Meet the New Editor of Mill Valley Patch

I first stepped foot in Mill Valley just before the Fourth of July. I was on vacation, but it was really an excuse to check out the area I would hopefully be transferring to from Boston. Success!

Muir Woods seemed like an ideal ‘I’m-a-tourist-but-I-bet-locals-still-go-here’ destination, and it was my first time seeing a redwood tree. On the drive up, a doe and three fawns frolicked in a clearing by the road. I was blown away by the amazing view. Afterward, my eyes darted toward the cute dresses displayed in the storefront windows downtown. Wine shops were calling my name, and the coffee shops – oh, the coffee shops!

It was love at first sight.

Three months later, I’m now thrilled to be your local editor. Why hello there.

I grew up in Massachusetts, graduated with a degree in journalism from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, and have been working at news organizations across those two states for the past seven years. There’s something about covering a local community that makes me smile. I love finding the issues that matter, getting to know the people who are affected, and giving them a voice.

Speaking of … Although I’m the editor of the site, this site is yours. That’s right, YOURS. Patch has transcended the idea of being an ‘online newspaper.’ Rather, it’s an extension of the amazing community that already exists in real-life, and a place for you to further connect with each other through conversations, photos, advice, news and more.

So, if you aren’t doing it already, get involved! Don’t be a passive reader. Upload an event directly to our calendar, without having to go through me. Congratulate someone by sending in an announcement. Write a review of a local business. Add a photo to our community photo gallery. Comment on an article. Start blogging.

In the meantime, I’ve got you covered. I’m excited to report on the important issues in Mill Valley, and look forward to getting to know all of you. Jim Welte is helping to make this an easy transition, as he moves into his new role managing all the Marin Patch sites.

I may have been born and raised on the East Coast, but I suspect I'm really a West Coast girl at heart. Feel free to send me any news tips, and stop and say hello when you see me out and about.

You can reach me at cate.lecuyer@patch.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/MillValleyPatch and on Twitter @MillValleyPatch.

Let’s take everything that is great about Mill Valley, and give it a place to thrive online. Together.