Email: thomas.demartini@patch.com
Phone: 610-390-5568
Hometown: Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but consider Middletown, N.J. in Monmouth County my hometown. That's where I grew up.
Birthday: July 20
Marital Status: Married my wife Mary on April 10, 2010.
Professional Background: Began my journalistic career as a high school senior in the sports department of the Asbury Park Press at the New Jersey shore. My journalistic experience is diverse. I covered the financial markets in New York for Dow Jones Newswires and the now-defunct Bridge Information Systems for more than eight years. I've worked and written in various capacities for the Newark Star-Ledger, the Bergen Record and several defunct publications (do you see a trend here?) including the Woodbridge News-Tribune and Cable World magazine. I've covered horse racing for 16 years on a freelance basis for Kentucky-based industry publications. My most recent experience before joining Patch was at The Morning Call, serving as an editor for (the defunct) Chronicles weeklies, as a staff writer and a freelance municipal and sports reporter.
High School/College: A total New Jersey education, graduating from Middletown North High School and Glassboro State College, now known as Rowan University.
Hobbies: Cooking. I love to prepare meals. Summer at the Jersey Shore. Horse racing at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. for however long it lasts, which may not be very long. The N.Y. Mets, the N.Y. Giants and the N.Y. Rangers. Exploring the Philadelphia Art Museum with my wife Mary and step-daughter Kristen. I like to play poker when visiting Atlantic City and Las Vegas, but I'm a fish.
Favorite flicks: The Godfather I and II. Goodfellas. The Paper. Let it Ride. Heartbreak Ridge. Rounders. Morning Glory.
And now a word from our sponsor….Be right back….
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 editors to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to those beliefs. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that editors' beliefs are on the record will cause them 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.
Okay, I'm back….
Tom's Beliefs….
Journalism: I believe in old-school journalism. Report the facts and report them correctly without sensationalism. Be a watchdog, but detached -- don't allow personal feelings to influence reporting. Be tough, but fair. Take time to investigate thoroughly. Be tactful. Listen well. Allow people to tell their side of the story, but don't wither under pressure from anyone who wants to spin. Patience and dogged determination serves journalists well. Never show allegiance to any team when sports reporting. There really is no cheering in the press box.
Politics:
How would you describe your political beliefs? Conservative.
Registered with a certain party? Republican.
Religion: Lapsed Roman Catholic.
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
How the current state of the economy affects the lives of everyone from property and school taxes to sewer and refuse bills. The cost of everything increases, but people's paychecks largely stay the same -- or get smaller. How do we as a community deal with that? How will local government and school boards, given the economy, squeeze every penny from budgets and stop waste in an effort to minimize tax increases. How will libraries, parks and other community resources be funded in the future under such austere cirumstances? We need to find ways to increase local employment and stop laying off talented teachers. What's happened to the casino monies that were supposedly targeted for municipalities and education?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
We'll never have to stop paying property and school taxes, but some formula needs creation in Pennsylvania to stop the runaway train of taxing and spending before state and local deficits become as large as they've become in New Jersey.
Upper Macungie Police say Taco Bell, Bazzini Holdings and Parkland Early Learning Center were cited for having four or more false burglar alarms in a 12-month period.
Upper Macungie Police say someone placed mulch, blacktop and rocks into the gasoline tank of a vehicle in the 1600 block of Travers Road.
The Salisbury School Board also hired two sports coaches and two volunteer coaches.
Upper Macungie Police say three male juveniles were found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia Monday evening. Charges will be filed, police say.
Upper Macungie Police say $5,000 worth of tools, clothing and personal property were taken over the last month from a shed at 8831 Turkey Ridge Road in Breinigsville.
Upper Macungie Police say a black bag containing more than $6,500 in jewelry was taken from a Breinigsville woman on April 8 at Steel Fitness Center on Cetronia Road.
Parkland High School ranked 55th out of 687 Pennsylvania high schools, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Upper Macungie Police said two people were hurt in a Monday morning accident at the intersection of the Route 222 bypass and Mill Creek Road. One of the vehicles rolled over after impact, but the driver was able to free himself.
Upper Macungie Police say someone stole about $5 worth of change from a vehicle.
Charmaine Lynn McKelvey, of Breinigsville, is charged with stealing from the 'Ride for Adam,' which raises money for a foundation for treatment and research of Niemann-Pick Type C disease. The preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday.
Upper Macungie Police said Enrique Camargo-Gomez, of Macungie, provided false identification at a traffic stop and was driving with a suspended license.
Upper Macungie Police are investigating the theft of an undisclosed amount of cash from a Breinigsville home Friday.
The Upper Macungie Public Works Department will hold a one-time curbside spring yard waste pickup for all township residents on May 15.
Upper Macungie Police Officer Steven Kress was honored Thursday by the Lehigh Valley Crimestoppers at a special recognition dinner for foiling a January robbery at the Trexlertown Redner's Market.
The 12 Parkland High School senior student-athletes sign letters of intent Wednesday after receiving partial scholarships to play collegiate sports.
![12 Parkland Students Sign Letters of Intent [Photos]](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/112979/2013/04/raw/9d309bf9e0ffe4d639395035e8542b0a.jpg)
The Parkland School Board accepted the resignation of Jane H. Barthold, who spent 34 years in the school district.
The Parkland School Board contracted with Alvin H. Butz Inc. of Allentown for three years of renovation work at district schools.
Salisbury School Board directors will meet on May 1 to tackle methods targeted to close the $740,00 gap in the 2013-14 school budget and keep any possible tax increase low.
The Parkland School Board contracted with Alvin H. Butz Inc. of Allentown for three years to manage renovation work at district schools.
Based on projections, kindergarten enrollment in the Parkland School District will still fall below 500 students.
