john.dunphy@patch.com
morristown@patch.com
973-380-3206

Hometown: Middletown, NJ
Education: B.A., English, Alfred University, 2003
Birthday: April 16

Welcome video: http://patch.com/A-yLp
John's Pole Dancing video: http://patch.com/A-Q3R

John Dunphy has been writing professionally since covering Sayreville and Edison for Greater Media Newspapers from 2004-2006. He became Managing Editor for Packet Publications, in Princeton, covering Lawrence Township and several other towns in the Mercer County area, where he remained until late 2008.

He has briefly taught English in South Korea twice, in 2005 and 2010, the most recent stint cut short due to a nasty case of not wanting to have gallbladder surgery done in a foreign country. In addition, John has written freelance for several publications on topics ranging from music to community government to his two biggest passions–food and the environment. He maintains (sporadically) a site, Confessions of an Acre Whore, posting reports on the latest open space and farmland acquisitions throughout the state.

Besides writing, John has a number of other interests, including cycling, reading and paying off his student loans. He also loves karaoke (when he can), meditating (when he gets around to it), nature hikes (when he's not taking a nap) and eating out (this one actually happens with regularity). With so many restaurants in Morristown, he's got his work cut out for him, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

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? A left-leaning centrist not opposed to hearing opinions from all sides. Isn't that what good journalism is supposed to be about?

Religion

How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious): Lazy Buddhist.

Local Hot-Button Issues

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? How are new developments like 40 Park going to pan out in the long run? When will redevelopment on Speedwell Avenue actually begin? Will the businesses opening in Morristown be able to survive (especially if multiple types of the same concept crop up)?