Michael Sorrentino, Patch Staff

Email - michael AT patch DOT com

Phone - 631-294-3942

Hometown - Medford, N.Y.

Birthday - Oct. 24, 1987

Work Twitter - @PatchoguePatch

Personal Twitter - @MikeJSorrentino

Facebook - http://facebook.com/patchoguepatch

Welcome Video - http://patch.com/A-rh1

Bio: Michael Sorrentino grew up in the Patchogue-Medford school district area his entire life, graduating from Patchogue-Medford High School in 2005. After earning his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Communications Studies from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Michael has worked for a variety of media organizations such as Principal Broadcasting Network's WLIE AM540 International Community Radio, Sharp Entertainment in New York City, as a Production Assistant on various short film productions, and as a freelance community journalist for The Long Island Advance. As a writer for the Advance, Michael wrote a variety of stories pertaining to the arts, theatre, community organizations, local government, school districts, and environment in Patchogue, Medford, and Bellport. As the Local Editor of Patchogue Patch, Michael hopes to show off everything the Village of Patchogue has to offer, especially as its downtown revitalization is taking place.

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 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 see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics

How would you describe your political beliefs? Rather liberal, but I am not a politically oriented person.

Are you registered with a certain party? No.

Religion

How religious would you consider yourself? I'm Roman Catholic and attend St. Sylvester's Church in Medford regularly.

Local Hot-Button Issues

What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?  Positive issues in the community have pertained to an overwhelming concern towards the revitalization of the Downtown area of Patchogue, which has resulted in Main Street becoming an emerging local hotspot.  Unfortunately there are also racial tensions in the community that are, in part, related to illegal immigration as well as lack of diversity education that has lead to violence.  Budget issues in the school district have also brought controversy to Patchogue and Medford.

Where do you stand on each of these issues? I believe that Patchogue has a lot of work to do, but there have been major strides over the last 2-5 years that show a positive direction that the community can go towards.

Fun Fact About The Editor:

Between June 2009 and November 2009, Michael lost over 40 pounds dropping from 211 pounds to 171 and now maintains a weight between 168-171.  For accomplishing this he was featured in a commercial for a personal trainer video game which can be viewed here: http://patch.com/buPrW

Michael completed the San Diego Rock N'Roll Half Marathon in 2:31:11 in June 2010.