Bryan McGonigle, Patch Staff

Email: Bryan.McGonigle@patch.com Phone: 617-895-7568 Hometown: Haverhill Bio: Bryan was raised in the Merrimack Valley and later lived in Salem, Mass., and Washington, D.C. He earned his bachelor's degree in communications at Salem State College and his master's degree in journalism at Boston University. Bryan has worked for local newspapers and regional magazines and served as a Washngton correspondent as well.

Beliefs: Bryan believes in helping people stay informed, because an uninformed public is a dangerous thing. He believes in transparency in government and business and the need for a watchdog media to ensure it. He believes in helping the less fortunate and stregthening the middle class. He's also an animal lover, and he reads a lot. Politics:  Bryan is a progressive-leaning registered independent, but he makes sure to set his personal opinions aside as much as possible when reporting the news. Religion: Bryan is not religious. Not an atheist, just not religious. Local Hot-Button Issues: North Andover is very much focused on its schools and maintaining services maintaining services without impeding business with high taxes. Schools are a huge focus in the community as well as preserving its small town character.