Art Aisner, Patch Staff

Email: Art.Aisner@Patch.com

Phone: 248-631-7111

Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI

Birthday: August

I'm a life-long Michigander with a nose for news that has served me well while covering communities stretching from 'Tuliptown' to metro Detroit. I spent the majority of my career in journalism covering public safety and government for a variety of publications, including a decade-long stint at the Ann Arbor News. And I've loved the ride.

While chronicling community news is a means to support my family, I am very passionate about providing people with useful and timely information packaged in an engaging and thought-provoking way.

The journalism "bug" first bit before I graduated from North Farmington High School in 1992 and carried me through four whirlwind years at Michigan State University.

Despite my appreciation for all Ann Arbor has to offer, good and bad, I undoubtedly bleed green and white and am a die-hard Detroit sports fan.

I'm humbled by the opportunity to share people's lives with others and still get a thrill from capturing the moments, memories and experiences that often define people's lives and the times we live in.

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

Though I have views that pull me toward either side the political spectrum, I generally like to play in the center. When it comes to work, objectivity is paramount when covering campaigns and political issues. Fairness will be the standard at Bloomfield-MIPatch.

Religion

I grew up in a household that practiced conservative Judaism and am very proud and appreciative of the values, knowledge and moral compass instilled in me as a result. Part of that appreciation, however, came only from exploring other people's religions as a journalist over the years. And I'm still curious.

Local Hot-Button Issues

The high school consolidation controversy continues to be a divisive hurdle for local public schools and their supporters. I've also heard a lot of chatter about local library services, area traffic congestion and water rates. I hope to explore those and other key issues impacting the community, including  the economy.