Mary Ellen Alu, Patch Staff

About Mary Ellen

Email: maryellen.alu@patch.com

Phone: 610-393-0484

Hometown Pittston, Pa. I've lived in West Allentown for nearly 24 years.

Birthday Dec. 29

Marital Status: Married, with one terrific daughter

Professional Background: I've been a journalist for 35 years, since 1978. My first newspaper job was at the Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, where, with colleague Betty Roccograndi, I won a national Sigma Delta Chi public service award for a series on Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, primarily examining how directors spent taxpayers' money.  I joined The Morning Call in Allentown in 1989, first as a reporter, writing primarily for the Sunday edition. I moved to the metro desk in the mid-1990s, and I served as an assistant metro editor for more than a decade.

High School/College: I graduated from Pittston Area High School, and obtained a bachelor's degree in English/journalism from Wilkes University. I obtained my master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, a passion I get to share nearly every month with my friends in the West End Book Club. I love to ski, though I haven't done too much of that since I began raising my daughter. Along with my friend Lori Sanders, I was co-president of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Families with Children from China, and I remain on its board.

Mary Ellen's 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'm a registered Democrat, which allows me to vote in Pennsylvania's primaries. In general elections, I go with the best candidate, regardless of party. In the two years I was not working in journalism, I spent several months managing the campaign of a Republican candidate who was running for magisterial district judge; he won.

Religion

Raised Catholic, and I am somewhat observant. I am, however, interested in all religions. While I pursued liberal arts in my graduate studies, I did a concentration in Religion in Public Life to better understand other religions and to explore the intersection of religion and government.

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Finding a balance between taxation and quality education for our children, finding a balance between taxation and quality community services, such as police and fire protection. Disappearing farmland; open spaces.

Where do you stand on each of these issues?

I keep an open mind. There are no easy answers.