Massapequa|News|
Local Pastor Praises 'Humility' in Pope's Resignation Announcement
St. Rose of Lima's Fr. Ken Zach weighs in on Pope Benedict the XVI's stunning announcement.

Basics:
Email: edward@patch.com edward@patch.com
Phone: 516-984-2857
Welcome video: http://patch.com/A-qV7
Hometown: Raised in Bronx, NY. Currently in Plainview, NY.
Birthday: March 14. Same as Albert Einstein.
Bio: Graduated from Fordham with a degree in Communications. Worked at two Poughkeepsie area radio stations, WKIP and WRWD before making a strange detour to law school. Graduated St. John's University School of Law and was admitted to the New York State Bar before returning to media. Spent 12 years with the New York Post, the last 10 as a staff writer. Lucky to have the greatest wife in the world, the two greatest sons in the world and a puppy named "Scooter." When I'm not Patching, I spend my time on family outings, watching movies or being a little too obsessed with the New York Yankees.
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
How would you describe your political beliefs?
Are you registered with a certain party?
I am a registered Democrat. I was also once a registered Republican. Although, I lean left in my political beliefs, I strongly believe the ideology gap between the two parties has grown too wide. My family members have many different political beliefs but we are still able to function. America needs to be able to do that too.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I come from a Catholic background although my father was a Baptist. I consider myself religious, but I don't believe in imposing my beliefs on others and I believe in finding common ground among all faiths.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
I believe that most Long Islanders live in the area to make better lives for their families. They care passionately about schools and education, but feel burdened by taxes and mortgages that pay for education and other services. We need to find ways to bring more jobs and businesses into the area and we need to stop thinking of the area in terms of being a suburb of New York City and build an economic engine that can stand on its own.
St. Rose of Lima's Fr. Ken Zach weighs in on Pope Benedict the XVI's stunning announcement.

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