Former Patch Staff
Hometown: East Boston, MA
Birthday: June 21
Bio: John joined Patch in August 2010 as the Local Editor for Danvers Patch. As of Memorial Day 2011, he switched over to become the editor for Peabody Patch, and now he's in charge of both Peabody and Danvers. Talk about things coming full circle... Prior to joining Patch, John spent three years at the Peabody-Lynnfield Weekly News, first as a reporter then editor of the two community newspapers. He graduated from Gordon College with a bachelor's degree in communications and has lived on the North Shore for the past eight years. John initially grew up in East Boston, but moved with his family to Southern Maine for several years and then came back to Mass. for college. He lives in Beverly with his wife and two sons.
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?
As an Evangelical Christian, my views tend to fall along conservative lines on social issues; that being said, I've had people call me liberal-minded on various subjects. Political affiliation is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. Personally, I believe in a political and social structure that meets the needs of people where they're at and inspires them to rise above their circumstances.
Are you registered with a certain party?
I take advantage of Massachusetts' leeway on political party affiliations and remain unenrolled. It's easier that way to vote for the best candidate rather than along party lines.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I would say "devout," but that's only a vague label. In reality what that means is that I take my faith seriously and believe it applies to all aspects of life.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
In no particular ranking of importance — they are all equally crucial to the future prosperity of Peabody — there are three main issues to address in the heart of the city downtown: flooding, redevelopment and traffic.
The current city administration has been diligently working on these problems over the past decade and is now poised to implement some significant changes in the second two areas with some recent support from the City Council.
Development overall is always an issue for neighbors, and there’s still a fair amount of commercial and residential activity underway in this bustling community.
The city is also in the preliminary stages of undertaking major renovations to the Higgins Middle School — the largest middle school in the state.
The following information was provided by the Danvers Police Department. Where charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Check out these local job opportunities.
Check out these local job opportunities.
Peabody has already spent much of its snow and ice removal budget for this winter and it's just mid January.
Owners of the former plant at 128 Rear Water St. had filed a lawsuit, claiming faulty gas work was to blame for the 2006 explosion. That claim was rejected and the decision upheld last week.
Veteran police officer and Peabody native Fred Wojick was cleared of the charges by a jury in superior court.
The mayor and his business council will meet with business executives in Centennial Park this week to discuss key issues for the city's business park.
Here's what you need to know to get your week started in Peabody.
Here's what you need to know to get your week started in Danvers.
All three businesses were caught in a routine compliance check with police and underage operatives during which a minor was able to purchase alcohol.
Trueira grew up in Danvers and was employed for 23 years at the Hogan Center before eventually retiring as the head seamstress at the state-run facility.
The following information was provided by the Peabody Police Department. Where charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the Danvers Police Department. Where charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
Teen with rare and often fatal rapid aging disease succumbed to complications from Progeria on Friday. He was 17.
A jury, which has already reached decisions on most of the charges against veteran Peabody officer Fred Wojick, will deliberate on the remaining two counts Monday.
Check out this home for sale in Peabody.
Check out this home for sale in Danvers.
Despite two threats scrawled in a school bathroom, the day passed by without incident at the Catholic all boys school.
The following information was provided by the Peabody Police Department. Where charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
The following information was provided by the Danvers Police Department. Where charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.
