And we’re back! It’s a new semester here at Rutgers, and a new year for Camden City. There’s the new (check out Phaedra Trethan’s wonderful interview of Camden’s new mayor, Frank Moran) and the continued (Phaedra also was in Camden yesterday to document a last-minute appeal to new NJ Governor Phil Murphy to save Camden High from demolition). Over the break there was even a throw-back battle about the requirements of renaissance schools in the Urban Hope Act (this brief roundup at Blue Jersey written by Sue Altman — my wife!). In other words, there’s a lot to talk about. 

Last semester, I tried some new things in an attempt to balance my commitments here at Rutgers (I’m up for tenure next year, and have taken on some new and exciting projects), my new commitments writing at Blue Jersey, and, of course, trying to keep myself from burnout (it’s always around the corner when it’s not in the living room!). Last week we had three scheduled pieces a week — a Monday column from Jared Hunter, a deep dive on Wednesday on a Camden issue, and a roundup on Friday. I’m not sure I’m happy with that — in many ways, the blog lost a big part of it’s identity (the ability to respond to current news and stories). So this semester I’m going to try something different. I’m going to try to get back to posting everyday. 

But that content will change a bit. Sometimes it will be the deeper, researched pieces that I featured on Wednesdays. But more often it will be smaller reflections, observations, or responses to what’s going on in the city, state or elsewhere. I’ll highlight other local voices in the city (some exciting developments in the works there!), and continue to recruit regular writers to join me (thanks Jared!). 

But my hope is the blog will feel more personal, more immediate, and more relevant to political moments as they pass us by. As alway, please consider joining me in that effort. This is a stronger place when there are diverse and local voices posting here. And even more so, thank you for reading — this is the 5th year I’ve been writing (and living) here and your feedback and thoughts has helped me in more ways than one.