• Michael RatcliffePatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Lawrenceville, NJ

Mike is the editor of Lawrenceville Patch. A lifelong New Jersey resident who was raised in Metuchen (Middlesex County), he is a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen. Mike came to Lawrence Township in 1991 to attend what was then known as Rider College. He spent the first semester of his junior year attending Queen Mary and Westfield College in London, England, as part of Rider's Study Abroad program. Although he graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 1995 (by which time Rider had become a university), Mike chose to remain in Lawrence Township, having built strong ties to the community.

Mike spent 15 years working as a reporter and photographer for The Times of Trenton, specializing in covering the crime and breaking news beats. During his career with The Times, Mike was honored for his writing and photography with seven awards from the New Jersey Press Association, Garden State Journalists, the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the North Jersey Press Club. Mike has also worked as a freelance reporter and photographer for several other publications, and his work has appeared in The Trentonian, The Virginia-Pilot, The Tampa Tribune, Business Travel News and Firehouse Magazine.

In 1992, still in his freshman year at Rider, Mike joined Lawrence Road Fire Co., one of the three volunteer fire companies that protect Lawrence Township. Mike has been an active firefighter ever since and has held several fire-line and administrative positions over the years. Mike also served for a year as an emergency medical technician with Lawrence Township First Aid Squad, back when the township's ambulances were staffed by volunteers. Unable to commit the time necessary to remain active in both volunteer organizations, Mike gave up riding the ambulance.

Mike is a diehard New York Giants fan whose interests include photography, local history, and most British television shows. Mike and his wife Ann bought their home in Lawrence Township in 2003. Their son James was born in 2007.

<strong>Beliefs</strong>

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.

<strong>Politics</strong>

How would you describe your political beliefs?

I understand the need for politics and political debate, and for political news coverage. But, truth be told, politics in not my favorite subject. I do vote, but I have no allegiance to any particular party.

<strong>Religion</strong>

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

I was raised Roman Catholic, but I have not been a regular church-goer in a very long time. I guess I would described myself as non-religious.

<strong>Local Hot-Button Issues</strong>

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Property taxes are obviously one of the biggest issues facing Lawrence Township and the entire state of New Jersey. The amount in taxes that New Jersey residents pay is amazing in comparison to what those in other states pay. With the new 2 percent tax cap, Lawrence Township is going to have some difficult decisions to make in terms of what services are going to be cut. And everyone is going to have a different opinion of what should or can be cut.

Posting Activity

Lawrenceville|News|

Two Arrested, Gun Recovered as Cops Foil Robbery

A Lawrence Township police officer keeping the AT&T Store on Princeton Avenue under surveillance because of prior “suspicious” activity moved in when he saw two masked men approach the store Thursday night.

Two Arrested, Gun Recovered as Cops Foil Robbery
Lawrenceville|News|

Senior Center to Host Lecture on Distracted Driving

The lecture will be given at 11 a.m. April 3 at the Lawrence Senior Center. On April 17, the Senior Center will host spinal screenings performed by a physical therapist from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.

Senior Center to Host Lecture on Distracted Driving
Lawrenceville|News|

Lawrenceville Patch Editor Bids Farewell

Today, March 29, is my last day as editor of Lawrenceville Patch. Patch assistant regional editor John Saccenti will be coordinating coverage of Lawrence Township until a new editor is chosen.

Lawrenceville Patch Editor Bids Farewell
Lawrenceville|News|

Lawrence Police Seek to ID Woman in Bank Fraud

The woman fraudulently withdrew $2,100 from a bank account belonging to an Illinois resident, according to Lawrence Township police.

Lawrence Police Seek to ID Woman in Bank Fraud
Lawrenceville|News|

Stalking, Harassment Charges Filed Against Ewing Man

Lawrence Township police said Jeremy Smith, 27, was previously arrested for allegedly trying to sell marijuana to a man who instead pulled out a gun and robbed him of the narcotics back in February.

Stalking, Harassment Charges Filed Against Ewing Man
Lawrenceville|News|

Police: Fire Was Started by Man With History of Arson

Lawrence Township police earlier this week charged Paul Wilkins, 29, of Ewing, with arson for allegedly starting a brush fire on Monday. Wilkins previously served time in prison for starting a three-alarm blaze in Philadelphia.

Police: Fire Was Started by Man With History of Arson
Lawrenceville|News|

Woman Hurt as Thief Steals Her Cell Phone at QB Mall

The 23-year-old was texting when a man approached her from behind and grabbed her phone. It was the second such crime to occur at Quaker Bride Mall in Lawrence Township in the past week and a half.

Woman Hurt as Thief Steals Her Cell Phone at QB Mall
Lawrenceville|News|

Compost, Wood Chips Available Free to Residents

The materials are available free of charge to all Lawrence Township residents from the township's ecological facility on Princeton Pike.

Compost, Wood Chips Available Free to Residents
Lawrenceville|News|

School Board Approves Budget for 2013-2014 Year

The tax rate to support Lawrence Township public schools for the 2013-2014 year will climb to $2.43 per $100 of assessed value – an increase of about 7½ cents over the current school year.

School Board Approves Budget for 2013-2014 Year
Lawrenceville|News|

Obituary: Nicholas (Nick) King, 42

A service in his memory will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at Nassau Christian Center, 26 Nassau St., Princeton,

Obituary: Nicholas (Nick) King, 42