Email: thomas.demartini@patch.com
Phone: 610-390-5568
Hometown: Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but consider Middletown, N.J. in Monmouth County my hometown. That's where I grew up.
Birthday: July 20
Marital Status: Married my wife Mary on April 10, 2010.
Professional Background: Began my journalistic career as a high school senior in the sports department of the Asbury Park Press at the New Jersey shore. My journalistic experience is diverse. I covered the financial markets in New York for Dow Jones Newswires and the now-defunct Bridge Information Systems for more than eight years. I've worked and written in various capacities for the Newark Star-Ledger, the Bergen Record and several defunct publications (do you see a trend here?) including the Woodbridge News-Tribune and Cable World magazine. I've covered horse racing for 16 years on a freelance basis for Kentucky-based industry publications. My most recent experience before joining Patch was at The Morning Call, serving as an editor for (the defunct) Chronicles weeklies, as a staff writer and a freelance municipal and sports reporter.
High School/College: A total New Jersey education, graduating from Middletown North High School and Glassboro State College, now known as Rowan University.
Hobbies: Cooking. I love to prepare meals. Summer at the Jersey Shore. Horse racing at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J. for however long it lasts, which may not be very long. The N.Y. Mets, the N.Y. Giants and the N.Y. Rangers. Exploring the Philadelphia Art Museum with my wife Mary and step-daughter Kristen. I like to play poker when visiting Atlantic City and Las Vegas, but I'm a fish.
Favorite flicks: The Godfather I and II. Goodfellas. The Paper. Let it Ride. Heartbreak Ridge. Rounders. Morning Glory.
And now a word from our sponsor….Be right back….
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 editors to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to those beliefs. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that editors' beliefs are on the record will cause them 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.
Okay, I'm back….
Tom's Beliefs….
Journalism: I believe in old-school journalism. Report the facts and report them correctly without sensationalism. Be a watchdog, but detached -- don't allow personal feelings to influence reporting. Be tough, but fair. Take time to investigate thoroughly. Be tactful. Listen well. Allow people to tell their side of the story, but don't wither under pressure from anyone who wants to spin. Patience and dogged determination serves journalists well. Never show allegiance to any team when sports reporting. There really is no cheering in the press box.
Politics:
How would you describe your political beliefs? Conservative.
Registered with a certain party? Republican.
Religion: Lapsed Roman Catholic.
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
How the current state of the economy affects the lives of everyone from property and school taxes to sewer and refuse bills. The cost of everything increases, but people's paychecks largely stay the same -- or get smaller. How do we as a community deal with that? How will local government and school boards, given the economy, squeeze every penny from budgets and stop waste in an effort to minimize tax increases. How will libraries, parks and other community resources be funded in the future under such austere cirumstances? We need to find ways to increase local employment and stop laying off talented teachers. What's happened to the casino monies that were supposedly targeted for municipalities and education?
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
We'll never have to stop paying property and school taxes, but some formula needs creation in Pennsylvania to stop the runaway train of taxing and spending before state and local deficits become as large as they've become in New Jersey.
Giant Food Stores will celebrate its 90th anniversary Friday by handing out free pieces of cake and apple slices to customers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.
Incumbent Upper Macungie Supervisor Edward Earley, who lost the Republican primary to Jim Brunell, announced Monday night that he is running a write-in campaign to retain his seat.
Indoor volleyball at Fogelsville Elementary School and a full slate of Parkland High School athletic events highlight Tuesday's calendar.
Safety Specialist, Accountant, Customer Service Representative and Dry Van Driver are just some of the jobs available this week in the Upper Macungie, South Whitehall and North Whitehall areas.
Upper Macungie Police said someone blew an air horn into the microphone of a Wendy's drive-thru Sunday night.
A special promotion by Chick-fil-A Trexlertown will enable customers to enjoy a free breakfast from 6:30 to 10 a.m., Sept. 30 through Oct. 5.
Upper Macungie Police say Kayla Billman, 22, of Walnutport was cited for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.
The Upper Macungie Police Department will be accepting expired drugs on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Patient Transporter, Assistant Director, Safety Specialist and Project Manager are some of the jobs available in the general Salisbury Township area this week.
As Greenleaf Street explosion case ends in court, another meth lab is busted in township.
The annual powder puff football games, in advance of Homecoming, will take place Thursday at Salisbury High School. More than 100 students will participate in the event.
The Salisbury School District is seeking tax deductible donations of used musical instruments for its students.
The Upper Macungie Community Police Academy, starting Tuesday, will give 30 participants a behind-the-scenes look at police work through the eyes of officers.
Groundbreaking on the planned $13 million Parkland Community Library is contingent upon passage of a Nov. 5 voter referendum.
The West End Alliance hosts the sixth annual event on 19th Street between Liberty and Allen streets in Allentown's West End Theatre District.
Indoor recreational volleyball, a Zumba class and an Upper Macungie Supervisors meeting highlight the week's events.
The high school ladies will play a Powder Puff football game Wednesday night and Friday is Family Fun Night at the Salisbury High School football game.
PennDOT crews will be performing brush cutting work this week on Interstate 78 during the day.
Registration for Salisbury Youth Association winter girls and boys basketball program ends Wednesday.
There's a report of two Bigfoot-type creatures spotted in north central Pennsylvania.
