Bill Gilman, Patch Staff

Email: williamg@patch.com Phone: 978-413-8265 Birthday: Aug. 5 Bio: I'm 47 years old, married with two teen sons. I've been in journalism 25 years at various daily and weekly publications in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I  got my start in sports journalism, but my heart is in hometown community coverage.

I've received recognition from the New England Press Association and the New Hampshire Press Association for my work as a writer and editor.

I attended Fitchburg State College and am a graduate of Notre Dame Prep. I take unreasoably great pride in stating that I played varsity basketball at  the same high school that producd NBA players Ryan Gomes and Michael Beasley.

I can often be found at A Novel Cafe in Tewksbury, chatting with residents and working on my distinctive Patch laptop.

Your 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?

My politics are apostolic in nature. I am a registered "unenrolled" and have voted in Republican and Democratic primaries in recent years.

Integrity and civility in the political process are much more important to me than party affiliation.

Best book I've read recently on the subject is by Jim Wallis. It's "God's Politics: Why the Right is Wrong and the Left Can't Get it Right."

Religion How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)? I'm just an old sinner saved by Grace. I'm a blood-bought child of the Great I Am. Because my Savior lives, so shall I. I believe in mercy, Love and forgiveness.

I try to live by the Sermon on the Mount, the two Great Commandments and the Great Commission, but fall woefully short most days.

As Johnny Cash said, "I'm a Christian. After that, it gets complicated."

My family and I attend Calvary Chapel in Chelmsford. My wife and I are also members of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Society Rapid Response Team.

Local Hot-Button Issues Local development projects, from the Ames Castle 40B proposal to the Tri-town development off Route 93, are hot topics of debate as the town tackles economic growth. The schools are going through a major transition, with elementary schools being realligned and a new superintendent on the job. Construction of the new high school will also be a topic of discussion for the next two years.