Hopatcong-Sparta|News|
Mass Schedule for the Rev. John Joseph McGuigan
McGuigan, a longtime St. Jude's Parish head, died Saturday.

<b>Email </b>Brendan@Patch.com
<b>Phone </b>(973) 280-9602
<b>Hometown </b>Hopatcong, N.J.
<b>Birthday</b> June 18, 1987
<b>Bio</b>
Brendan Kuty has been a journalist for almost five years, having spent time with the <i>Daily Record</i>, Sportsnet New York and, most recently, the <i>New Jersey Herald</i>. He graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and public relations.
<b>Your Beliefs</b>
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.
<b>Politics </b>
Q: How would you describe your political beliefs?
I'm the middle-of-the-road type. I'm for what makes the most sense. But I need to hear all sides of the issue before making a decision. So, I guess I'm a lot like you. And you. And you.
Q: Are you registered with a certain party?
Nope.
<b>Religion</b>
Q: How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I was raised a casual Catholic. I don't usually attend church services. I do, however, attend church services on Christimas with my family in Kearny.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
There's a lot on the minds of Hopatcong residents. School budget cuts. Department of Public Works cuts. Revitalization of promising business areas, especially around the lake. Affordable housing. Property taxes. Lake Hopatcong.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
While I'm always gathering information that could change my views, it's clear Hopatcong is struggling to adapt to new economic realities—less state aid, higher property taxes, lower property values.
McGuigan, a longtime St. Jude's Parish head, died Saturday.

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