Email: andrewc@patch.com
Phone: 516-557-4418
Welcome Video: http://patch.com/A-3xM
Hometown: Orignally from East Greenwich, RI; now residing in Levittown, N.Y.
Birthday: Nov. 5
Andrew Coen grew up in East Greenwich, R.I. but has been living on Long Island since graduating from Hofstra University in 2002 with a B.A. in Print Journalism and minor in History. Since Hofstra, Coen has worked as a reporter for the Nassau Herald and at financial publications at Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications. Coen has also worked as an editor for a Hofstra University athletics blog called "Inside the Pride" and co-hosted a radio show about Long Island high school sports for "Ultimate Athlete Magazine." Coen considers himself a major news junkie who enjoys following politics and is a die-hard sports fan, especially when it involves Hofstra teams.
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. 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.
Politics
I follow politics very closely and do have some strong feelings on certain issues but I take great pride in not letting my political beliefs interfere with my reporting and always strive to be as objective as possible.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious) I was raised Jewish but consider myself very secular.
Local Hot-Button Issues
The issue of installing cell towers in Wantagh and surrounding communities has become a local hot button issue lately as many people are concerned about having these poles erected near residential areas. A major challenge facing both Wantagh and Seaford and other communities on Long Island is trying to balance the importance of having a high quality public school system without placing too much of a tax burden on residents. The lack of affordable housing and rental apartments is also a major problem that is driving many young people who want to live in the area they grew up to leave Long Island.
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Where do you stand on each of these issues? I think supporting one's public school system is very important both for the benefit of the local children and to keep property values high. Districts on Long Island like Wantagh and Seaford face an extreme challenge when crafting budget proposals because of a lack of state aid from Albany as well as not having much of a commercial tax base to work with, resulting in tough decisions by the school board and administration. It is vital that residents are educated about the reasons behind a budget proposal so they can make an informed decision when entering the voting booth.
Police say man approached girl in central mall area of Wantagh beach on Long Island pretending to be a cop before luring her to his vehicle.
Police say man approached girl in central mall area of Wantagh beach pretending to be a cop before luring her to his vehicle.
Catherine Litvaitis is one of 10 students chosen to participate in Hofstra's Documenting Diversity program this summer.
Our Lady of Mercy Academy senior Catherine Litvaitis is one of 10 students chosen to participate in Hofstra's Documenting Diversity program this summer.
Recent incident reports in Wantagh and Seaford from the Seventh Precinct.
Ten new vendors added since market's launch in early June.
Strategic planning committee being formed to explore implementation of full-day kindergarten program and declining enrollment in district.
Music, magic and animal shows are scheduled at Hempstead Town parks throughout the summer.
Organization holding large fundraiser at Mulcahy's this Saturday in kickoff to try and raise enough funds to restore cut middle school fall and winter athletic teams.
North Bellmore strip club owner asking State Supreme Court Justice Antonio Brandveen to change his original ruling and grant cabaret license for Wantagh property.
Pam Naughton Dempsey and Gina Scarda compete for $10,000 grand prize in "Craft Wars" show hosted by Tori Spelling.
Opponents of county executive's proposal hope to bring issue to public referendum.
District officials working toward plan that will attend to needs of kindergarten classes expected to average around 26 this fall at Seaford Manor School.
Board of Education President Brian Fagan and Vice President Richard DiBlasio voted to continue in roles at Thursday's reorganization meeting.
Recent incident reports in Wantagh and Seaford from the 7th and 1st Precincts.
Opponents of county executive's proposal for a private operator at Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in Wantagh hope to bring issue to public referendum.
Longtime trustee to fill leadership position for fourth time.
Electrical fire broke out at home on Celestial Lane Tuesday morning.
Trump on the Ocean project had been held up in litigation for past four years before Friday's announced agreement.
Roughly $1 million project will enable local cyclists to pedal directly next to Jones Beach.
