Elena DiMarco, Patch Staff

<b>E-mail:</b> elena.dimarco&#64;patch.com<b><br>Phone:</b> 516-551-6007<b><br>Hometown:</b> Lattingtown, NY<b><br>Twitter:</b> &#64;GlenCovePatch<b><br>Facebook:</b> http://www.facebook.com/GlenCovePatch

<strong>Bio: </strong>Elena DiMarco is a 2011 graduate of Long Island University, C.W. Post, where she was News Director of the campus radio station, 88.1 WCWP, and recipient of the Aloysius J. Maickel and John J. Bardolf Jr. Award for Excellence in Social Advocacy Writing and Macaleer Kourday Award for Excellence in the Study of Journalism. She was a contributor to Glen Cove Patch for 17 months before becoming the editor for Glen Cove, where she currently resides.

During her undergraduate studies, Elena was the News Editor of student news magazine &#34;Post Bottom Line&#34; and wrote for Glen Cove Patch on a weekly basis, honing her skills as a budding journalist.

<strong>Beliefs:</strong><i> 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.</i><i> 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.</i><br><br><strong>Politics: </strong>Currently, I am a registered Independent. I enjoy viewing politics from all sides, and reporting important governmental decisions from an objective point of view, giving readers a chance to form educated opinions of their own.

<b>Religion</b><strong>:</strong> Roman Catholic

<b>Local Hot Button Issues</b><strong>: </strong>A few key issues Glen Covers are discussing include: taxes, city and school budget negotiations, and projects, such as the Piazza and Waterfront.<strong><br></strong>

Taxes are an island-wide issue, as Nassau County residents pay some of the highest taxes in the entire country.

However, the Piazza and Waterfront projects, which spark continual heated debates, are topics that are specific to the Glen Cove area.

Growing up in Lattingtown, I remember spending much of my time in Glen Cove. My doctors, dance studio, restaurants (coffee!) and friends were all here. When I moved to Glen Cove six years ago, I couldn&#39;t have been more excited to be officially part of a community I had been enjoying my whole life.

I believe the Waterfront could be just what the city needs,  a revitalization that brings families, shoppers, food connoisseurs and good energy together in one place.

Although I hope to see the Waterfront come to fruition, I can see why there may be opposition. Tax increases and environmental implications are two major reasons to oppose the project.

I will keep reporting from an outsider&#39;s standpoint, and always provide my readers with the latest developments regarding all sides of the issue.