Linda Sadlouskos, Patch Staff

Email: Linda.Sadlouskos@Patch.com

Phone – 908-872-6941 Hometown – Roxbury, NJ, now living in Basking Ridge Birthday – November 13

Hi–I'm the new editor for the Basking Ridge Patch. I've lived in town since 1998, first on Willow Street near downtown Basking Ridge. I now live in The Hills.

I previously was a reporter for The Hunterdon Review, The Daily Record and most recently for The Courier-News, where I wrote about the Somerset Hills. I'm interested in all aspects of the community, and hope to start some regular features that viewers can tune into at scheduled times.

I'm a mother of two sons, and I closely follow what goes on in the schools. I'm also an on-and-off again equestrian, and have taken lessons at Lord Stirling Stable.   I look forward to keeping up contacts with those of you I already know, and also meeting new people in town.

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? Are you registered with a certain party?

I have voted for candidates from both parties, and for independents.

Religion

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

Catholic, although I have had contact with Judaism. I have friends of all religions.

Local Hot-Button Issues

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Where do you stand on each of these issues?

Most people are concerned about the impact of lost state aid on township schools, and for the municipality. Although I understand that cuts needed to be made in the state budget, I believe that one of New Jersey (and the township's) main assets is the high quality of local schools. I believe that asset should be given priority. From a local perspective, I believe that township homeowners will lose in the long run if their property values drop because the schools decline. Having a good educational system also fuels the state's economy and buys prestige on a national level. I learned that when visiting colleges with my older son, a Ridge High school graduate. and hearing from college officials in other states that certain New Jersey high schools (including Ridge) have a good reputation in college admissions offices hundreds of miles from home.

I think that many township residents also value the green space in Basking Ridge.

The Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce is doing a good job promoting local businesses, a necessity for the township.