Two years ago, I left a position covering Hillsborough to join Patch. It wasn't an easy decision or move: I'd been covering Hillsborough for more than 15 years, living in town much of that time, raising my family here.

But the opportunity to learn the new skills and direction in community journalism Patch was taking was too strong of a pull to resist—even if that meant breaking ties to a community I'd come to know and love.

Despite the change, I've been visiting many of the same Hillsborough businesses I always have, following Hillsborough's varsity teams' ups and downs, hiking in Sourland Park and biking at Duke Farms.

Patch asked me to switch one of the sites I'd helped launch with Hillsborough, and how could I say no? A chance to return to the community I lived in and covered for so long? No way.

In the coming days and weeks, I'll be meeting the new faces at the school board and revisiting the municipal offices, to once again report on what's happening in town.

Community news is a dynamic and energetic beast—and I'll be learning about Hillsborough readers all over again; learning by following the news that you drive Patch to.

Follow us on Twitter and like our Facebook page, and I hope you'll let me know what you like seeing on Hillsborough Patch—send your comments, thoughts and ideas to me at john.patten@patch.com.