Catherine Galioto, Patch Staff

E-mail: Catherine.Galioto@patch.com

Catherine Galioto has lived in Toms River nearly all her life -- which spans a measly three decades -- having started her journalism career with Toms River High School East's Raider Readout, Reflections magazine and TV-21 news team.

While she was earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, Catherine led student media such as Ocean County College's Viking News and Rutgers University's Daily Targum and after graduation in 2007 worked as a freelance and staff reporter for Ocean County weekly newspapers. She most recently served as Special Sections Coordinator for The Press of Atlantic City.

Over the years, she's racked up New Jersey Press Association Awards for collegiate, editorial and marketing/advertising categories. But so what, really. She's just thrilled to be a part of getting the news out, honestly.

If you must know, Catherine is also undefeated at Boggle and plays roller derby with the Jersey Shore Roller Girls. She crochets and makes handicrafts and is often on the hunt for yet another vintage dress.

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 and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.

This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.

Politics

* How would you describe your political beliefs?

I do believe in the political system. My grandfather, Donald Blydenburgh, on more than one occasion threw his hat in the ring as a candidate in local elections, and as a result I registered Republican in order to vote in the local primaries for my grandpa. Unfortunately grandpa needed the votes of more than his grandchildren.

Religion

* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?

I do many things religiously. And I devoutly follow The Golden Rule. I believe you should work hard, have fun, be kind and help others. However I'm pretty cynical and do realize that "haters gonna hate" — what can you do, really.

Local Hot Button Issues

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

Toms River is a place that can proudly proclaim it is the home of Little League Champions, and yet grapples with scandals surrounding its water system and, more recently, its school superintendent. And because it is the county seat, Ocean County issues are Toms River's issues. Less than a decade ago, it was known as Dover Township. If you're not a local, you might not appreciate the size of the communities that make up Toms River, and instead think of it as the thorofare to the bridge to Seaside.

In addition, Toms River faces much of the problems towns across the state face: high property taxes, shrinking state aid, suburban sprawl. And added to the equation is a large regional school system. Toms River looks like an expensive place to live compared with its neighbors to the south in Ocean County.

* Where do you stand on each of these issues?

Toms River is a vibrant community whose residents can outshine the darker news that grips the headlines. It has bred loyal high school alumni, a strong army of small businesses, and a long list of non-profit initiatives. The news that affects us all (local tax rates, operating expenses, etc.) must be told in depth, as does the intimate portraits of what motivates the school volunteer to toil at his cause.

In addition, I believe that Patch's role of reporting on the "how" and "why" of the issues facing Toms River could help residents and officials make informed decisions on "what" to do next to better the community.