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.
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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.
Demar Campbell, 28, of Allentown, allegedly stabbed Anesha Byron on Feb. 8 in Trexlertown. The case was forwarded to Lehigh County Court Friday by District Judge Jacob Hammond following a preliminary hearing.
The builder, Richard Koze/Kay Builders, delayed their presentation to the Upper Macungie Planning Commission last week. The project, featuring retail space, offices and a personal care facility, has been scaled back.
The Stanford University-bound senior was recognized for her science prowess at last week's Parkland School Board meeting.
The gas tanks have been removed and no fuel will be sold at the new business, at 5204 Tilghman St.
The deck is part of the Upper Macungie company's expansion plans, but it must first build a temporary parking lot to accommodate employee parking.
Work continues on the complex, located at Boulder Drive off of Schantz Road in Upper Macungie.
Upper Macungie Police said Josh Trinidad, 20, of Allentown admitted to stealing $7,400 worth of electronics from Amazon.com in Breinigsville since last month.
Engineer says he's hopeful for a June groundbreaking on retail stores at the Weis Markets complex in Fogelsville, once all proposals have been approved.
PPL Electric Utilities reminds area residents that it does not engage in telemarketing or door-to-door sales for the purpose of encouraging residential customers to switch energy suppliers.
The Route 222 bypass at Mill Creek Road is one of the busiest in Upper Macungie Township, with 65 accidents reported from 2007-2011.
The personnel moves were approved at Tuesday night's Parkland School Board meeting.
Anyone with information on the alleged prescription fraud at the Rite Aid pharmacy in Fogelsville is asked to contact Upper Macungie Police.
Parkland School District officials propose cutting four teaching positions, through attrition, to help balance next year's budget. School board questioned the potential impact.
Parkland School District officials propose cutting four teaching positions, through attrition, to help balance next year's budget. School board questioned the potential impact.
Parkland School District officials propose cutting four teaching positions, through attrition, to help balance next year's budget. School board questioned the potential impact.
Let us know if you see signs of spring in Upper Macungie as we welcome the season with some unseasonably cool weather.
The Lehigh County District Attorney says there won't be charges filed against the driver who hit and killed Jordan Steinmetz, 14, as he walked along Schantz Road in Upper Macungie on Oct. 26, 2012.
The Fogelsville automobile dealer will display a vast sampling of 2013 Toyota vehicles at the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Show at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem. The show runs Thursday through Sunday.
The third annual Jaindl Elementary School teacher/parent basketball game is scheduled for Friday, April 5 at Parkland High School.
Computers, televisions and other electronics were taken over the weekend, police say.