Emily Everson Says Goodbye

As many of you know, Scotch Plains-Fanwood is not only where I work, it’s my home. After covering all things local for Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch for nearly a year, I have accepted an offer to continue pursuing my passion for local journalism as the Publication Manager and Editor of several community magazines launching in New Jersey.

As excited as I am to take a big leap forward in my career, I am truly heartbroken to be leaving my post in SPF. You, my neighbors, my community leaders, my friends, are truly outstanding. Your passion has motivated me to be the best watchdog I could be and to always write with fairness, integrity, and concern for humanity.

I will never forget the remarkable outpouring of support I witnessed after the in devastating house fire last February.  After the fire, I asked all my readers to give whatever they could to help this family get back on their feet, and to find medical equipment and a handicap accessible home for their daughter, Alyssa.

. I received hundreds of emails from readers who wanted to help – one reader even offered to pay for Alyssa’s custom wheel chair. I truly believe that local journalists have a responsibility to be more than news reporters – we have to be advocates for our neighbors. Thank you for helping me be a voice for those in need.

Thank you to all of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood business owners who let me drag a camera crew into your place of work for my webseries, Let’s Talk Local, or a business profile. 

I watched move from his home of 24 years to a larger tank at the pet shanty,  at John’s Meat Market, hoisted a pint at, and so much more. Working with our fabulous business community has been one of the highlights of my job.

I would especially like to thank former Mayor Nancy Malool, Councilman Kevin Glover, Mayor Mahr, Chief Richard Trigo and the Fanwood Police, Captain Brian Donnelly and the Scotch Plains Police, the SPF School District, Board of Ed President Trip Whitehouse, the business community, and my colleagues at Patch for all of your guidance and support.

Together we tackled stories on the , and a , an , , , and a . This is a wonderful town to work in, but my job would have been so much harder without you.

Finally, thank you to the readers. You are active, you are passionate, you are hysterical (here’s looking at you Holden!) and you keep me on my toes. Pretty soon there will be a new Editor of SPF Patch, but in the meantime, please send all news tips and inquiries to our Associate Regional Editor Mary Mann at mary@patch.com

All the best,

Emily Everson