By Kevin Coughlin
There is no shortage of local stories that merit coverage. How to get them covered, in an age of shrinking media, well, that’s another story.
Concerned citizens and media representatives gathered Wednesday night in the toasty Morristown Neighborhood House gym to poke at that one.
The event was presented by Free Press’ News Voices: New Jersey project, with backing from the Morristown-based Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
(Disclosure: MorristownGreen.com is a member of the Local News Lab, a Dodge project.)
It’s a pivotal time for Morristown, where construction of luxury apartments is booming yet many are living on the margins, said Mike Rispoli, director of News Voices: New Jersey.
“Are we moving towards a future where everyone benefits, and everyone rises up, or are we leaving some behind? It’s a tough question It’s the job of journalists to press for transparency and for truth,” he said.
Morristown boasts historical attractions, a strong sense of community and racial diversity. But that diversity poses challenges, Rispoli said.
His team noted that more than one third of Morristown residents are Hispanic, yet Latinos “remain geographically and culturally separated and lack political representation” in town.
And more than 60 percent of the town’s housing stock is rentals, with a median rent of nearly $1,500 that is 25 percent higher than the state average.
“The absence of affordable housing leaves people financially vulnerable. Two-thirds of the guests at Morristown’s Community Soup Kitchen have housing but can’t afford food,” Free Press said in a research paper.
Prior workshops were held in Asbury Park and New Brunswick; future gatherings are planned in Newark and possibly, again in Morristown. Organizers hope novel ideas can be shared across these forums.
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The audience included Mayor Tim Dougherty, Council members Michelle Dupree Harris and Hiliari Davis, former Council President Rebecca Feldman, members of town commissions and neighborhood associations, and representatives of organizations serving immigrants, the homeless, the arts and sustainability practices.
Chris Daggett, president and CEO of the Dodge Foundation, also took part in the group discussions.
Participants voiced concerns about gentrification, affordable housing, racial profiling, the lack of a community center, school bullying, and stressed-out students who must work to support their families, among other things.
One suggestion from Wednesday’s event was periodic sessions where the public can meet with reporters.
For the last eight years I have tried to be available (email here, phone 973-944-0530) to everyone. If enough people desire structured meetings, I am happy to arrange that, too.
There also was brief talk about citizen journalism. MorristownGreen.com is fortunate to have some very talented, enthusiastic contributors from the community.
Do you enjoy writing, photography or videography? Feel passionately about Greater Morristown? Have something to say to your neighbors? Join the MG family of volunteers.
One topic that got scant attention on Wednesday was the sustainability of local journalism.
Maintaining a viable news operation to tell these vital stories costs money. If you’ve ever learned something here …
…maybe it was a development story, or emergency information during a storm, or a profile that revealed another side of a neighbor …
… if your family or organization has enjoyed coverage you can only find here…
…if we’ve ever made you smile, or laugh, or cry…
…say thank you by advertising on Morristown Green, or by making a donation.
It’s an investment in our shared future… and an excellent way to promote your product or service to an audience that shares our commitment to this special place we call home.
Morristown by the Numbers
Free Press numbers, compiled from U.S. census data
- 3 square miles
- 19,085 population
- 8,172 households
- 14 percent Black or African American
- 34 percent Hispanic/ Latino
- 46.5 percent white
- 4.3 percent Asian
- 41 percent speak language other than English at home
- 39 percent home ownership
- 86 percent high school graduate or higher
- $75,696 median household income
- 12 percent below poverty level
Thank you both for your kind words. –Kevin
Marge is right. Kevin is terribly dedicated to Morristown and always writes detailed, fascinating articles. His site is the first I go to when I need local info right away. Keep up the excellent coverage, Kevin! And thank you!
I don’t thank MorristownGreen and Kevin enough. He is always willing to work with any member of the community to help them tell their story and cover the issues that are important to them.