Cate Lecuyer, Patch Staff

Bio I've loved writing since I was young, and discovered in college that journalism is a natural fit. I joined Patch in August 2010 after six years in the newspaper world, where I learned the art of covering a community while asking tough questions,

I graduated from Saint Michael's College with a degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish. My time studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain, was an unforgettable experience, and I have a lingering weakness for tapas and strong coffee. After graduating in 2004, I began freelancing for the North Adams Transcript in my hometown, and landed a full-time reporting job at the Brattleboro Reformer in Vermont. Covering a vibrant, active, very vocal town, I realized my passion lies in community news and putting a face on issues to demonstrate how they affect real people.

From there, working as a beat reporter covering education and government in Beverly for the Salem News helped me hone my skills and enter the digital side of journalism. I started an arts and entertainment blog, and co-managed the Salem News Facebook and Twitter pages.

Transitioning to Patch has been been a great move, and inspired me to pursue the Masters in Digital Media program at Northeastern University, which I'm expected to graduate from in April 2013.

I live in South Boston and have a wide range of interests that involve culture and staying active. I love cooking, art, fashion, yoga, skiing, hiking, running (I completed the Boston Marathon in 2011 with a time of 3.59.57), and obviously spending time with great friends.

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

I'm a registered Democrat. I've always been pretty liberal on social issues, and my time living in Vermont definitely enhanced that. I'm a strong advocate for women's rights and gender equality, and support economic and social justice.

Religion

I grew up Catholic and although I no longer practice, I'm thankful for being exposed to the sense of community that comes with being part of a church. I consider myself spiritual, and think all religious are based on the same premise...so can't we all just get along? 

Local Hot-Button Issues

Development is a major issue in Back Bay, particulary the approval of the new Copley Place tower, and the questions it raises about height resitrictions and shadows in public parks.

On a smaller scale, building codes and zoning remain an important aspect of the neighborhood, with local controls on the types of businesses moving in. Problems with graffiti and trash continue to affect Back Bay. 

It's also a neighborhood that appreciates culture, so there's always a lot going on with restaurants, gallery exhibits, festivals, flash mobs in Copley Square, book fairs...our events calendar is not lacking.