Email: erin.quinlan@patch.com
Phone: 860-371-7679
Hometown: Ellington, CT
Birthday: February 4

Erin Quinlan graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2005 and immediately began her reporting career at the Middletown Press in Middletown, CT. After a short time in Middletown, Erin returned to her hometown of Ellington and took a position at the Journal Inquirer, where she worked in news, sports, and advertising, and remained until coming on board at Patch.

Never being content to do just one thing, Erin continued to waitress for a while and freelanced for The Sports Department and a couple of private companies.

Erin comes from a family where sports have always been an important part of life. If it's not being played, it's being watched. Luckily for her, Erin married a guy who loves sports as much as she does and they plan on raising their daughter to be a sports fan as well. 

In addition to sports, Erin also enjoys going to the gym and is developing a new-found appreciation for baking.

Erin and her husband and daughter live in Ellington with their two crazy cats who they love and adore. 

Your Beliefs
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. We hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will cause our editors 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.

Politics 

I am an independent voter because I believe both parties have valid arguments on each issue. I vote based on the issue and the candidate, not on party lines.

Religion

I was born and raised Catholic, however I have been attending the Ellington Congregational Church for several years now. It is a very warm and loving community of people who want to explore their spirituality. I attend church every Sunday and sometimes take part in the activities of the church.

Local Hot-Button Issues

One of the most important issues facing both Ellington and Somers is how to handle the growth and development of the community. Both towns are former farm towns that had many farms and lots of open land. Now, commercial enterprises and expensive new housing developments are moving into town. Some believe that this is the only way for the town to move forward, while others are worried that the town will change too much. Moving forward without ruining the charm of the towns is something both are facing.

Having lived in Ellington my whole life, I don't want to see the charm taken away from the towns, but I do believe that in order to move forward and progress and not fall behind, some commercialization is going to have to occur. While some are not fans of the large new homes, I like them and believe they raise the property value in town.
Where do you stand on each of these issues?