileen graduated from Hillsborough High School in 2001, having attended Hillsborough schools since kindergarten (but please don't remind her that her 1o-year reunion is in 2011!). She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rider University in 2005, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing and a minor in Music.

After realizing she really did not want to become a lawyer, Eileen joined Packet Publications as a staff writer for the Hillsborough Beacon and Manville News. She spent three years covering schools and education for the papers before becoming Hillsborough Patch's local editor.

When she's not running around after a story, Eileen can be found at various punk and ska shows. Favorite bands include the Dropkick Murphys (she's seen them 30 times since August 2007, found herself on the Live on Landsdowne DVD, got the Live on Landsdowne record autographed by the band and the best compliment she ever received was from the band's bassist. She also has a guitar picks from three band members), Flogging Molly, Rancid, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Bad Religion, The Clash, Less Than Jake, the Ramones and Social Distortion. Though she's not much of an athlete, she joined the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program in 2009, as a member of the triathlon team. She attempted her first triathlon with Team in Training June 5, though lightning cancelled the swim and shortened the bike. She's currently training and fundraising for her next Team in Training event—Nations Triathlon in Sept. 2011.

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 them to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them 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?

Are you registered with a certain party?

I am not registered with any particular party, and do not vote in elections that I cover. In general, I believe voters—and candidates—need to understand the lifeblood of their towns, counties and states (and officials!) to establish their positions.

Religion

How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)

Non religious.

Local Hot-Button Issues What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Like any municipality in New Jersey, Hillsborough's concerns include handling 2 percent caps on municipal and school budgets. The dilemma for each area is the ability to provide necessary services while keeping property taxes down. Drawing more businesses to town has always been an aim of the Township Committee, so it'll watch the Route 206 bypass construction that began in September and the proposed development of the Town Center district. The Board of Education has another stake in the bypass construction, since, once completed, Hillsborough Elementary School will be in the middle of the proposed Town Center. The GSA depot remediation and eventual development is certain to come up in town as well.